Case of opthalmic equipment Fight against BlindnessCare

Fight Against Blindness

September 4, 2020By

Supporting children with sight loss and blindness

Fight Against Blindness offers genetic testing, and funds research to find treatments to cure eye disease. The charity also provides psychological support for children and families attending UK Hospital Eye Clinics and helps raise awareness of children’s eye disease.

The charity works at the Eye Clinic Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, the Oxford Eye Hospital (John Radcliffe), the Southampton Eye Unit (Southampton General Hospital), and Bristol Eye Hospital Children’s Unit.

The Axis Foundation has donated £8,460 to develop a Wheelie Ward Suitcase for use at Bristol Eye Hospital Children’s Unit to help the charity’s work supporting children with sight loss and blindness.

“We are delighted that the Axis Foundation are supporting our children” – Sarah Williams, Trustee, Fight Against Blindness

The suitcase will contain essential ophthalmic diagnostic equipment and is portable enabling clinicians to complete full assessments on children who have been admitted to hospital wards and cannot be attended to in the eye department because they are either on the paediatric intensive care units, are too unwell to travel in wheelchairs or are vulnerable to infection due to immune-suppression.

There is more about Fight Against Blindness here

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Woman and child reading togetherDonations

Literacy Pirates

September 3, 2020By

Getting on board to support young children with their reading!

Literacy Pirates helps disadvantaged children who are falling behind in their literacy. Our donations to Literacy Pirates which total £16,500 in 2022, support  300 children, helping them with their reading and literacy skills via the volunteer programme, and also improved the premises of the Hackney based charity via Project Shipshape!

“We are very pleased to have Axis Foundation on board as a supporter! The money will go towards the costs of running our volunteer programme which is so integral to the success of our Learning Programme. Thank you once again for your support. It is hugely appreciated by everyone at The Literacy Pirates” – Triona Larkin, Head of Fundraising

In 2021, the Axis Foundation – with City Plumbing Community Fund –  donated £6,500 to Project Shipshape. Project Shipshape transformed the Pirates’ Hackney premises providing a fresh coat of paint covering recent graffiti, a new fascia and a sea-waves mural up their books staircase which has also had new titles added with input from the children, reflecting the diversity of the local area and centring stories from a range of authors and protagonists.

 

“The striking entrance, murals on the walls and the books staircase will all combine to inspire creativity and motivation. Thank you Axis Foundation for continuing to support children’s learning adventures in your local community.” – Triona Larkin, Head of Fundraising

More about Literacy Pirates

Local schools refer children to the Literacy Pirates. Here they attend a year-long after-school learning programme at one of the two fantastical centres, the ‘Ships’, in Hackney or Haringey, both in east London. Trained volunteers give the children extra help with literacy skills and support them with their reading. At the same time they help them complete exciting published projects such as books, films and podcasts.

With the help of the Literacy Pirates, children’s reading age improves over 50% faster than age-related expectations.

In January 2014 the Literacy Pirates opened their dedicated learning centre (the Ship) in Dalston and in January 2019 launched a second Ship in Tottenham, Haringey. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, they built a virtual ship in two weeks, and offered weekly activities during lockdown.

There’s even more here!

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black pony standing in treesDisability

Barrow Farm

September 3, 2020By

Our pony provides riding for adults and children with disabilities

Barrow Farm offers subsidised riding, including to those with limited means, bringing fitness, fulfilment, friendship and fun to adults and children with disabilities.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £5,500 went towards purchasing a handsome new pony, Murphy, who can offer riding and driving experiences to at least five more people every week. A further donation in 2023 of £1,200 bought Murphy a new saddle!

Dr Karen Lehner, Vice Chairman of the Trustees, said: “We are truly indebted to the Axis Foundation enabling us to help more disabled children and adults. Murphy is a real people-loving horse and likes nothing better than to be petted for as long as you can stand there!”

