Charity News

World Mental Health day is a reminder to check in on yourself and those you love.

10th October 2022

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10th October every year.

The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority‘.

Most of us will know someone who has been affected by mental health issues or may have been affected personally.

This isn’t surprising, given that:

Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year*.

1 in 6 people in England report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week*.

As many as 1 in 6 children aged five to sixteen were identified as having a probable mental health problem in July 2020**.

It’s easy to read statistics like this and just keep reading without actually absorbing them, but if you take a moment to think about your families and wider friendship groups there will be a number of people that you know (or maybe even live with) who will be affected.

You might not be aware of who they are – as many still don’t feel comfortable admitting to others that they are struggling and it’s often friends or family who will be the guiding force, encouraging them to seek help.

Of course, it isn’t just a one-day event, but a reminder that it’s a year-round battle for many. You can be the person who could make a difference to a friend or loved one on World Mental Health Day and beyond.

“World Mental Health Day 2022 is a reminder to check in on yourself and those you love”.

*Source: www.mind.org.uk

**Source: www.youngminds.org.uk

Hopefully, this new defibrillator will make a difference – we believe that the more of these that are available in communities the better, especially in rural communities.

A KFA Connect team are Completing a Month of ‘March Madness’ for Carey’s Friends!!

Day 28 – Monday, 28th March 2022

The KFA team are busy fundraising for Carey’s Friends.

Carey is the much-loved Nephew of KFA Connect Directors, Richard & Liz Austin. Carey was nine months old when in December 2021 he was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML), a rare form of blood cancer. Carey has recently spent his first birthday in hospital.

Please help us raise some money for the Children’s Cancer & Leukemia Group (CCLG) for the ongoing research into JMML. Research into childhood cancers is very badly funded and more work is urgently needed to give children like Carey the best possible outcomes.

We can help to make that happen. Carey’s parents have called the fund ‘Carey’s Friends’ because, along with all the other little children with JMML, that’s what you are. Whether fundraising, donating or helping us spread the word, you’re all Carey’s friends. For Carey and for other babies and children who are suffering, we hope you will join us.

Some of the team are cycling, running, some are jogging and others walking – but all are taking on their own personal target to complete in March for Carey’s Friends.

Our team of 6 are taking on personal challenges this March:

• Richard is going to cycle 500 km
• Liz is going to run/jog/walk 160 km
• Pauline is going to walk 160 km
• Joe is going to walk 160 km
• Nicki is going to jog/walk 160 km
• Julita is going to run/jog/walk 500km – yes you read that right, 500km!!

Julita has already managed her goal and has Walked/Jogged/Run over her 500km goal! Well done Julita – you are a superstar!!!

“To me – we ALL are Superstars and we are doing a fantastic job for an amazing cause.

Well done to all of us!” 😊

Julita

Show your support to the KFA Connect Carey’s Friends team (Richard, Liz, Nicki, Julita, Joe & Pauline) and help CCLG continue this vital support.

The KFA Connect embark on a Month of March Madness for Carey’s Friends!!

Day 15 – Tuesday, 15th March 2022

The KFA team are fundraising for Carey’s Friends.

Carey is the much-loved Nephew of KFA Connect Directors, Richard & Liz Austin. Carey was nine months old when in December 2021 he was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML), a rare form of blood cancer.

Please help us raise some money for the Children’s Cancer & Leukemia Group (CCLG) for the ongoing research into JMML. Research into childhood cancers is very badly funded and more work is urgently needed to give children like Carey the best possible outcomes.

We can help to make that happen. Carey’s parents have called the fund ‘Carey’s Friends’ because, along with all the other little children with JMML, that’s what you are. Whether fundraising, donating or helping us spread the word, you’re all Carey’s friends. For Carey and for other babies and children who are suffering, we hope you will join us.

Some of the team are cycling, running, some are jogging and others walking – but all are taking on their own personal target to complete in March for Carey’s Friends.

Our team of 6 are taking on personal challenges this March:

• Richard is planning to cycle 500 km
• Liz is planning to run/jog/walk 160 km
• Pauline is going to walk 160 km
• Joe is going to walk 160 km
• Nicki is planning to run/jog/walk 160 km
• Julita is going to run/jog 500km – yes you read that right, 500km!!

You can show your support to the KFA Carey’s Friends team (Richard, Liz, Nicki, Julita, Joe & Pauline) and help CCLG continue this vital support.

The KFA Connect embark on a Month of March Madness for Carey’s Friends!!

Day 1 – Tuesday, 1st March 2022

The KFA team are fundraising for Carey’s Friends.

Carey is the much-loved Nephew of KFA Connect Directors, Richard & Liz Austin. Carey was nine months old when in December 2021 he was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML), a rare form of blood cancer.

Please help us raise some money for the Children’s Cancer & Leukemia Group (CCLG) for the ongoing research into JMML. Research into childhood cancers is very badly funded and more work is urgently needed to give children like Carey the best possible outcomes.

