My final edition of the year.

As I take a moment to reflect on the past 12 months, I can’t help but smile and feel incredibly grateful for the amazing support that has made 2023 a memorable year for Harry's Rainbow. The kindness and generosity of so many companies and individuals has been the driving force behind numerous fundraising events, allowing us to give bereaved children a brighter tomorrow.

From marathons to the London to Brighton cycle ride, the tallest abseil in Europe, and our annual colour run, each fundraising event has been a testament to the compassionate spirit of individuals and companies in and around Milton Keynes. I want to say a heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, donated, and lent your support.

The Year in Numbers

None of it would be possible with YOU!

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our trustees, corporate sponsors, Harry's Heroes, volunteers, and individuals who organised and participated in all of our fundraising initiatives. Your collective efforts have enabled Harry's Rainbow to provide crucial support to our beneficiaries, offering therapeutic mentoring, rainbow groups, memory boxes, trips, and our annual rainbow retreat.

?2023 has been a great year for us in terms of recognition for the work that we do. Most notably, Harry’s Rainbow was selected as a Mayor of Milton Keynes Charity of the Year. This means so much and I’m really enjoying working closely with the Mayor and Mayoress. Their support and commitment to attending our many events and raising awareness of Harry’s Rainbow is so appreciated.

We also won 2 awards at the SME MK and Buckinghamshire award for Positive Impact & Community Business and I was honoured to collect my MBE for services to bereaved children and their families in MK which was presented to me by Princess Anne. I also won Entrepreneur of the Year Business Achievement Award & Women Leaders Community Impact - Employed award. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of the entire Harry's Rainbow team and means that we continue to raise awareness of the charity and the work that we do.

How your kindness and generosity has helped

This year, we’ve helped over 400 bereaved children and their families by providing therapeutic mentoring, rainbow groups memory boxes, trips and our annual rainbow retreat.

Also.....

• 150 individuals attended a trip to Alton Towers
• 84 children and young people attended our summer beneficiary event
• 145 individuals (children, young people and their parents and caregivers) enjoyed our Christmas celebration?
• More than 200 individuals watched the pantomime and enjoyed a pre-theatre meet up at Hotel la Tour
• 58 children and their families visited Santa at Centre MK?
• 28 hampers have been passed onto families, with a further 10 receiving voucher packs, supporting 69 children and young people in total

The children and their families are always so grateful for these experiences. To see the smile on our beneficiaries faces when they receive a Christmas hamper, make friends with another bereaved family or experience the joy of our Rainbow retreat means the world to me. I also see the relief on the families faces when they’re supported through some of the toughest times with us by their side, gently supporting them. They’re always so thankful and in awe of the kindness and generosity shown by you, our supporters.?

Looking forward to 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, I’m excited about the upcoming activities, including the half marathon in March, annual colour run in June, Franklins ￡50 challenge and our annual celebration awards for our volunteers!

?If you’d like to support us in 2024, please visit our brand new website to find out about the different ways you can get involved. We’d love to have you join us on one of our planned activities or suggest other ways that you can support - both personally and at a corporate level.

?Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone who supported Harry's Rainbow in 2023. We hope to have you alongside us in 2024 as we continue to run, jump, climb, dance, ride and more, all in the spirit of providing valuable support through Harry's Rainbow.

Thank you FUMO

In a world were paying for things with cash is becoming less common, it is hard for charities to receive loose change donations. Therefore, we have partnered up with FUMO to help make donating easier. They have created an easy system to generate bespoke QR codes for our campaigns, allowing us to track where all donations come from and for you to donate safely through your devices. Check out how easy it is and make a donation to support our Christmas activities, today!