Momentum Children's Charity hospital room decorated with wildlife theme.Care

Momentum Children’s Charity

Transforming hospital experience for children with cancer and life-limiting illnesses

The Axis Foundation donated £3,500 to help Momentum Children’s Charity‘s transformation of the Frog Isolation Room on the Rupert Bear Paediatric Ward in Croydon University Hospital.

Momentum supports families of children with cancer and life-limiting illnesses living in South West London and Surrey. Children who have cancer and life-limiting illnesses often spend a huge amount of their time in hospital, from their diagnosis and throughout their treatment. Isolation rooms ensure they do not catch any further infections and some children can be in these rooms for up to 10 days at a time.

Bearing this in mind, the new decor at Croydon University Hospital features Momentum’s mascot Mo the Owl and other wildlife including frogs, ladybirds and butterflies and plants. This redecoration project has created a bright and happy space providing the young patients with positive distractions and enriching toys to make their time in hospital a little bit easier.

“We wanted to make a difference for the children and to make their memories of staying in hospital positive. Something as simple as improving the environment can make a huge difference. The Axis Foundation and our other supporters have allowed us to make a massive difference in the hospital and for the children” – Tara MacDowel, Head of Fundraising and Communications

“Enhancing the healing environment in hospitals is a large part of Momentum’s work. Studies have shown that a good hospital environment can greatly improve a child’s recovery time and of course the staff also benefit from a brighter, more welcoming place in which to work. So we are grateful to all of you at the Axis Foundation. With your donation we have been able to transform the Isolation Room at Croydon University Hospital into a wonderful welcoming space for our young cancer patients. … thank you again for your support” – Bianca Effemey, Co-Founder

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Man holding baby at Sparks Medical Research CharityCare

Sparks

Pioneering children’s medical research

The Axis Foundation donated a total of £75,000 to Sparks over two years to help them continue their pioneering children’s medical research. Our donations were raised at the Axis Foundation Christmas Charity Ball, our Celebrity Golf Days and by assorted fundraising initiatives undertaken by Axis people.

“It’s fantastic to have the ongoing support of the extremely generous Axis Foundation. This will make a big difference to the number of projects we’re able to fund, and really help with our aim to give every child the best possible start in life” – Rob Booker, CEO

“Now more than ever there is real hope for children with complex and rare conditions and with your help we can fun even more pioneering child health research. On behalf of Sparks and everyone at GOSH Charity, thank you so much for your tremendous support” – Elvira Morrison, Head of Sparks

Why we chose Sparks

John Hayes, Trustee of the Axis Foundation, recognised the importance of Sparks’ contributions to children’s medical research. So he adopted Sparks as one of the Axis Foundation’s charity partners alongside Demelza Hospice Care for Children in 2015.

Axis Foundation Trustees giving a cheque to Sparks Medical Research Charity
Here we are presenting a cheque for £52,751 to Sparks at our Alan Curbishley Classic Charity Golf Day attended by famous faces such as Roy Hodgson and Sir Trevor Brooking (2017).

More about Sparks

Sparks was established in 1991 and has funded over 290 pioneering children’s medical research projects in universities, hospitals and research institutions across both the UK and overseas including in these fields:

  • The 4,000 rare childhood diseases that are yet to have a cure
  • The 50,000 premature births that take place in England and Wales each year, currently the leading cause of the death of children under the age of five
  • 1 in 30 children born in the UK every day which has a condition that will affect them for life

Sparks is now part of the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity family and supports clinicians and scientists conducting research into treatments and cures of medical conditions affecting children’s health.

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Two girls at craft sessions at Newhaven YFCDonations

Newhaven YFC

Craft sessions encourage creativity in young people

The Axis Foundation donated £550 to Newhaven YFC, a youth club in East Sussex that provides children with a safe place to socialise and have fun. The donation funded essential craft materials for their weekly craft sessions which are incredibly popular with the children that attend.

“We are very reliant on grants such as this for extras for the young people so that we can keep them engaged and learning in a fun way. We are very grateful to the Axis Foundation for your generosity  – Sara Alexander, Youth Worker

More About Newhaven YFC

Newhaven YFC aims to engage children in meaningful activities and provide them with a place where they can be creative and interact with their peers. In order to keep the club accessible for all, they only ask for a small contribution of 50p to attend sessions. Newhaven YFC believes that it is important for young people to have access to enriching activities at a low cost as it encourages positive social interaction and allows them to discover new hobbies.

Currently, around 40 young people attend the weekly activities, which range from sports, cooking, crafts sessions and games. These activities give children something fun to look forward to while keeping them out of trouble. Furthermore, children are encouraged to communicate with staff about how they’re feeling and discuss issues that may be bothering them.

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Three children have their face painted at elevating success event.Donations

Elevating Success

Helping community training enterprise turn lives around

Elevating Success is a community training charity helping underprivileged people in matters of employment, training or education.

They organise the Lewisham Youth Conference which inspires individuals to reach their full potential and shows them local voluntary and job opportunities. There are workshops, performances, talks and informal discussions about personal and professional wellbeing.