We can help to make that happen. Carey’s parents have called the fund ‘Carey’s Friends’ because, along with all the other little children with JMML, that’s what you are. Whether fundraising, donating or helping us spread the word, you’re all Carey’s friends. For Carey and for other babies and children who are suffering, we hope you will join us.

Some of the team are cycling, running, some are jogging and others walking – but all are setting their own personal target to complete in March for Carey’s Friends.

Our team of 6 are planning a mixture of personal challenges this March:

• Richard is going to cycle 500 km
• Liz is going to run/jog/walk 160 km
• Pauline is going to walk 160 km
• Joe is going to walk 160 km
• Nicki is going to run/jog/walk 160 km
• Julita is going to run 500km – yes you read that right, 500km!!

“Having said yes to a similar challege last year, I know what I’m letting myself in for – running/jogging/walking 100 miles in a month.

Last year I thought it would be easy, today, if I’m completely honest (having done it last year) I know it won’t be!

So please, get behind our team – for Carey and his family and everyone who is helped by CCLG!

Nicki Smith

You can show your support to the KFA Carey’s Friends team (Richard, Liz, Nicki, Julita, Joe & Pauline) and help CCLG continue this vital support.

The KFA team of 8 are crossing the ‘Run 4 Respite’ finish line, having covered 1044 miles!!

Day 30 – Tuesday, 30th March 2021

Eight of the KFA Connect team are taking part in ‘Run 4 Respite’ for Naomi House and Jacksplace, a hospice supporting life-limited and life-threatened children and young adults in Winchester.

The challenge involves running, jogging, walking (crawling) 105-miles each during the month of March to raise £105 which will fund 5 hours of respite care at the hospice.

Our team of 8….

• Have now covered 1044 miles in 30 days
• Have smashed the 840-mile target – then started aiming for 1000 miles… then we smashed that too, thanks to Julita!)
• Have already raised £1935 (more with Gift Aid) – please help us get to £2K!

£1935 raised so far, can you help us get to £2K?

Yesterday evening saw the last member of the KFA team cross their individual ‘finish line’ with Nicki reaching the 105-mile target.

Well Done Everyone!

Please show your support to our KFA ‘Run 4 Respite’ team (Richard, Liz, Joe, Nicki, Julita, Dan, Jim & Pauline) and help Naomi House & Jacksplace continue this vital support.

The KFA team have now smashed the 840-mile target and have covered 910 miles in the ‘Run 4 Respite’ challenge!!

Day 26 – Friday, 26th March 2021

Eight of the KFA Connect team are taking part in ‘Run 4 Respite’ for Naomi House and Jacksplace, a hospice supporting life-limited and life-threatened children and young adults in Winchester.

The challenge involves running, jogging, walking (crawling) 105-miles each during the month of March to raise £105 which will fund 5 hours of respite care at the hospice.

Our team of 8….

• Have now covered 910 miles in 26 days
• Have smashed the 840-mile target and are now secretly aiming for 1000 miles in March – (oops! Not such a secret now?!
• Have already raised £1916 (more with Gift Aid) – help us get to £2K!

£1916 raised so far, can you help us get to £2K?

Yesterday evening saw the fifth member of the KFA team cross their individual ‘finish line’ with Jim reaching the 105-mile target – with still 6 days left to go!!

Jim was rewarded for his efforts by his family with cards, beer, chocolate and even a trophy.

Well Done Jim!

Please show your support to our KFA ‘Run 4 Respite’ team (Richard, Liz, Joe, Nicki, Julita, Dan, Jim & Pauline) and help Naomi House & Jacksplace continue this vital support.

The KFA team have now covered 630 miles in the ‘Run 4 Respite’ challenge!!

Day 19 – Friday, 19th March 2021

Eight of the KFA Connect team are taking part in ‘Run 4 Respite’ for Naomi House and Jacksplace, a hospice supporting life-limited and life-threatened children and young adults in Winchester.

The challenge involves running, jogging, walking (crawling) 105 miles each during the month of March to raise £105 which funds 5 hours of respite care at the hospice.

Our team of 8….

• Have now covered 630 miles in 19 days
• Need to cover another 210 miles to make the 840-mile target
• Have already raised £1860 (more with Gift Aid) – but we want to raise more!!
• Seem to have developed a passion for taking artsy shots of scenery and sunsets.

£1860 already raised!!

We’ve seen some amazing sunrises and sunsets across Hampshire, Dorset and Devon while taking part in this challenge – as fitting the miles into the working week has involved some early starts and late nights.

We have just realised that many of us have been taking images of these early mornings and evening – so here are some of the photos the team have taken here…

Please show your support to our KFA ‘Run 4 Respite’ team (Richard, Liz, Joe, Nicki, Julita, Dan, Jim & Pauline) and help Naomi House & Jacksplace continue this vital support.

The KFA team have now covered 510 miles in the ‘Run 4 Respite’ challenge!!

