Member Article

Freddie's Wish receives £8k quiz boost

The Black Country and Worcestershire professional services communities swapped their day jobs for a general knowledge test to raise more than £8000 for Freddie’s Wish, a charity set up to support families who have lost a child.

Organised by chartered accountants Price Pearson Kidderminster, the annual fundraising quiz smashed its previous best total by £2500 and all the money will be put towards bereavement counseling, first aid training and supporting excellent causes, such as Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Air Ambulance.

Over 200 people attended the event in Wombourne, with Griffiths & Pegg taking the honours on the evening. There was also a charity auction featuring a range of sporting memorabilia from Arsenal, Birmingham City, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers and a special photo of the 1966 England world cup winning team.

“This is one of the most successful events we’ve ever been part of and to raise so much money in one night is amazing, we were told to expect maybe £5000 and was gobsmacked. The total we believe is now over £8000,” explained Charlotte Joliffe, who founded Freddie’s Wish after tragically losing her son Freddie in a car accident in December 2014.

“All the money we raise goes directly to a number of carefully selected organisations that will either help save a child’s life or will support families who unfortunately have to experience what we went through.”

She continued: “Bereavement is a big issue in the UK and we are currently working in partnership with Child Bereavement UK to provide training to education professionals so they can provide better support in that situation.

“92% of school age children will face a significant bereavement before the age of 16, yet specialist training is not given as a matter of course. We want to change that.”

Price Pearson Kidderminster chose Freddie’s Wish as its Charity of the Year for 2016 after hearing about the tragic accident through a number of business contacts.

The firm is planning additional events this year to supplement the £8000 raised at the quiz, including a number of employees throwing themselves out of an airplane as part of a sponsored Skydive.

Karen Turner, Director at Price Pearson, added her support: “Charlotte has had to endure a parent’s worst nightmare, but has shown tremendous courage and resilience to try and take something positive from such an awful experience.

“When we heard about her story, we knew we wanted to be involved in some small way and hope that we’ll be able to generate more than £12,000 for the charity this year.”

To date, Freddie’s Wish has so far raised more than £43,000 and has seen Charlotte’s receive recognition from Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire and Pride of Rugby.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .