Bristol Children's charity CHSW sets out bold plans for 2022 funding and growth

BRISTOL, U.K. - Jan. 22, 2022 - PRLog -- "A bonkers' idea born from a restless night's sleep" is how Eddie Farwell and his late wife Jill describe the moment which in 1991 led to the founding of Children's Hospice South West (CHSW). 30 years later in 2021, the charity celebrated the creation of a Business Club for corporate members, which saw £30,000 raised last year alone.

The aim of the Business Club is to provide opportunities for members to build regional links, raise awareness of their organisations and, crucially, help to make a difference to local children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. For 2022, CHSW is looking to expand the club and is inviting 300 companies across the South West to join.  With the membership remaining at £300 per business, CHSW hopes to raise £90,000.

Amanda Gallagher, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at CHSW, said: "We were humbled by the initial response to the business club initiative and very quickly filled all 100 places.  Now we are ready to build on that success, so for 2022, we have set the target of raising £90,000 to help the children and their families we care for."

Amongst the local South West business community, National Friendly Financial Solutions (NFFS) was one of the founding members of the Business Club and in 2020, it chose CHSW as its charity of the year.

Kurtis Reece, PR & Strategic Partnerships Executive at NFFS, said: "NFFS has pledged to continue to help CHSW enlist further local businesses to join the Business Club in 2022 and grow its presence specifically in the areas its Charlton Farm hospice serves: Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, West Wiltshire, and Somerset."

Throughout 2021, Business Club members had to switch to virtual networking events, which proved to be a great opportunity to seek innovation and a safe way forward post-Covid. Late last year, NFFS sponsored the first in-person Business Club networking event at St George's in Bristol.

Samir Savant, Chief Executive of St George's Bristol, said: "We were delighted to be able to host the Business Club event in partnership with NFFS. CHSW provides vital care for children and families, so we were honoured to hold its first in-person event here in our new, award-winning, space.

Amanda Gallagher ends: "We are all aware of the economic impact of the pandemic and its long-term effects on the community, but CHSW has remained able to provide vital care to children and families and that's thanks to the continued support of the business community."

If you are interested in becoming a member of CHSW's Business Club in 2022, visit www.chsw.org.uk/businessclub or email Amanda.gallagher@chsw.org.uk