In 2017, the Axis Foundation granted £1,500 to Elevating Success. The donation sponsored the Youth Achievement Awards at the Lewisham Youth Conference that year. The awards recognise the positive work of young people in their local community.

 “We are really grateful for the donation from the Axis Foundation. It meant that we were able to give out three awards at Lewisham Youth Conference 2017. These awards celebrate the work, commitment and selflessness of the people in our community. The funding by  the Axis Foundation allowed us to recognise and celebrate these achievements. We look forward to working with you again in the future” – Conference Organiser and CEO Andrew Brown

Earlier Donations

The Axis Foundation has regularly supported Elevating Success since our first grant to them of £2,500 in 2013. We have made subsequent donations of £2,000 in 2014 and £1,500 in 2016 totalling, with our 2017 donation, £7,500.

“We’re happy to back a local project that provides positive activities in a safe and welcoming environment for children who need support. If this gives the young people involved a focused outlet, some new skills and interests and encourages social interaction and ultimately keeps them out of trouble – it has to be a good thing” –  Peter Varney, Chairman, Axis Foundation Trustees

More about Elevating Success

Elevating Success, established in 2008, supports 1,400 underprivileged individuals a year. The charity delivers training in employability and personal development and offers rehabilitation for offenders, holiday programmes and events, Their primary focus is to provide community training in Croydon, Lambeth and Lewisham, but their reach extends across the capital.

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Disabled pupils of Lonsdale School sit round a fire during camping trip.Disability

Lonsdale School

Special wheelchair help physically and neurologically impaired children achieve Duke of Edinburgh Award

Our award of £2,805 to Lonsdale School funded a new RGK All Terrain wheelchair which enabled 20 physically and neurologically impaired children pupils to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Expedition award.

The pupils, with the aid of the all-terrain wheelchair, were able to complete the award, walking, camping and enjoying the exercise and the great outdoors. Without the wheelchair, none of this would have been possible.

And, whilst it was invaluable in helping pupils complete their incredible adventure, the new specialist wheelchair will have long-term benefits for future pupils at the school too.

“The Duke of Edinburgh Expedition created lasting memories and for that we’re incredibly grateful. The equipment provided by the Axis Foundation will also benefit all our current and future students. It will give them the opportunity to be involved in a rewarding activity that they may otherwise not have been able to complete. We also took the All Terrain Wheelchair on our recent trip to Andorra for a week’s SitSki. The wheelchair was absolutely perfect for the conditions we were faced with and the donation was very gratefully received. Thank you” –  Sheena Harley, LSA 

More  About Lonsdale School

Lonsdale School caters for physically and neurologically impaired children It is based in Hertfordshire with around 90 pupils aged between 3 and 18 years. Here their motto is ‘Learning for Life” and they believe that pupils should enjoy being inside and outside of school: they participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme expedition to help pupils develop new skills outside the classroom.

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Patient and carer at Greenwich Bexley Community HospiceCare

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice

Two donations fund specialist medical equipment and increase comfort for patients

The Axis Foundation has been delighted to make two donations to help Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, an important community resource providing end-of-life care with compassion.

2017: Pressure Care Mattresses

In 2017, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice sought funding to buy pressure care mattresses for their 17-bed in-patient unit. The unit cares for around 400 patients per year. We donated £4,000 which enabled the hospice to purchase two specialist mattresses. These dramatically improved the comfort of those experiencing pain and discomfort due to their illness.

“The mattresses really help those in our wards to be comfortable in their beds, with a special system allowing the patient to make the mattress as hard or soft as they want. When we get donations specifically for specialist medical equipment it means that we can improve the comfort and experience for patients. It gives the staff peace of mind because they know that they have the best equipment to help the people that they care for.

“I’d like to say thank you for what you’ve done to support us. The charitable donations that we receive are really important for us as they help us continue to deliver our care” – Kate Heaps, Chief Executive

We are so fortunate to be gifted pressure relieving mattresses for our ward. The patients say that they really help to ease their discomfort.”” – Anne, Hospice Healthcare Assistant 

2013: Syringe Drivers

In 2013, the Foundation donated £6,000 to purchase six Syringe Drivers, specialist medical equipment administering medicine. These are essential for pain management and symptom control.  A Syringe Driver is a small battery-powered pump carried by the patient. It releases medicine slowly, safely and effectively under the skin. It can be used, for example, when a patient is unable to take tablets.

More About Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care for around 2,500 people (per annum). The patients have illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, respiratory disease and neurological conditions. They live mainly in the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley.

The Hospice is vital community resource – a lifeline for so many people and their families in truly difficult times. Their 24-hour care programme offers pain and symptom management as well as psychological care, respite, rehabilitation and end-of-life care.

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Child sitting in a mobility chair that has been donated to him.Disability

Vinnie James

Mobility and independence for toddler with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Two-year-old Vinnie James was diagnosed with type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at eight weeks old. SMA is a genetic disease, causing deterioration in nerve cells connecting the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. Type 1 is the most severe.

Vinnie’s family had been campaigning to raise money for a Permobil Koala Power chair to provide him with some mobility and independence. As his mother Kelly told us: “He currently has to stay where we put him. He’s a toddler. He should be running around causing mayhem but he’s not able to.”

