A £2,000 donation has been awarded to Bridgend-headquartered Y Bont, through Gallagher’s Community Fund, a company-wide initiative which invites colleagues to nominate UK charities to receive vital funding.
Y Bont is a specialist day nursery and family centre, providing a range of practical, social and emotional support services for disabled children and their families. Established in 1997, the centre accommodates children from six weeks old with a range of disabilities and medical needs, including those with autism, Down syndrome, visual or hearing impairments, and children with challenging behaviours and complex medical conditions.
The donation will go towards funding the provision of childcare practitioners who look after the children at the centre, and who play a valuable role in helping the children’s development on a physical, emotional and educational level.
Julia Shaw, Fundraising & Marketing Manager, Y Bont, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Gallagher for this fantastic donation towards our work with disabled children and their families. We do not receive any government or statutory funding and we have to raise £300,000 to keep our doors open each year. This donation will help to enable our children to play and learn in a safe, stimulating and fun environment.”
An additional £2,000 has been donated to Kids Cancer Charity, which aims to improve the quality of life for children affected by cancer-related illnesses. The charity, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Swansea, provides support services for children and their families in South Wales as well as offering befriending services for cancer patients, and organising play therapy sessions.
Rosemarie Davies, Appeals Officer, Kids Cancer Charity, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this support from Gallagher, which will enable us to send four families on a respite break. This will enable the family to bond again, and create special memories to last a lifetime. A massive thank you.”
A further £2,000 was donated to YoungMinds, a leading UK charity committed to improving the mental health of children and young people, through organising campaigns, undertaking research and helping to influence policy and practice. The charity, founded in 1993, also provides support to parents and young people through a dedicated helpline, as well as offering online resources, training and development programmes for professionals working with children and young people, and carrying out mental health awareness sessions in schools.
Michelle Kerrigan, Development Manager, YoungMinds, said: “We’re very grateful that Gallagher is supporting YoungMinds. The money raised is needed now more than ever in our fight for the mental health of children and young people across the UK.”
Mike Jones, Wales Regional Managing Director, Gallagher, added “As a community broker, a commitment to playing an active role in the areas where we are based and supporting these marvellous good causes remains an important part of what we do. We have all endured a year like no other, and each of these three charities have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting people. Their work is fantastic and makes a huge impact to the people they support, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to help.”