Day 15 – Monday, 15th March 2021

Eight of the KFA Connect team are taking part in ‘Run 4 Respite’ for Naomi House and Jacksplace, a hospice supporting life-limited and life-threatened children and young adults in Winchester.

The challenge involves running, jogging, walking (crawling) 105 miles each during the month of March to raise £105 which funds 5 hours of respite care at the hospice.

Our team of 8….

• Have covered 510 miles in 15 days
• Need to cover another 330 miles to make the 840-mile target
• Have already raised £1840 (more with Gift Aid) – and we are only halfway through the challenge!

£1840 already raised!!

One of the team, Julita has already hit her target for the number of miles covered in March. She has run/walked a staggering 123 miles in just 15 days!!!

Our in-house marathon runner (pictured below) was determined to get the job done in the first two weeks and she has done it!!!! Well done Julita!

She is now aiming for 185 miles in March (300km) – there is just no stopping her!!!

You can show your support to the KFA Run 4 Respite team (Richard, Liz, Joe, Nicki, Julita, Dan, Jim & Pauline) and help Naomi House & Jacksplace continue this vital support.

The KFA team have started strong in the ‘Run 4 Respite’ challenge!!

Day 3 – Wednesday, 3rd March 2021

Eight of the KFA Connect team are taking part in ‘Run 4 Respite’ for Naomi House and Jacksplace, a hospice supporting life-limited and life-threatened children and young adults in Winchester.

The challenge involves running, jogging, walking (crawling) 105 miles in the month of March to raise £105 which funds 5 hours of respite care at the hospice.

Our team of 8….

• Have covered 85 miles in 3 days
• Need to cover another 755 miles to make the 840-mile target
• Have already raised £1280 – and we are only 3 days in!

“Having said yes to this challenge – running/jogging/walking 105 miles in a month, I must be honest I initially thought it would be easy.

Today, if I’m completely honest I sit here today wondering if my knees will make it?

Yesterday on my way back home from my run, I bumped into my neighbour (who lost his wife to cancer in May 2020). He asked what on earth I was doing – assuming I must have looked a bit of a mess! So I told him.

I learned that they lost their Grandson 6 years ago to Leukaemia when he was just 9 and that his son’s family had benefited from amazing care from a children’s hospice where they live in Stevenage. It proved to me that we all know a family who has benefited from the type of support Naomi House offers. It made me even more determined.

I watch each day as my colleagues and teammates wrestle for the top spot on the leaderboard of our team challenge with a chuckle, and a slight sinking feeling that they are all fitter and stronger than me! We know it’s not a competition – but it’s funny how the competitive streak in all of us has suddenly come out.

That story of the Hare and the Tortoise also pops into my head… so maybe there is hope for me yet!

Nicki Smith

We will make it because we must!

And if any of us are in need of additional motivation this month we would be sure to find it in the story Joe has written on his Just Giving page…

“When my eldest child Sebastian ‘Bod’ Vavasour was born he was a happy little baby, and I was a typical shell-shocked, proud father, very much in love with him.

At 18 days old he suffered critical heart failure, and thanks to the hard work of the medics and nurses in A&E and then intensive care he survived the night we’d been told he wouldn’t and appeared to make a miraculous recovery. By the time he was a year old, we realised that Sebastian wasn’t making the physical progress that would have been expected of him, and he was diagnosed with Barth Syndrome, an incredibly rare, life-limiting, genetic condition.

When we moved as a family to Hampshire we were a happy unit, finding our way, and having welcomed Gabriel, Sebastian’s brother into our lives. But our lives had also become very medicalised, with multiple weekly blood tests, injections, interventions necessary to care for Sebastian and give him the best life possible, we were put into contact with Naomi House who would be able to provide respite care as Sebastian grew older; for short periods of time in a fantastic environment.

Sebastian didn’t reach his third birthday and died tragically aged two and a half in December 2013 in Great Ormond Street Hospital whilst waiting for a heart transplant.

At the darkest point of our lives, Naomi House arranged the collection of Sebastian from the hospital in London and brought him home for the last time. Then the staff there took us to the Butterfly bereavement suite at the hospice where Sebastian could be looked after before the funeral, and where we were given compassionate and practical help over the next week. They offered warmth and light at this dark time.

Sebastian is memorialised alongside numerous other lives lost early in the beautiful garden of remembrance at Naomi House and we can visit whenever we want.

Everything Naomi House offered to us was given without strings, they and many hospices rely on the donations of people like you and me. I won’t be able to repay them for their amazing work, but I will do what I can.“

The incredible support Naomi House gave to Joe and his family in the days and weeks after losing their son was invaluable and it is important for us to support the charity in order for them to continue to help other families into the future.

You can show your support to Joe and the rest of the KFA Run 4 Respite team (Richard, Liz, Nicki, Julita, Dan, Jim & Pauline) and help Naomi House & Jacksplace continue this vital support.