Fundraise for us!
Recently we’ve been the subject of a few high-profile events. Our Foster Carer extraordinaire Ben, utilising his status of ‘Wonder Dad’ to highlight the joys, tribulations and vital work that is fostering young people on national television.
Alongside this, EE stores across the North East and Midlands chose to fundraise for us, as a principle charity. An incredible gesture with a remarkable story.
We spoke with Lyndsey Jenkinson, regional manager for EE stores across the North East about why supporting a local fostering charity was so important to her and her colleagues.
“On the 17th June last year, one of our employees Natalie was involved in a fatal car accident and she sadly passed away. It was a huge shock for us and the local community.”
Natalie’s loss was felt by all her colleagues across stores in the North East. Her vibrant personality left a void in her family where, 2 weeks before her passing an SGO (special guardianship order) had been approved so Natalie could care for her younger siblings.
As the anniversary approached, Natalie set out to galvanise her teams to make a difference for Natalie’s legacy.
“We couldn’t let the year go by without acknowledging what had happened. We consulted her family and they agreed Fostering was a cause worth celebrating in Natalie’s honour.
Everyone across our stores, both in the North East and the Midlands could relate to fostering in one way or another – there were connections all over the place. It was a no-brainer.”
So over the weekend of the 17th June, Natalie and teams across the country went to work in fancy dress – celebrating the memory of their colleague and her exceptional act of love, to care for her siblings.
“It had been a bit quiet and we wondered if anyone was really going to get involved. It turned out everyone wanted to keep their costumes a secret, the turn out was absolutely amazing.”
In total, stores raised £850 and we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share how fostering makes huge differences in the lives of young people and the carers who dedicate their lives to the betterment of young people in care.
If you’re inspired by EE and would like to support our Fostering Charity through fundraising events – get in touch via our Contact Us form.
And if you have the space and a want to make a difference like Natalie did, no enquiry to foster is a commitment – get in touch today.
