insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 09 - November 2015 | Page 95

CHARITY Rockinghorse Children’s Charity www.rockinghorse.org.uk Who do you help? Here at Rockinghorse Children’s Charity our aim is to improve the lives of sick children throughout Sussex. We raise money for lifesaving and cutting-edge medical equipment whilst ensuring that children are treated in an environment better suited to their needs. What services do you provide? Working in partnership with the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (the Alex) in Brighton, the Trevor Mann Baby Unit (TMBU) also in Brighton, and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Haywards Heath, we strive to make services stimulating, cutting-edge and accessible for the many babies, children and teenagers who need them. Rockinghorse was founded back in 1967 by Dr Trevor Mann who recognised there was a real need for additional resources to improve healthcare services for sick children and babies, and this continues to be relevant today — in 2017 we’ll be 50 years old! How do you receive your funding? We don’t receive any government funding, and so rely on the generous support of local businesses, schools, community groups and individuals. We hold a number of key fundraising events throughout the year which supporters can get involved in, and many local businesses and schools choose to hold their own charity events of which we are a beneficiary. Do you have any upcoming events? With Christmas just around the corner, we have lots of exciting events supporters can get involved in. Our big event this Christmas is the ‘Dress as an Elf’ dress-down day on Friday 11th December, where schools and businesses across Sussex are encouraged to wear red and green (or a full elf outfit) and donate £1 to help us support sick children in Sussex. All money raised from Dress as an Elf will be donated towards our Toy Box Appeal 2015 to provide poorly youngsters in hospital with presents this Christmas. Supporters can sign up by calling us on 01273 330044 or visiting our website rockinghorse.org.uk for more information. Continuing with the Christmas theme, we’re looking for supporters to join us for the annual Santa Dash in Brighton on Saturday 12th December. Taking place on Hove Lawns at 10am, supporters can sign-up for £20 (which includes a Santa suit) to take part in the 5k fun run, helping us to raise money for sick children 95 and babies this Christmas. Those interested can register by calling us on 01273 330044 or contacting our fundraising assistant Hannah via email at [email protected]. How can people help? Those wishing to support us can take a look at the events section of our website, rockinghorse.org.uk/events, where they can find out more about our upcoming charity events. We’re especially looking for supporters to dust off their running shoes and sign up to take part in a marathon challenge in 2016. Our places for the Brighton Half Marathon in February and the full Brighton Marathon in April are open and we’re currently taking registrations for both events. By visiting our events section, supporters can also gain advice on how to hold their own fundraising event. For those wishing to make a one-off donation this Christmas, or those planning to set up a Direct Debit monthly donation, can also do so via our website or by calling the Rockinghorse office on 01273 330044. People can also help us by giving up a couple of hours of their time and volunteering at one of our charity events. Those interested can find out more by visiting www.rockinghorse.org.uk/get-involved or calling our office number.