Together for Short lives is lighting up landmarks across London tonight (25 October) with their trademark butterfly in a bid to attract the attention of Morrisons employees.
The UK charity is calling on Morrisons staff to make good things happen for families caring for seriously ill children, by voting for Together for Short Lives as their new charity partner.
By putting a spotlight on major locations like Marble Arch, Together for Short Lives hopes to gain the attention of Morrisons’ staff, so they too can shine a light on UK’s 99,000 seriously ill children and their families, and the lifeline children’s hospices they rely on.
Out of more than 100 charities to apply, a relatively small charity with a big heart, Together for Short Lives, has made it into the final two charities to be the supermarket giant, Morrisons, charity partner. The result is decided by a Morrisons staff vote and the winning charity will enter a three-year partnership aiming to raise around £10 million.
Staff have until 27 October to vote for their new charity partner, so tonight’s stunt aims to secure those all-important final votes.
A partnership between Morrisons and Together for Short Lives would be transformational – raising vital funds for children’s hospices across the UK so they can provide a lifeline for families with a child who will die young.
A partnership with Morrisons and Together for Short Lives would impact on local children’s hospices such as Keech Hospice care in Luton. The hospice supports children like Amelia, who was diagnosed with a rare life-limiting condition when she was just two and a half weeks old. Amelia’s mother Emily has found coming to the hospice a great support and a lifeline.
“Going to Keech for the first time was a big turning point for me, it was from then that I got even more strength to cope and just be with my family. When your child has a life-limiting illness every day is a struggle. You are met with sheer joy that can suddenly be turned into pain and hurt in a second. But Keech are always on hand.”
We plan to shine the butterfly near St Paul’s Cathedral at 7:30 PM for about 45 minutes, moving on to All souls, next to the BBC building at 8:30 until 9PM, culminating at Marble Arch at 10:15 until 11PM.
We are calling everyone to come, take part, snap a photo, and share on social media so we can reach out to Morrisons employees to vote for Together for Short Lives – the only charity supporting the UK’s 54 children’s hospices, including local London children’s hospices like Keech Hospice Care, Richard House Children’s Hospice, Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Haven House Children’s Hospice and more.
Andy Fletcher Chief Executive at Together for Short Lives highlights the difference this partnership would make.
“Families of seriously ill children are pushed to their limits every day. Their local children’s hospice provides them with the time and space they need to make precious memories that last a lifetime – the chance to be parents, not carers. At the same time, children’s hospices are struggling to meet demand, as the number of seriously ill children in the UK is growing, meaning more families are having to cope alone. A partnership with Morrisons will make good things happen – enabling hospices to provide lifeline support to even more families who need them right in the heart of our community”.
But we really need your support to make it happen. Come along and see the light of hope for yourself. Join in the fun, share your photos on social media and if you work for Morrisons or know someone who does, please choose Together for Short Lives as your next charity partner in the staff vote.
A vote for Together for Short Lives is a vote for your local children’s hospice and for children like Amelia.
