Member Article

Hampshire housebuilder thanks children’s charities with £10,000 donation

Employees working for a housebuilder in Hampshire have shown their appreciation with a £10,000 donation to two charities that provided essential support to their families.

Barratt Homes employees, Sales Advisors Tony and Amanda, were helped by Sophie’s Legacy and Friends of PICU when Tony’s daughter and Amanda’s nephew were both affected by the Strep A outbreak at the end of last year.

Sophie’s Legacy, which was set up in memory of a 10-year-old girl who lost her battle with cancer, was a great support for Tony, whose daughter Ayla became ill with the condition. He said: “We were so worried when Ayla’s symptoms started to show, especially as there were so many cases. We were worried it would get worse and were unsure how best to look after her. Thankfully the staff at Sophie’s Legacy were amazing and stepped in to help with support and advice.”

Amanda’s nephew, Brodie, who was also struck down with Strep A at the same time, received help from Friends of PICU which supports the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at University Hospital Southampton, and the children and their families on the Unit.

“They were a lifeline for Brodie,” she said. “My family weren’t thinking straight and had to carry on juggling everything, which can be a real struggle when your child is ill. They don’t know how they would have coped without Friends of PICU, and for that, we are all truly grateful.”

Tony and Amanda both work at Barratt Homes as Sales Advisors and asked the leading housebuilder if there was a way they could show some appreciation for the charities that had got them through such a tough time.

Barratt agreed and handed over £5,000 to each charity as a cash donation.

Charlotte Fairall, Founder of Sophie’s Legacy, said Barratt’s help will make a huge difference.

She said: “Sophie’s Legacy started after my 10-year-old daughter wrote a bucket list of things she wanted to change for poorly children and their families before she died of cancer in 2021. We now work locally and nationally to achieve her wishes.

“Barratt’s generous donation will mean we can continue to provide food, toiletries, clothes and financial help to families when their child is poorly.”

Friends of PICU Operations Manager, Kerry Houghton, said: “This is an incredible donation that is going to help so many children and families. We are currently fundraising for several pieces of medical equipment and for a new PICU staff post, a Family Liaison and Bereavement Care Sister, which is being funded by Friends of PICU.

“We are so very grateful to Amanda for nominating Friends of PICU, and to Barratt Homes for their very generous support.”

Anthony Dimmick, Barratt Homes Community Liaison Manager is thrilled that the housebuilder has been able to offer some financial assistance to these two incredible charities.

He said: “Both Sophie’s Legacy and Friends of PICU are providing an incredible service for people who need it in the community, and it’s wonderful to hear of the support they have given to two of our employees. It has been a real pleasure to hand over a £5,000 donation to each of them.”

Sophie’s Legacy is working to achieve Sophie’s wishes of having a play specialist throughout the week in hospitals, improving food for children in hospital, ensuring parents get fed while their children are in hospital, for GPs, nurses, and health professionals to be trained in childhood cancer, and to increase the funds in childhood cancer research.

Friends of PICU has the aim of relieving sickness and preserving the health of the patients of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton University Hospital, by providing or assisting in provision of equipment, facilities, and services.

Barratt Homes is building new homes across Hampshire. It is committed to supporting local causes which improve the quality of life for those living in the region.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .