Northumberland-based charity that makes dreams come true receives grant from Care UK Wellbeing Found

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Dec 05, 2014

A Hexham-based charity that helps to make the day of very ill children and young adults through art and adventures has received the first grant given by the Care UK Wellbeing Foundation to a Northumberland group.

The £1,000 grant from the foundation will enable Josie’s Dragonfly Trust to continue supporting children treated in 26 children’s cancer specialist hospitals across the UK by regularly giving large parcels, weighing about 15kg, full of activities and arts and crafts supplies.

Fundraising director Jane Dennison said: “We are deeply thankful to the foundation for its generous donation. We are a small charity and such grants mean a great deal to us and allow us to carry on our work for the benefit of dying children and their families.”

The charity was founded by Josie Grove, aged just 16, while she was terminally ill with leukaemia. She was full of life and determined to raise money for other young people with the condition. Jane said: “Josie appeared on ITV Look North as well as in The Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Mirror and people gave generously.

“Josie got great pleasure from giving £3,000 worth of hobbies and crafts, DVDs, CDs, pictures and equipment to the Teenage Cancer Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. She took presents up to children on the ward at Christmas and just four days before she died she personally presented a cheque for £10,000 to the Children’s Cancer Research Department at the hospital.

“Now we give cash gifts to young people who are very close to the end of their pathway and arrange special trips or treats for younger children. By bringing some happiness to the child or young person during their final days we are also able to help leave lasting memories for family and friends.”

Belinda Moore, group marketing and communication director at Care UK and wellbeing foundation board member, said: “Care UK works with many people caring for their loved ones and we know budgets become tight for families as people have to give up work in order to care for their relatives. 

“The Josie’s Dragonfly Trust cash gifts give families the ability to enjoy themselves and have special memories and the foundation board was moved by the stories we heard of people’s wonderful last outings.

“The Care UK Wellbeing Foundation seeks to promote projects that use the arts to help increase people’s sense of joy and wellbeing and I think the arts and crafts parcels, which bring fun and creativity to children in hospitals across the country, chime with everything we hope to achieve.

“We wish every success to those who help to make a child’s last days special and all good fortunes for the continuing development of Josie’s Dragonfly Trust.”