A few months ago Carlisle United set fans the challenge of making a dream come true for one child at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, this Christmas and we are delighted to announce your support helped to spread the festive magic to a local family over the festive period.
With your generosity Alesha, her dad, siblings and carer are heading to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London for a memorable Christmas time treat.
The club are also delighted to be welcoming Alesha and her family to tomorrow’s match, we hope you have a brilliant day.
From exciting fairground rides and ice skating to charming Christmas markets and family shops, Alesha and her family will make lots of magical Christmas memories to last a lifetime during the two-day trip to the capital.
Your support helped make the experience possible by funding accommodation, travel and a range of suitable activities during the visit.
Chris Bray, Head of Marketing and Fundraising at Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice said: “It has been fantastic working with David Holdsworth and the club on this project to create special memories for one of our families.
“We would like to thank everyone who generously donated towards the campaign and a special thank you to Donald Marks for his fantastic support and fundraising exploits on his rickshaw that raised almost £2,000.
“We know Alesha and her family will have a magical time in London and cannot wait to hear about the trip when they return.”
United’s Director of Football David Holdsworth said: “This is something we wanted to make happen and we’re all very proud that it has now come together. We took advice from Jigsaw on the content of the trip and we’re delighted that we’ll be sending Alesha and her family to London on a VIP trip.
“We’re making sure they get first class treatment from the moment they get picked up, with some executive travel lined up to get them to the station, and they’ll enjoy a quality train journey and stay in a lovely hotel. They’ll be going to the London Zoo, Sea Life Centre and the London Eye, as well as seeing the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
“It will be nice for us to have Alesha and her family as guests for the game tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to showing them around the stadium and welcoming them into our hospitality areas.
“I’d like to thank everybody who has contributed towards making this such a wonderful and memorable experience for this very deserving young lady. It’s a great way to start things off as the club commits to working with a number of charities and good causes going forward.”
Jigsaw is the only children’s hospice in Cumbria. From Workington to Appleby, Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle, Jigsaw provides unique care and support to children and young adults with life limiting illnesses.
The Jigsaw care team include highly skilled nurses, health care assistants and activity co-ordinators to provide individualised, complex nursing and therapeutic support for each and every child and young adult who needs it – giving the chance to have the childhood experiences we want for all children. Jigsaw’s care is offered for free and without obligation.
Rachael Kegg, Nurse Team Leader at Jigsaw, commented: “All the care and activities provided here at Jigsaw require funding from the generous support of the local community. From a single donation to running marathons and much, much more, your support really does make a huge difference.”
Anyone interested in Paying for a Day for Jigsaw care (which is £2,126.46) can find out more details at www.jigsawhospice.org/support-us/pay-for-a-day
Alternatively, you can make a difference today by sending a text donation, all you have to do is text JIGSAW to 70500 and give £5. Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice receives 100% of the donation.
(Always ask the bill payers permission. Texts cost your donation plus standard network rate message).