Our long-term partner, Hobbycraft, have released their Christmas ad, celebrating our charity partnership. The video encourages customers to use the festive period as a time for giving and spreading Christmas cheer, by helping seriously ill children and their families to make lasting memories.
The advert sees Hobbycraft colleagues designing, creating and delivering an array of handmade Christmas decorations to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, before transforming the hospice into a winter wonderland.
The video also features some very special stars, as children and families supported by Chestnut Tree House enjoy the festive makeover with their loved ones.
When we stepped in, I was blown away. You can’t help but smile. Chestnut means everything to us – it’s been our lifeline. It’s all about making memories and having time together as a family.
Dawn Burridge, whose son Zach receives care from Chestnut Tree House
Our partnership with Hobbycraft sees every Hobbycraft store twinned with their local children’s hospice, ensuring colleague fundraising directly supports children and families in the community where they live and work.
Between now and 8 December, Hobbycraft stores around the country will be transforming children’s hospices across the UK into winter wonderlands with handmade Christmas decorations created by colleagues. Colleagues will also be creating and delivering a Christmas hamper to their local hospice, full of festive kid’s crafts to be enjoyed throughout the holiday season, and hosting a Festive Fundraiser on the 7 and 8 December.
Since 2012, our partnership with Hobbycraft has raised an incredible £3.2 million for the 54 children’s hospices around the UK. Together, we aim to help make every moment count for seriously ill children and their families across the country. We are incredibly grateful to Hobbycraft colleagues and customers for their incredible support and fundraising over so many years.
Joel Pickering, Marketing Director at Hobbycraft said: “The care given all year round by Together for Short Lives and children’s hospices they support makes such a difference to the lives of so many children and families. We believe it is important to use our platform to help raise awareness for such a fantastic cause, as every moment between these children and their loved ones is a gift to treasure.”
Nick Carroll, Interim Chief Executive at Together for Short Lives said: “It’s hard to think of a greater joy for a parent than creating memories with their child at Christmas. For families such as those cared for by wonderful children’s hospices like Chestnut Tree House, it takes on a whole other level of significance. This Christmas, thousands of seriously ill children and their families at children’s hospices up and down the country will now get to make precious memories in a truly magical winter wonderland. It’s a priceless gift from Hobbycraft, for which we are eternally grateful.”
Sharon Wheeler, Head of Clinical Services at Chestnut Tree House said: “It was so heartwarming to see the reaction from our children and families to Hobbycraft’s magical Christmas makeover. Chestnut Tree House is a special place where we make memories every day – we pack in as much fun and as many experiences as possible! Children’s hospices across the UK play a crucial role for children with life-shortening conditions and provide vital support at the heart of the community. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of those communities, and organisations such as Together for short Lives and Hobbycraft. Thank you.”
