Dates announced for Remember A Charity Week [THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL Remember A Charity Week
campaign will take place from 5-11 September. The week acts as a focus to encouraging more people to consider leaving a gift to charity in their will, after taking care of loved ones. It is organised by umbrella group Remember A Charity, which brings together 200 of the UK's favourite charities to help them continue their good work, long into the future. Leaving a gift in your will to charity, after taking care of family and friends, is the ultimate way to pass on something wonderful for generations to come, Remember A Charity says. Even a small amount can make a huge difference. Past Remember A Charity Week events have employed eye-catching campaigns to promote the message – including sky-diving seniors, a charity-powered search engine and even the reforming of The Wombles! Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, has commented: “Raising more than £3bn for good causes annually, legacies are a critical part of the UK fundraising landscape; but we shouldn’t be afraid of injecting a little humour into the way we talk about them with supporters. Legacies have a huge impact on the world and the more approachable we can make the topic the better.” The week is supported by charities and will-writers alike, helping solicitors and other legacy professionals to get the message across. The coming months will see more details emerging on what is planned for this year’s event. q
Saving lives one sniff at a time [HYPO HOUNDS provide a
viable health care alternative for children and their families by training a Diabetic Alert Dog to detect the subtle changes in the child’s blood sugar levels. The dogs are trained to alert parents when the child’s sugar levels drop dangerously low or rise too high. This not only impacts on the child but also on the family’s ability to function as a unit, with the registered carer becoming the dog. Hypo Hounds work is becoming nationally recognised and is literally saving the lives of children – one sniff at a time. q
Reducing isolation amongst young cancer patients
[YOUTH CANCER TRUST provides secure online support
activities and residential holidays for young people living with cancer in the UK. Both provide a safe place for young people to share their experience and reduce the sense of isolation that so many face. According to the charity: “What’s extraordinary is that 83% of young people diagnosed with cancer experience loneliness during and after treatment, and nearly four in five of them want to interact online with other young people in similar situations.” Young cancer patient Joely said: “I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without the support of Youth Cancer Trust these last few years, I’d have been in a very lonely place. You’ve made so much effort to keep us all together whilst going through treatment. To have friends and you for support at the touch of a button anytime has meant the absolute world! Thank you.” q • For more information visit www.youthcancertrust.org
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