Online voting has officially opened for the public to decide which out of three finalists will become Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2022.
Red Funnel’s colleagues have had their say already and shortlisted three worthy contenders: Young Lives Vs Cancer, Royal National Institute of Blind People and Independent Arts.
The public now have until midnight on Tuesday 25th Jan to visit the Website and submit their vote for the charity they would like to see Red Funnel support this year.
Eighth year of the scheme
Fran Collins, Chief Executive of Red Funnel, said,
“We are excited to announce the opening of our Charity of the Year vote to the public. This year marks the eighth year we have offered the Charity of the Year scheme. In that time, we have worked with some superb charities, and we can’t wait to welcome our next one on board.
“The past 18 months have been particularly challenging and have made it harder than ever for charities to raise funds, so it’s more important than ever before to play our part in supporting charities who impact our local community.
“No matter what the outcome of this year’s vote, we look forward to supporting whomever the public chooses and helping to make a difference in 2022.”
About the finalists, in their own words
Independent Arts
Independent Arts is a small Isle of Wight charity, which for the past 35 years has been tackling loneliness and vulnerability, through quality art-based programmes. We support islanders ages 4 to 104 years old, working with dozens of professional artists and volunteers to deliver music, singing, storytelling, photography and all kinds of visual or performance arts where it’s needed most.
On a weekly basis, we organise Singabout sessions all over the Island, therapeutic dance classes, and voice sessions for patients with neurological and respiratory illnesses – along with 200 workshops for wellbeing in over 40 care homes tackling dementia and loneliness.
Increasingly, we also work with disadvantaged children and young people, including young carers and many with mental health issues, to help creatively unlock talent, improve low self-esteem, and enhance wellbeing.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has supported Isle of Wight residents for over seven years. Our dedicated Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) is based at Saint Mary’s Hospital and is there every step of the way for Isle of Wight residents who need support. Providing vital emotional and practical support, our ECLO means nobody has to face sight loss alone on the Isle of Wight.
However, with the impact of the pandemic, the Eye Clinic now has the longest waiting times in the country for an appointment, meaning many patients will have suffered avoidable and irreversible sight loss or damage to their sight.
This service needs help, and with Red Funnel’s support, the RNIB can ensure it continues to be there for Isle of Wight residents in their time of need. A vote for RNIB is a vote to keep this vital service running for 2022.
Young Lives vs Cancer
If selected, funds raised will hugely help Young Lives vs Cancer support children and young people with cancer in their families on the Isle of Wight. When a child is diagnosed with cancer it threatens everything, for them and their family. For families facing this on the Isle of Wight, this means treatment at the nearest specialist hospital Southampton General Hospital, where our dedicated Young Lives vs Cancer social care team is based.
They provide specialist and bespoke support to help families who are experiencing everything cancer throws at them. It could be a financial grant for a parent struggling to keep their child warm through their treatment or for a young person who can’t afford to get to hospital, or helping a family stay together by staying at the ‘Home from Home’ Jean’s House, a free place for families to stay close to hospital when their child is receiving treatment.
The team supported over 200 families from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire in the past year, without government funding. They can only provide this vital support thanks to the kindness of others.
News shared by Sophie on behalf of Red Funnel. Ed
