Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation
Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation values participating in the Youth Philanthropy
Initiative with the pupils of Moray. We acknowledge that the process is a
journey for everyone taking part, the winning money is fantastic but we
believe the experience is also about what you can gain as a team and as
individuals. We hope you are inspired by Abbie’s amazing story and that you
can use it in your own lives as a strength to make a difference in any way
that you can.
What is the Social Issue?
The Social issue that Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation wants to help with, is a Child
who is affected by Cancer. 1:400 children are diagnosed with cancer, approx
12 a day are diagnosed in the UK. See www.sarcomauk.org and www.cclg.org
websites for more information about Sarcoma and Childhood cancer.
Once diagnosed there are so many additional social issues such as:
Isolation
Mental Health
Financial
Difficulties continuing with Education
Disability
Family Separation
Aim of Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation
To give gifts, treats and holidays in Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge, to children with
Cancer between the ages of birth – 18 living in the UK and bring a Sparkle to
their life, to help with all of these issues.
Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation achieved charity status on 12th March 2018.
Registered SCIO charity number SC048189 Regulated by OSCR
How do we connect with the families who need support?
- We promote Abbie’s charity on social media sites, Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram and through our Website www.abbiessparklefoundation.org - We network with other local children’s cancer charities to ensure we
reach as many children as possible. Sometimes referrals come through
word of mouth. - We liaise with Children’s Services, particularly Oncology Services, in
Inverness and Aberdeen (as these are the centres that local children
would attend) to share information about how to apply for assistance - We will encourage families to apply for a gift by using the application
form on our website. - We will assess the applications on an individual basis, as long as the
criteria are met.
assessed on an individual basis, dependant on need and applied for by
families or their Social Worker. (Please email us for up to date information on
how many Sparkles Abbie has gifted, or see our Social Media posts).
We deliver Sparkle Gift Bags every Easter and Christmas (Sparkle
bags contain £100 voucher and treats) to the Children with Cancer in every
area of Scotland with the help of the 4 main Treatment Centres and the
Specialist Nurses and Social Workers in Moray, Grampian, Highland, Dundee,
Glasgow and Edinburgh. Christmas 2023 was when we achieved our goal of
reaching every Child in Cancer treatment in Scotland!
We provide ‘no cost’ holidays at Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge holiday home, in
Dalraddy Holiday Park near Aviemore, for families to share fun times and
make magical memories. As well as a holiday families are given vouchers and
discount codes to enjoy the local activities and facilities.
We are the main funders of the annual Children’s Oncology Party
Each year the local children with Cancer in the Moray, Grampian and Highland
areas are invited to a Party held in Aberdeen. The Children attend with their
families and are treated to a Disco, entertainment, inflatable activities, a
photo booth/360 camera, face painting, a party bag with a voucher and a
buffet. They meet other children and the parents get to meet other parents
going through similar journeys. It’s a fantastic atmosphere, when children
who are dealing with such difficult challenges, get to have some fun together
in a safe environment. The professionals and charities who support these
children also attend. This gives opportunities for networking and for special
one to one conversations with the families we support.
Who we have helped
All the local families who have applied for support. Families as far away as
Shetland, all around the Highland and Grampian areas, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Falkirk, Dumfriesshire, the borders and as far as
different areas of England, when funds are raised there.
What does Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation services do?
• Puts a smile on the face of a child undergoing very difficult challenges
due to cancer
• Giving them even a small moment to feel happier
• Knowing that someone is thinking of them and understanding that
times are hard
How would this benefit children dealing with Cancer? What is our
impact?
• An opportunity to laugh, promoting mental and emotional health
• Reminds Children who feel different, that they are not forgotten
• Relieves some financial stress when they have to stay in hospital
• Children and families share quality time together
• Families can make special memories
• Going out encourages social activity
• Provide items to support school work
• Provide items to help with recovery from treatment
• Gives everyone an opportunity to feel Sparkly
• Spreading Cancer Awareness could save a life
• We are told Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation impact is far reaching and long
lasting
Children with Cancer can miss out on taking part in activities with their
friends, they miss out on school, they miss out on their hobbies, and they
often don’t feel well enough to pursue their usual activities. Parents may have to give up work, which has financial implications. To these children life is about living and making memories.
