Together for Short Lives will be Morrisons’ new charity partner – providing vital support for families caring for a seriously ill child and children’s hospices across the country.
Out of more than 100 charities to apply, Together for Short Lives won a Morrisons colleague vote to decide which charity would benefit from a three-year partnership aiming to raise around £10 million.
Together for Short Lives will become Morrisons’ new charity partner from February, when the supermarket giant’s current partnership with Young Lives vs Cancer comes to a close.
David Potts, CEO at Morrisons said, “It’s been a privilege to support Young Lives vs Cancer for the last five years and I’d like to thank our colleagues, customers and suppliers for their efforts in raising over £17m – in particular our Community Champions who’ve worked so tirelessly. We’re looking forward to teaming up with Together for Short Lives and providing vital support for children’s hospices across our local communities.”
Every single Morrisons store and site will be connected with their local children’s hospice, raising much-needed funds to help them provide families facing the unimaginable with vital care and the chance to make cherished memories together.
Together for Short Lives believes that no family should have to suffer through their child’s short life alone, and instead get the important help they need to treasure every moment together. Sadly, many families, particularly those living in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and socially deprived areas, are struggling alone and without support.
That’s why fundraising from the partnership will also go towards a project to increase access to hospices and other vital children’s palliative care services for those who are not currently being reached. With Morrisons, Together for Short Lives will work to support every family caring for a seriously ill child in the UK who needs support.
Families like Emily’s, whose little girl Amelia was diagnosed with a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder that means she will have a short life. Emily’s local children’s hospice, Keech Hospice Care, means the absolute world to her family:
“Going to Keech was a big turning point for me, it was from then that I got even more strength to cope and just be with my family. When your child has a life-limiting illness every day is a struggle. You are met with sheer joy that can suddenly be turned into pain and hurt in a second. But Keech are always on hand.”
This new partnership will help children’s hospices provide vital support and help families feel less alone – so they can make the most of every moment they have together, whether that’s years, months or just hours.
Andy Fletcher Chief Executive at Together for Short Lives highlights the difference this partnership will make for families supported by a children’s hospice:
“We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as Morrisons’ next charity partner. Their support is going to help us make a lifetime of difference in communities up and down the country. Families of seriously ill children are pushed to their limits every day. This incredible partnership will help to ensure that lifeline children’s hospices who are there for these families, aren’t pushed to theirs. The partnership will also kick-start an exciting new project to help us reach every family who needs our help in local communities.
A partnership of this scale is just transformational – Together for Short Lives cannot save a child’s life, but with help from Morrisons colleagues and customers we can make sure that no family has to suffer through their child’s short life alone, and instead can treasure every moment they have together.”
A partnership of this scale is just transformational
Andy Fletcher , CEO
