Hello Sunshine News Readers, we hope you are doing well. This week has been busy with preparations for the Sunshine Run, which is now less than a month away. Our t-shirts and race numbers are on their way, and we are excited to send out race packs next week so all runners have everything they need to #PaintTheTOONYellow.
Volunteer Marshals Needed
We still require volunteers to serve as course marshals on the night. This role is simple but crucial for the event's success, especially in case of incidents, accidents, or emergencies. Marshals will be paired up or placed in groups and stationed at various points along the route to cheer on runners and ensure they follow the correct path. We need to fill 15 positions and are extremely grateful for any help. If you would like to be part of this fantastic evening, please register as a volunteer at https://bit.ly/tcsf-sunrun.
Sponsorship and Corporate Support
We also want to thank local restaurant Sanco Pizza for kindly donating prizes for the fastest male and female runners. Their support is greatly appreciated, and it is a privilege to collaborate with a North East business. Additionally, we shine a light on Winn Solicitors, one of our 17 corporate teams, with 34 employees taking part. Staff from Winn Group have set a fundraising challenge where each runner must raise at least £20, meaning the team will raise over £600 for us. Ross Jackson, deputy CSR lead at Winn Group, said: “The Sunshine Run is a rock-solid annual tradition in our CSR calendar and is always looked forward to by our staff. One of the most popular events we take part in, it’s accessible to all fitness levels with a great focus on enjoying the event. We’re proud to support the Sunshine Fund in their outstanding work and will always seek to enter one of the biggest corporate teams into the race! See you on the start line!”
Fundraising Challenges
While this event does not require additional fundraising, it is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Due to works on the Tyne Bridge, we have faced extra costs in recent years, requiring a road closure to keep runners and pedestrians safe. Although necessary for safety, this means less of our proceeds can go directly to providing equipment for families. That is why this year we are encouraging runners and spectators to take part in the £23 challenge, inspired by Winn Solicitors. If every runner raises just £23 for our 23rd year, we could raise an additional £8,000 to support our mission of removing barriers to independence, dignity, and full participation for disabled children in our region.
How Funds Are Used
The proceeds from our fundraising events fund specialist equipment that families cannot access through the NHS but that can transform the daily lives of our Sunshine Kids. As a small charity with no statutory funding, every penny we raise is vital. If you would like to donate to our Sunshine Run campaign, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sunshinerun26. Alternatively, you can nominate us for Benefact Group’s ‘Movement For Good’ initiative, where we could receive £5,000 to support children with disabilities and terminal illnesses in our region. This is a free and easy way to support us—just a minute of your time to submit the pre-filled form at https://bit.ly/sf-nom.
What £5,000 Could Fund
- 12 laptops or 15 iPads, which benefit youngsters with various needs—providing independence for teenagers with visual impairments, aiding communication for non-verbal children, and improving focus for those with autism or ADHD.
- A number of sensory bundles for schools or groups, helping children with sensory needs self-regulate. Bundles range from £100 to £2,000 depending on the recipient and complexity of needs.
- Two buggies to keep children with complex medical or behavioural needs safe and comfortable, encouraging families to leave the house confidently and access the community.
- At least three trikes for children with diverse needs—improving mobility, building muscle, or boosting confidence for those with developmental delays or learning disabilities.
- Ten pieces of outdoor play equipment for families to use in their garden, providing a safe space for children with autism or ADHD to play and self-regulate without overstimulation.
These are just a few examples of how we could use the grant and the difference it could make. To learn more about who we are and what we do, or to find other ways to get involved, please visit www.thesunshinefund.org/ or email us at hello@thesunshinefund.org. Thank you for reading! Sophie x
Read next: We’re giving away 30,000 FREE English Heritage family passes. Nominate us to help secure £5,000 for life-changing specialist equipment for children with disabilities. Sunshine Fund hits £4,000 milestone at Kielder Trek as Sunshine Run deadline looms.