Feedback from families:
The best way to know if we are having an impact is from the feedback from
the families we have supported. We feel the parent’s own words are very
powerful ….
“A much needed break, can’t thank you guys enough for this, it’s just
what we need”
“amazing, he’s a very lucky boy” “utterly wonderful and kind” “what you
have done with Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation is amazing, thank you for
thinking of us”
“she was cheered up by a beautiful and generous gift” “Abbie’s Sparkle
really made a difference”
A child asked his mum to write to us and tell us that he says thank you
very much it cheered him up in hospital.
We have been told that Abbie’s Sparkle was lovely and very generous, by
a family from Aberdeen “he is getting his hickman line removed today and
ringing his end of treatment bell later so he is just delighted to receive this
very special gift today”.
“Oncology Nurse just been in with a Sparkle bag, she’s just delighted,
she’s buying a trampoline with it” This family literally ordered it right away
while their daughter was taken to theatre for an operation. They said “big
thanks to Abbie”. They sent a picture of their children on the trampoline
so we could see what Abbie did for their child for Easter. Their daughter
said “awh tell Abbie I say thank you”
“Wow what a night, he sends his love, hugs and a huge thanks, one of is
best experiences ever”
“We cannot thank you enough for your support, the grant will relieve
some of the pressures from us with some of the money we will be able to
do something nice as a family before his next lot of chemo”
“this will really help us make special memories” “cannot thank you
enough” “what you do is wonderful” “you’re doing amazing work”
“overwhelmed by your kindness” “everything is such a worry but with
amazing people like yourselves it gives you hope”
“I honestly can’t tell you how much this means” “I think in her own wee
way the Superheros make her feel like she can do anything”
“You are all so fantastic, doing truly great things”
“we have all been reading about your girl and your fabulous charity, we
are genuinely touched by this gesture, truly you are being incredibly
strong and honestly doing such a lovely wonderful thing, it is indeed a
beautiful Sparkle from a beautiful brave girl”
Abbie’s Biggest Asset
Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge
This is a 6 Berth Static Holiday Home at Dalraddy Holiday Park on Alvie Estate in Kincraig. The lodge is gifted for a ‘no cost’ stay, to families whose children are affected by Cancer, this means they could be in treatment, in remission or a bereaved family.
There is a huge amount for the families to enjoy in the Cairngorms; there are also activities to take part in on the estate. To help the families enjoy the hospitality and activities that the area has to offer, we support with some vouchers for these treats. If the families need a quieter time then they can enjoy the comfort of the holiday home, which is described as ‘stunning, true value for money, glamorous and a beautiful place to relax and unwind’. Three of those words have also been used to describe Abbie and we feel she would be proud to be able to provide this Sparkly treat for families facing the tough challenges that she endured herself.
This venture will require continued funding in the way of annual fees, rent and upkeep. We will also work with local businesses and attractions to provide vouchers to allow families to use their facilities for free.
Having this holiday home in Aviemore, for many many years to come will enable Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation to help hundreds of children and have a sustained social impact.
What is our Annual Budget
Abbie’s Charity has been fortunate enough to raise on average £100,000 each
year, so this is the budget we work from.
We could spend £3000 on lots of different things:
- Fund the Christmas and Easter Sparkle bags for local Children, each
one has £100 voucher in it (we help on average 35 Children locally) - An individual Sparkle gift or treat for a local Child, average of £400
- Vouchers for families staying at Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge, for them to enjoy a local activity (average of £120 each)
- Provide support to families during this cost-of-living crisis by giving food shopping vouchers to local families whose Child is in hospital for a prolonged stay (average of £100 per Child)
- Buzzys for shots for local Children (£48.95 each and for the Oncology
Ward £91 each (personal equipment to help deal with the discomfort of injections and cannulas) - Funds towards the entertainment and Party bags for the annual
Children’s Oncology Fun Day Party (approx. £1,300 on entertainment
and £500 on party bags)
Please see Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation website for photos of Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge and our Annual Report which will have up to date quotes from families receiving a Sparkle.
For more information on specific spending of any funds received and tips on presenting from our previous experience with YPI, please contact Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation via email at info@abbiessparklefoundation.com
Thank you for reading, enjoy your YPI experience #Sparkle