Text to Donate to our £300,000 Appeal

On Friday 15^th July we launched our £300,000 Appeal, supported by Ant & Dec and Pam Royle.

You can now donate to this appeal by text. Simply send ‘ECSF11’ and the amount you wish to donate to 70070. For example, to donate £10, text ‘ECSF11£10’.

Sending the texts are free, only your donation will be taken from your bill.

If you are a tax payer, you can also gift aid your donation. If you do so, for every £10 donated, we will receive a further £2.50.

All money received from text donations will go towards the appeal, helping to buy specialist equipment for children with disabilities in the North East.

Alternatively, if you wish to donate online you can do so here or if you would like to support us in another way please call us on 0191 2016090 to discuss.

Toon Washed Out, But Kids Have Fun

THERE was plenty of sunshine despite the weekend’s heavy rain as youngsters enjoyed a day to remember.

Disabled children had a great day watching the football at St James’ Park, courtesy of IT specialists ITPS.

The firm provides the Evening Chronicle’s charity, the Sunshine Fund, with £10,000-a-year to help provide ill children with the specialist equipment they need. On Saturday they gave two lucky youngsters a day out in their corporate box at St James’ to watch the Magpies take on Fiorentina in a friendly match.

The game ended up being called off after an hour’s play due to the torrential rain, but it didn’t dampen the families’ spirits as they chatted and enjoyed refreshments.

The two children were Jessica Jade Pearson, 10, from North Shields and Harry Bucknall, 12, from Whitley Bay, who has cerebral palsy. They were both accompanied by their families, who were also able to chat about what they had both been going through.

Jessica, who has received a cheque for a trike to help with her mobility problems, said: “We had a fantastic day and loved being in the box. The best bit was Newcastle didn’t concede any goals. It was a shame about the rain though.”

Harry, who received a power wheelchair through the Sunshine Fund, said: “The highlight of the game was the thunder and lightning but the best bit of the day was being invited to be in the box.”

Garry Sheriff, MD of ITPS, said: “ITPS do a lot of activities that benefit the children in general. What’s unique about the box is that it allows the children to enjoy time with their families.”

Also going along were Angela Carrington from The Bigger Picture, which does photography for the Sunshine Fund, and Jerri Murtagh, from Echo 23, who looks after the Fund’s Tweeting.

Caroll Pattison, fund director, said: “The families get a lot out of it. Not only do they get a relief from the daily grind, but also meeting with other families so they can talk to people who understand.

“ITPS loved it because they like to see where their money goes and how it helps. They give us £10,000 a year which is fabulous. They love supporting us, but for them to meet the children who benefit from the support makes a big difference to them.

“The families also shared experiences.”

Real Big BBQ Fun

Sunday July 31st saw scores of barbeques held across the region for the Real Big BBQ, with donations being given to The Sunshine Fund.

A big thanks to everyone who took part!

Here are some photos from the event:

Bar Boss Helps Sunshine Fund With Real Big BBQ

A generous bar boss has donated a day’s takings to the Sunshine Fund.

Ryan McGee, who owns McGee’s Bar, on Camden Street, North Shields, hosted a Real Big BBQ in aid of our charity.

McGee’s was one of scores of barbecues that were held as part of the regionwide event that took place on Sunday July 31^st.

The mass event saw hundreds of fundraisers hold simultaneous barbecues on the same day, with everyone who attended donating money, which the organisers passed directly on to the Sunshine Fund.

Ryan had an extra treat in store for those who attended his barbecue, as he arranged for JD O’Neill and band, who recently released the Sunshine Fund’s official charity single, You’re My Sunshine, to entertain the crowds.

Real Radio created a perfect summer soundtrack for The Real Big BBQ and their Breakfast Team was kept busy visiting barbecues across the region.

Specially-created Sunshine Cocktails were enjoyed on the day as everyone who hosted a Real Big BBQ was sent a fundraising pack containing the ingredients needed, as well as recipes from renowned local chef Terry Laybourne.

We would like to say a massive thank you to all those involved with the event!

Ant and Dec Bring Us Sunshine

TV FAVOURITES Ant and Dec recently threw their weight behind a Chronicle fundraising drive for needy North East children.

The comedy duo were at a glitzy ceremony in Newcastle to help launch the Chronicle Sunshine Fund’s appeal to raise £300,000 this year.

Money raised will pay for much-needed equipment for disabled youngsters in the region at a time when public sector cuts are starting to take their toll.

Ant and Dec, patrons for the charity, spoke of their pride at what had been achieved – but asked North East people to show their support once again.

Applications for help to the Sunshine Fund have increased by 30% as the economic climate sees vital services axed.

The bash at the Quayside’s Vermont Hotel was also to unveil the Fund’s official song – You’re My Sunshine – by North Tyneside outfit JD O’Neill band Band.

It is hoped the single, available at HMV, will fetch £10,000 in sales.

The TV stars heard from families caring for disabled children before fund director Carroll Pattison took to the stage to thank all guests for their support.

Dec said: “We have all seen first-hand tonight how important the fund is and what amazing work the Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund does with families here in the North East and cuts to public sector funding have made it more important to raise money.

“Now, more than ever before, families are turning to the Sunshine Fund for more and more help.”

Ant said: “The equipment is not cheap and the fund needs more supporters to ensure disabled children don’t have to do without equipment that literally changes the quality of their life.

“As patrons of the Sunshine Fund, we want you all to really dig deep, please, and give your support to ensure we meet every request and give disabled people the best support possible.”

ITV’s Tyne Tees presenter Pam Royle hosted the event. She said: “These are families with a disabled child who have received funding for vital equipment from the Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund; equipment such as specialised wheelchairs and trikes.

“They give disabled children a sense of independence and freedom because it means they can get out and about and play with their friends and not rely on family members to be there with them.
“It is also in many instances a case of improving their health and wellbeing.”

We would like to thank everyone who attended our fabulous launch event, in particular Ant & Dec, Pam Royle, and the Sunshine Families.

The Sunshine Fund would also like to thank Christine Nugent from Business Travel who donated £250, along with several other North East businesses.

To donate to the £300,000 Appeal go to: http://www.sunshinefund.co.uk/

Here are some pictures from the event:

Sunshine Run Success!

Our 10th annual Sunshine Run took place last week and was a huge success.

We would like to say a big thank you and well done to all of the runners!

Below are a few articles that appeared in the newspapers about the run.



And finally, here are a few pictures of our brilliant Sunshine Runners!

A Victory For the Sunshine Fund!

The Evening Chronicle sportsdesk and William Hill wowed us this year and delivered more vital funds for the Sunshine Fund.

Throughout Newcastle United's campaign in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup this year, we teamed up with the UK's leading bookies with a charity bet each match.

The Evening Chronicle's chief football writer, Lee Ryder, managed to score a magnificent £1204.38 for the Sunshine Fund!

Thank you to all those involved, especially Lee and William Hill.