More about Barrow Farm

Every week 130 riders and 11 carriage drivers with a range of difficulties enjoy the riding at this specialist centre in Essex where 13 horses and ponies, along with four paid coaches and over 80 volunteers offer support in a safe environment.

The father of one driver described his daughter’s riding session as  “the highlight of her week” while his daughter added: “ I am constantly striving to improve. It’s something new that I haven’t done before; I learn something new every time. Having a hobby outside of my work life distracts me from work and helps with stress.”

Barrow Farm loves welcoming new visitors  – find out more here – and when you drop in, do say hello to Murphy!

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Boxing school young men trainingDonations

Sandwell Asian Development Association

July 1, 2020By

Preventing crime and antisocial behaviour through boxing

Sandwell Asian Development Association (SADA) keeps young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime, promoting community cohesion, wellbeing, self esteem and physical fitness through their inner city boxing scheme.

In 2023, the Axis Foundation donated £1,000 so SADA could purchase new equipment (a Speed Ball platform, Geezers 6ft leather bag, Wing chun dummy, and ten pairs of boxing gloves). Our award helped SADA launch a non-contact boxing programme for young people (14-18 years).

This follows our previous (2020) donation of £1,000 to SADA to purchase a computer and boxing equipment.

“The boxing training has helped me to improve as a person and respect my elders. Thank you” – SADA service user

More About SADA

SADA runs an 8-week inner city boxing course for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Participants live in BME communities in Sandwell MBC and North West Birmingham; a high percentage have learning difficulties and come from disadvantaged and low income backgrounds. They are referred to SADA by the West Midlands Police, youth services and probation services.

West Midlands Police, Sandwell Council and ex-world boxing champion Ritchie Woodhall all support SADA’s inner city boxing scheme.

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Coronavirus responseNews

Axis Foundation Coronavirus Response

April 7, 2020By

The Coronavirus is having a devastating impact on our community, as well as on the charities and causes who support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Axis Foundation’s Trustees would like to reassure our charity partners and those seeking funding that we remain open for new applications and are committed to supporting our communities and the people worst affected by Covid-19.

To ensure this is possible and that the funds we have available are used effectively, to provide maximum long-lasting impact, we are making some temporary changes to our application, review and funding process:

Urgent Funding Applications – Coronavirus Relief

We would like to help the most vulnerable in our community through this time. So we will be prioritising funding applications that can make a long-lasting positive impact in relation to Coronavirus relief efforts.

You can continue to make any funding application, but we will only be dealing with those deemed immediately impactful in relation to Coronavirus relief efforts within our community.

Please note: We only support small, local charities and causes providing impactful front-line community services.

Applications Received (Prior to 31.03.20)

Our Trustees met on the 31.03.20 and reviewed the applications received prior to this date. The applications that met our criteria and that were selected for support will have the funding deferred until further notice – if they do not provide immediate and impactful benefit in relation to Coronavirus relief.

At a future date (to be agreed) these successful application will be re-reviewed to ensure that the charity or cause is still operating and the project or activity is still viable.

Non-Urgent Applications (Received Post March 2020)

All new non-urgent applications will be deferred until after the impacts of Coronavirus have been addressed. All applications received relating to non-urgent activity, will be kept and reviewed at a later date.

Funding Already Granted

Where the Axis Foundation has already provided funding: If you plan to adapt the original purpose or use of this funding due to the impact of Coronavirus or redirect it to relief efforts, please contact the Foundation prior to committing the money.

Coronavirus response

We hope you understand our response to the situation we are all facing and we look forward to being able to reinstate our usual application processes as soon as we can.

Applications

If you would like to apply on the above basis, please click here to access our application form

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cheque presentation by the Axis Foundation to Oliver Fisher TrustCare

Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

January 7, 2020By

Supporting a Special Care Baby Unit

Liam and Amy Hayes’ son Benjamin Jeffrey John Hayes was born on Sunday 12 May 2019 and sadly passed away 10 days later.

At The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Medway the doctors and nurses gave Benjamin the very best care they could before he was transferred to Demelza Children’s Hospice.

The Axis Foundation’s annual charity ball in 2019 raised record-breaking sums, with the help of our generous and kind guests, which were shared between our charity partner Demelza and The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Read Benjamin’s story by Liam Hayes here and more about our work with Demelza here

More about The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

In 1983, Dr Oliver Fisher created a Special Care Baby Unit in All Saints Hospital in Kent. The unit then had just two special care cots. Now based in Medway Maritime Hospital, the unit has 36 cots including eight intensive care, eight transitional care, four high dependency and 16 special care cots. In 2018, The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, admitted 1226 babies. The unit serves Kent, London and the South East.

The work

The Unit cares for babies born prematurely or who are sick and need intensive care in a highly specialised facility, with skilled staff and sophisticated equipment. It provides all neonatal medical intensive care (excluding cardiology) and also Cooling Therapy for babies with Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy: a brain problem following lack of oxygen and blood supply at birth.

The team

The team comprises two Paediatric Surgeons, jointly appointed with Kings College Hospital, and a dedicated Neonatal Transport Team.

Quality of life

The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has increased the number of babies for whom they care. And the team has also increased the percentage of babies who have survived – and survived well, to have good quality of life.

Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust

The Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust (OFSCBT) raises additional funds to purchase essential equipment for The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

 

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dinner table with red napkins, charity ball programme and Christmas CrackersCharity Ball

Record-breaking Axis Foundation Charity Ball 2019

December 13, 2019By

As the culmination to our 10th birthday year of celebrations, our 14th charity ball raised a record-breaking £150,000. This brings the total sums raised by all Axis’ charity balls to £850,000.

In 2019 the Foundation celebrated a Decade of Donations. It has granted over £1.4m to 200+ small, local and impactful causes. As Peter Varney, Chairman of the Trustees of the Axis Foundation said on the night of the ball:

None of us involved could ever have imagined how much the Axis Foundation would develop into the charity it is today and we are immensely proud of the work it now does. So thank you again to all of you who are here tonight for your support and your donations.  And, here’s to the next ten years of giving!

The money raised on the night was donated to our long-term charity partner Demelza Hospice for Children as well as our guest charity of the night, The Oliver Fisher Trust. Both these charities are devoted to helping babies, children and their families at times of unbearable sadness and when precious, short lives are drawing to an end.

The Foundation sees this record-breaking charity ball as a remarkable and fitting close to our 10th birthday year and thanks all our generous guests and supporters for helping us help our chosen charities.

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Axis Foundation Logo and Silver ten trophy on tableNews

10th Birthday celebrations mark a Decade of Donations

December 13, 2019By

This year, 2019, the Axis Foundation is 10 years old.

At the beginning of 2019

We launched our birthday year with Generous January. The Foundation invited Axis people to nominate local causes and individuals who might need a helping hand in the New Year.

Birthday celebrations

To mark our Decade of Donations the Axis Foundation hosted a party at Painter-Stainers Hall in London (recently refurbished by our award-winning Projects Division). Guests included our clients as well as friends from the many small, local and impactful causes the Foundation has supported.

Celebrity Golf Day’s a Winner

Our annual Golf Day – named for our, sports pundit and tv personality Patron Alan Curbishley – raised a record amount in our birthday year.

And the close of play

A fitting end to our celebratory year, our 2019 Axis Foundation Charity Ball raised a record-breaking £150,000 for our charities for the night. These were the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust and our partner Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

The numbers

Since the Foundation was born, it has donated over £1.4m to 200 small, local and impactful causes in the communities where we work. We like to call it our Decade of Donations!

