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Trusts and foundations

The National Lottery Community Fund

 780 400 Hannah Myers
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Earlier this year we were delighted to receive a 12-month grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, to help fund Spread a Smile’s virtual music groups for seriously ill children.   

Grants from Trusts and Foundations are a vital source of funding for Spread a Smile, supporting targeted service provision, innovation and long-term planning for the charity.   

Our virtual sessions, enable children and their siblings to enjoy visits with our entertainers from any setting, wherever they are. We run four virtual music groups a week, tailored for younger children (aged 5–10), older children and teenagers (11+), and their siblings. Activities include singing, sensory music, and child-led song requests, ensuring inclusivity and creativity.  

Trusts and Foundations Manager, Kuljeet de Souza shared, “The sessions aim to support some of the most isolated children who are unable to attend school or see friends due to serious illness, immunocompromised conditions, or hospital stays. This isolation often leads to anxiety, depression, and developmental delays, with the virtual sessions offering moments of joy and connection, helping children cope with trauma and fear.” 

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players to support charities, community groups, and projects across the UK, helping people and communities to thrive.  

Julie Galano, Head of National Lottery Awards for All at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: 

“We’re proud to support this important project from Spread a Smile that we hope will bring moments of joy to children who are navigating some of life’s toughest challenges.  

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, over £17,000 will help to create a supportive and uplifting environment for children, bringing positivity and connection, and making their stay in hospital a little easier and less isolating. 

We are rooted in communities across the UK, covering every postcode; we are here for everyone and especially for those who need us the most.” 

We are extremely grateful for their support, helping ensure that our music groups continue to bring respite and fun to seriously ill children and their families when it’s needed most.  

If you know of a Trust of Foundation that can support Spread a Smile, we’d love to hear from you. Please email Kuljeet de Souza at kuljeet@spreadasmile.org to find out more.  

The Clarkson Foundation funds hospital visits

 780 400 Susie
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As a charity which doesn’t receive any government funding, we rely completely on the support of companies, organisations and individuals to fund our vital work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

One such organisation is The Clarkson Foundation, which last year made a generous donation to enable Spread as Smile to make 120 hospital visits, helping to spread smiles to over 1,900 children and their families.

Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive for Spread a Smile said, “Donations from Trusts and Foundations specifically enable us to directly fund certain areas of our work, ensuring the continuation of those services into the future. We are extremely grateful to The Clarkson Foundation for helping us to reach so many children in hospital and their families when they need us most.”

The Clarkson Foundation aims to make a tangible difference and a lasting impact across communities through meaningful grant-giving to causes that they feel passionate about. In the run-up to Christmas 2023, The Clarkson Foundation further extended their support to us by funding the purchase of presents to send out to the children and families over Christmas time.

Dharani Sridharan, Trustee of The Clarkson Foundation said, “We are incredibly proud to be supporting Spread a Smile and their commitment to deliver joy to young patients and their families. The energy and positivity that Spread a Smile provides is inspirational and we hope it brings the children and their families some enjoyment and support them.”

A huge thank you to all our friends at The Clarkson Foundation for their kindness and support. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

If you are part of a Trust or Foundation, or know of one that might be able to support Spread a Smile, we’d love to hear from you. Please do reach out at fundraising@spreadasmile.org – thank you.