Children and vulnerable families "really need to be seen" in the cost of living crisis - that's the message from the Chronicle Sunshine Fund on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The charity, which supports more than 600 children annually through equipment provision, events and activities, has spoken of a "challenging year of two halves". There's been joy and delight that they have been able to engage with families in person again after the Covid pandemic, however, they have also noticed a huge growth in applications and equipment being requested due to the cost of living crisis.
Bev Wright, the Sunshine Fund Families Co-ordinator, said: "Our events and fundraising coming back, such as the Sunshine Run, the Great North Run, our ball, and a Question of Sport is all back and that's been very much welcomed. However, what we have noticed is that we have a huge growth in applications and equipment being requested."
There has been an increase in applications noticed at the charity and Bev continues: "From a funding point of view, I think children and families who haven't got access to equipment through our local authorities and through the NHS like they used to means that they're reliant on charities like ourselves to fill that gap."
The cost of living crisis is meaning that families are having to fork out more on the electricity needed to run equipment that in some cases, can be vital to their children staying alive. Bev continued: "We have families who run equipment all night in terms of children being on oxygen or feeding tubes, or having through floor lifts and hoisting systems in their house.
"They're getting hit really hard in this energy and fuel crisis, so they're reaching out more and there's been a massive increase in the number of people approaching us not only for equipment, but for advice and support. I think nationally, our children and vulnerable families really need to be seen in terms of how the cost of living crisis is hitting them, quite honestly.
"I think that the North East has one of the largest numbers of children with disabilities in the country. To be able to be seen, not just a gesture that's made across the board, because the individual circumstances of some families are really, really challenging."
Whilst the Sunshine Fund has seen an increase in demand, like everyone, it has been affected by the cost of living crisis. There have been a "big difference in donations", with Bev adding "It's a challenging time for everybody.
"And after Covid, people don't carry change. So that has an impact on charities across the board when you're doing community based things like bag packs and bucket collections."
However, there's still a lot of positivity, and Bev says there have still been a lot of success stories for the Sunshine Fund in 2022. She added: "I think for us, being able to engage with our families again, being able to do those physical activities where we're getting out and about with them is amazing.
"We've done sensory activities, cake decorating, and it's been wonderful to be actually in the company of our sunshine families."
The Fund has also been working on a project called 'Seeds of Hope,' exploring supporting young children in primary and secondary school in understanding that everybody's different. Bev finished: "Everybody has skills and has strengths and people are who they are meant to be, and we need to celebrate that diversity in the North East as something we do well."
The Chronicle Sunshine Fun is hosting the Santa Bus, a fully accessible double decker bus where everyone can meet Santa, on Northumberland Street from December 12- 18. To find out more about the Chronicle Sunshine Fund, visit the website.
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