Our work

The Foundation has:

  • provided care and love as well as vital equipment and improved facilities for those with life-limiting illnesses
  • funded medical research into children’s illnesses
  • supported anti-knife crime and youth safety initiatives
  • reached out the hand of friendship to those who are isolated, with practical donations like adapted minibuses and cars
  • helped the vulnerable meet, socialise and engage in activities as well as receive appropriate care.
  • given a voice for those hard-to-reach elements of our community who sometimes remain unheard.
Axis people

Funds for the Foundation come from a corporate donation as well as money raised by our charity ball and golf days and by the indefatigable people of Axis.Their work is acknowledged this year with the inaugural Axis Fundraising Heroes Awards.

Our partner

The Foundation’s charity partner is Demelza Hospice Care for Children. The hospice provides end of life care to children and babies and crucial support to their families. Axis has partnered Demelza for over 15 years (before the Foundation was born) and helped set up their new hospice facilities in East London. In 2019 Demelza awarded Axis their Gold Outstanding Corporate Supporter award at the Demelza Business Awards 2019.

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Two young boxers holding their trophies after a fightDonations

Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club

December 12, 2019By

Giving disadvantaged youngsters a fighting chance through boxing training

Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club, open for nearly 100 years, is a haven for vulnerable youngsters in Cheshire. The Axis Foundation’s £5,000 donation bought new boxing equipment to improve the gym’s facilities. The new boxing equipment makes the club an even more attractive prospect for disadvantaged individuals.

Runcorn’s Head Coach, Darren, said “I’d like to thank Axis on behalf of everyone at the club, as well as personally. It’s great to find like-minded people with the same goal to improve the mindset of Runcorn’s kids on this issue and to help us help them. Again, thank you.”

More about Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club

Runcorn is in the top 5% of deprived areas nationally, so the boxing club is a place for young adults to engage in meaningful activities, away from negative influences like knife crime. It’s an important part of the community that helps children and young adults thrive, as well as exercise.

Preserving the facilities and maintaining equipment is an important part of keeping Runcorn open. Their fully-licensed community boxing club has over 100 members but is always welcoming newcomers. Their Knife Down Glove Up campaign plays a vital part in educating people about the dangers of knife crime. It will reach their immediate members as well as filter through parents to other families in the wider community.

Volunteer coaches make sure mentoring is aligned to the most vulnerable, helping youngsters develop both physically and mentally. The new gym equipment includes a boxing ring, which adds to the clubs great facilities. Runcorn welcomes children aged seven upwards, providing opportunities that could change lives and a space based on equal opportunities.

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Patient using an FES machine in therapyDisability

Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

December 12, 2019By

Donation of Functional Electrical Stimulation machine helps MS sufferers

The Berkshire MS Therapy Centre has supported people with Multiple Sclerosis for over 30 years. Our donation means that the centre can buy a four-channel Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) machine, and the accompanying electrodes. The machine stimulates four muscles simultaneously, alleviating symptoms such as impaired limb movement and muscle weakness.

I feel like I did before I had MS – Candice, patient

Being able to exercise properly is vital for MS sufferers because exercise rebuilds muscle strength. It also benefits fatigue and balance, decreasing the risk of falls.

Candice, who uses the machine said: “It is amazing how this small piece of equipment can make me grin like a love-struck teenager! I just can’t explain enough how it feels to suddenly have so much improvement in my movements. I feel like I did before I had MS. A simple thank you just doesn’t seem enough to convey what a difference this has made.”

The Berkshire Centre has used FES therapy for years but usually this therapy is a treatment for foot drop. The centre now uses a four-channel machine to aid people with wider movement issues, helping even more MS sufferers. FES applies electrical charges to muscles that have been paralysed or weakened because of brain or spinal cord damage. Leading physiotherapist Henriette said the machine “is a great addition because we can offer more support for people with MS”.

She adds: “On behalf of everyone at the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre thank for your help and generosity.”

More about MS

MS is an unpredictable condition that affects hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. It can cause a range of debilitating symptoms; the centre uses treatments to make life with MS easier. To find out more, visit https://www.bmstc.org/.

Watch Candice with an FES machine in action below.

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