The Axis Foundation initially agreed to donate £1,500 to cover the cost of the deposit for the chair. However – touched and impressed by further successful fundraising efforts by the family – the Foundation donated the final £6,000 needed to buy the chair. The family was also supported by chairman of local charity Heart of Darts Ian Waller.

“Without the help of the Axis Foundation and the donation they’ve made to the chair, we are unsure whether we would have got it. Moving forward, the chair will grow with Vinnie and ensure his mobility and independence – you have changed all of our lives” – Kelly, Vinny’s mother

The story continues…

Axis Operative Dan Ward (who was working near to Vinnie’s home on a routine job) noticed how Kelly and the family struggled to manoeuvre Vinnie’s previous chair through the front door of their property. So, he volunteered to fit and install a special door which was provided by supply chain partner Travis Perkins.

“The team at Axis saw what a struggle it was on a day to basis to get Vinnie in and out of our property. They came and fitted a specialist door that opens outwards making our life so much easier. This act of kindness is greatly appreciated by our family” – Kelly, Vinny’s mother

And, in 2020, the Axis Foundation donated a further £4,400 to fund a year’s physiotherapy with a Neuromuscular Physiotherapist for Vinnie.

“The money from The Axis foundation has ensured that Vinnie has access to the best possible physiotherapy. It means that we can continue working hard on making our little boy stronger and he can keep smashing SMA. Thank you” – Luke and Kelly James

 

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Two people playing Table Tennis at Pimlico Foundation youth projectDonations

Pimlico Foundation

Youth project activities reduce anti-social behaviour

The Pimlico Foundation runs after school clubs, one-on-one mentoring, detached youth work, sports and creative activities, all of which are designed to prevent anti-social behaviour and encourage community spirit.

The Axis Foundation donated £700 to the youth project to help them purchase equipment including board games and a table tennis set. This donation means that there is a wider range of activities available at the weekly youth club. These sessions provide the young people who attend with a safe and relaxed space where they can interact with each other and engage with informal learning which serves to enhance their social and personal development.

“We’d like to thank the Axis Foundation for their gift of a donation. It has enabled us to purchase a table tennis set and board games and these are perfect ways to encourage the young people who visit us to interact with each other. The donation has added to our youth work and we appreciate the support as it’s something that the children are really benefiting from” – Mark Liburd, Senior Youth Worker

More About The Pimlico Foundation

The Pimlico Foundation works with young people to create a hub which provides physical, emotional and spiritual support, helping them to reach their full potential. The charity holds a weekly ‘hot chocolate outreach’ which reaches around 100 people. Attendees receive free hot chocolate and get the chance to speak to the youth workers from the charity about local events and help to shape the community.

The youth project operates under the youth movement Outbreak, which aims to create a cohesive community and help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds living in Pimlico

 

 

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Co-ordinator of Camberwell After School Project receiving cheque.Donations

Camberwell After School Project

Children can socialise in safe after-school club

Camberwell After School club  enables children to socialise with each other in a constructive and enriching environment and we are happy that our support will be used to bring smiles to local children’s faces. Our donation of £1,000 bought gifts, toys and resources for children within the Camberwell community to enjoy.

“The donation has come as a blessing and it’s a great Christmas present for the children and we’re very grateful” – Carmen Lindsay MBE, Chief Executive Officer

“This after school club is vital for parents as it gives them peace of mind and practical support in terms of caring for their children whilst juggling their career or studies. They don’t receive much support though, so I’m really happy that the Foundation is helping them” –  Leah Kimani, parent

“We liked the cause and recognise the importance of knowing that your children are cared for whilst balancing working and family life. Services such as the Camberwell After School Project are a valuable asset to our community and it is important that we do everything that we can to support them ” – Foundation Trustee, Sandie Ryan

 

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Mary Stevens Hospice for palliative care.Care

Mary Stevens Hospice

Specialist chairs enhance palliative care

The Mary Stevens Hospice delivers high quality palliative care, symptom control and therapy to people living with life limiting illnesses in the Stourbridge area. Last year the hospice provided 66,624 hours of direct care for patients on the In-Patient unit with around 18 patients attending the Day Therapies Clinic per day.

Palliative care often be a painful experience with patients experiencing, anxiety, breathlessness, discomfort and mobility issues as a result of their illness. Each of these issues has a direct and dramatic impact on the self-esteem and emotional wellbeing of a patient and it is therefore important that they are assisted in their daily life.

To help provide some added comfort and independence the hospice used our £4,000 donation to purchase 8 riser-recliner chairs. The chairs will benefit the patients as simple activities such as sitting and standing can be extremely challenging and painful for them. The chairs allow the patients to adjust the position of their seat without the need for assistance, whilst alleviating the pressure and stress on joints and muscles.

The chairs will also reduce the demand and physical strain on the nursing staff by providing the patients with ability to readjust their position themselves.

“Funding like this enables to continue giving the care that we do. The chairs will be a great help to our patients at the hospice as they will give them comfort and relieve pain. What you’ve enabled us to do is enhance the level of care that we’re able to provide” Alex Winstanley from Mary Stevens Hospice

 

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