Your Vote for PK and PKFS Charity of the Year

Thank you to everyone who has put forward their charity suggestions. Please take a moment to read about all the different charities put forward by the team and visit their websites. There may be ones you are familiar with and others that are less well-known. Each one striving to make a positive difference in the world.

At the end of this page there is a form to cast your vote. Every vote counts. Who do you want our charity of 2024 to be?

PASIC

Mission: Ensuring no family in the East Midlands faces childhood cancer alone.

About: PASIC’s services include family support workers that offer one to one support on the Children’s Oncology wards at Nottingham Children’s Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary. They help bring comfort, practical assistance, financial support and fun unforgettable moments to families enduring tough times.

PASIC Website: https://www.pasic.org.uk/

The British Red Cross

Mission: Providing support in times of crisis, both in the UK and worldwide.

About: The British Red Cross has a rich history of aiding those in need. UK services include, cost of living support, mobility support, refugee services and emergencies such as flooding and power cuts. Their recent international services include Afghanistan earthquake search and rescue.

British Red Cross Website: https://www.redcross.org.uk/

Guide Dogs

Mission: Empowering individuals with sight loss to live life to the fullest.

About: Guide Dogs supports independence and advocacy for those with sight loss. Help create a world where everyone, regardless of vision, can navigate their surroundings with confidence. Their services include, assistance dogs, learning programmes, technology for visual impairment, life skills, educational support and much more.

Guide Dogs Website: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/

Cats Protection

Mission: Rescuing and rehoming unwanted cats, with a focus on education and advocacy.

About: Cat Protection not only finds loving homes for felines but also educates and campaigns for a world where every cat is treated with care and respect. They help an average of 157,000 cats and kittens every year with the help of 210 volunteer run branches. They also educate cat owners, have a cat guardian service in the event of the owners' passing and they also do campaign work.

Cats Protection Website: https://www.cats.org.uk/

Refuge

Mission: Supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse to rebuild their lives.

About: Refuge, the largest domestic abuse organisation, is a lifeline for those facing the harrowing impacts of abuse. On any given day their services support thousands of women and their children, helping them to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and to rebuild their lives.

Refuge Website: https://refuge.org.uk/

Autism East Midlands

Mission: Recognising and responding to the needs of individuals with autism.

About: Autism East Midlands champions dignity, choice, and independence for autistic individuals and their families. Their services include family support hubs, parent workshops, providing education for young autistic people. They also provide employment services for adults, as well as array of clinical and respite services.

Autism East Midlands Website: www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk

Drone to Home

Mission: Using innovative drone technology for lost pets search and rescue.

About: Based in Nottingham, Drone to Home is the first charity to use drones while searching for lost animals. Their objective is for the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of domestic pets in particular dogs but not exclusively. They also promote humane behaviour towards animals.

Drone to Home Website: www.dronetohome.org.uk

Turtle Foundation

Mission: Protecting sea turtles.

About: The Turtle Foundation has 7 country offices, including one in the UK, that are collectively committed to protecting sea turtles from exploitation, poaching and pollution worldwide. The charity protects the nesting beaches, sets up sanctuaries, as well as campaigning and educating the public. Turtles Foundation is part of a global movement dedicated to the conservation of our oceans. Sea turtles preserve vital ecosystems and ensures a future where our sea life thrive, benefiting the planet as a whole. For example, Green Sea Turtles eat sea grass keeping our seabeds short, providing breeding grounds for fish and other marine life to thrive. Turtles’ eggs are essential for healthy beaches giving nutrition for vegetation necessary to keep our dunes from eroding.

Turtle Foundation Website: https://www.turtle-foundation.org/en/

Rosie May Foundation

Mission: A world in which every child grows up in a safe, nurturing family and has a positive future.

About: At a Christmas party, Rosie May, age 10, was brutally murdered by a 17-year-old boy she knew. Her parents' tragedy gave them the determination to do something extraordinary. They turn tragedy into hope, creating a living legacy to their daughter, to give children in crisis the right to a future, one that Rosie May has tragically been denied. Their work includes working with communities in Sri Lanka and Nepal as well as working in their local community in Nottingham.

Rosie May Foundation Website: https://www.rosie-may.com/

Bipolar Lift

Mission: Offering holistic, no-cost support to individuals living with bipolar disorder and their families in Nottingham.

About: They provide all-round help for people with bipolar disorder and their families in Nottingham. Through emotional support and practical advice, the individuals will gain the tools to understand and better manage their condition and get back control of their lives.

Bipolar Lift Website: https://bipolarlift.org/

St Ann's Food Bank

Mission: Ensuring that no one in our community goes to bed hungry.

About: Food banks play a crucial role in addressing hunger and food insecurity within communities. This food bank is part of St Ann’s Advice Centre, which is part of a consortium of six advice agencies based in Nottingham. They provide free advice on a range of issues, such as benefits, debt, employment and housing. Their food bank provides emergency food parcels to families with young children, pensioners and disabled people.

St Ann's Food Bank Website: https://stannsadvice.org.uk/foodbank/

Samaritans

Mission: To save lives so that fewer people die by suicide.

About: Whatever someone is going through, Samaritans are there to face it with them. Their primary service is a helpline, which is available 24/7, offering a confidential and non-judgmental space for individuals to talk about their feelings and concerns. Samaritans are dedicated to reducing feeling of isolation and connection that can lead to suicide. Additionally, the Samaritans engage in public outreach and education to raise awareness about mental health and emotional well-being.

Samaritans Website: https://www.samaritans.org/

Your Vote Matters!

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Which charity are you voting for?

Choose One: PASIC The British Red Cross Guide Dogs Cats Protection Refuge Autism East Midlands Drone to Home Turtle Foundation Rosie May Foundation Bipolar Lift St Ann's Food Bank Samaritans

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