Care

Strongbones Children’s Charitable Trust

December 20, 2023By

Winter warmth for vulnerable children with bone conditions

Strongbones Children’s Charitable Trust helps children with severe disabilities/complex needs coupled with bone conditions such as scoliosis, bone cancer and spina bifida.

Each winter, many Strongbones children are hospitalised due to hypothermia, pneumonia, respiratory disease and Covid. Many children are from families in poverty. And fuel poverty adds to the severity of this problem.

The Axis Foundation’s winter 2023 donation of £5,600 buys 40 Winter Warmer packs to help the charity keep their children warm. Each pack consists of a penguin fleece blanket, an oddie wearable blanket, a pair of warmies soft boots and a warmies penguin handwarmer.

“This is wonderful news!! Thanks to all the trustees for agreeing to this incredibly generous grant. We have many children who will hugely benefit from these lifesaving packs” – April Fitzmaurice, Manager

More about Strongbones

Strongbones supports over 1,000 families of vulnerable children in Essex. They work to decrease social isolation and increase inclusion through supplying disability/educational equipment and providing educational opportunities. The charity also provides practical and emotional support to parents and carers, respite breaks, group residentials and accessible sports.

There’s more about their work here

 

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Disability

Mobility for Little Kit

December 20, 2023By

Accessibility and mobility for little boy in wheelchair

Little Kit was an able child until he suffered a seizure at 18 months. Now age four, he cannot walk, talk or crawl.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £7,000 creates an accessibility ramp for the family home.

“We’re so grateful, you have no idea what this will do for our family (especially Kit!)” – Katherine, Kit’s mother

More about Kit

Kit was an able child until he was 18 months old in 2021, when he suffered a 2-hour long seizure. This caused significant brain damage and visual impairment. Kit is now four. He cannot walk, talk or crawl and needs constant care and hoisting.

His family have struggled to pay the cost of adapting their home after this devastating event: they plan to build an extension with fully hoisted bedroom, bathroom and storage area.

They needed to build an access path and ramp as part of these adaptations – and also so that Kit can use his motobility vehicle. The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to help the family.

As his mother Katherine says: “We’re desperate to keep our son at home with us: but without the path we’re not allowed the extension and without the extension he will not be allowed to live with us (in the future).

“We want to give him the best life we can.”

You can support Kit here 

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Charity Ball

2023 Charity Ball raises £400,000+

December 19, 2023By

Our generous guests at our 17th Axis Foundation Charity Ball raised £200,000+.

Axis match funded this so that £400,000+ is now available for small, local and impactful causes via the Axis Foundation. One such cause is Demelza, our charity partner and friend of over 20 years.

The 17th ball was held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in December 2023 – and charmingly MCd by Steve Sutherland. Thank you to him from all of us.

Thank you too…

to those who booked a table …

A-Z Stone Repairs
AC Davis Electrical
Barwin
Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery
Britelite Windows
Camview Security
City Plumbing
Crown Paints
DM Jones
DMD Contracts
DMD Installation
DMG Office
Dulux Decorator Centre
Dynes
EDY&D Construction
Emitwise
Estec Engineering
Exterior Plas
Fleetwood
FFT
First Choice Drainage Solutions
Five Point Recruitment
Fleet Auction Group
Gertski Wealth Management
Hayman Electrical Services
J&D Pallets
John Hayes, Axis CEO
Heron
Howdens
Howells
Joe Ibrahim, Axis MD
J&S Heating
Kilrot
Lift Out
LMP London
M&R
Margo Manning
Masons Scaffolding
MV Lifts
Regen Solutions
Resideo/Honeywell Home UK
Rich Demolition
Russell Trew
Solace Electrical
Stuart Fenn
Symphony Windows
Think Business Support
Travis Perkins
TW Drainage
UAS
UK Roofing
Ultimate Construction Group
VH Electrical
Virtus Energy

… to those who donated to the ball or contributed prizes and gifts …

A&B Electrical Contractors
Abal Environmental Services
Abdelmalik Hamli
Adeva Home Improvements
ALO Jobs
ASM Scaffold Solutions
Aviva
Bell Recycling
Buckley Roofing and Building
Bupa
Butler & Young Services
C & G Carpets
Crown Procurement Services
Alan Curbishley, Patron
D1 Steel Services
DDM Services Supplies
Décor Repair Services
Dimetrix Electrical Services
Edmundson Electrical
Genesis Incorporated
GMT Groundworks
Grant Thornton
John Hayes, Axis CEO
Joe Ibrahim, Axis MD
Intex Facades
Lindfield Electrical Services
Mark Building Maintenance
Milton Contract Services
Nationcare Windows
Roofmasters Watford
Stakot Construction
Bryn Taylor
Thomas & Thomas
Timbawood
TQW International
Van Brugh Group
Vivbuild
Wadesons
Watermark Engineering
Your Image
Zendrill Scaffolding

… and to our sponsors

Alandale – our magician
ALO Jobs – our violinist
Exterior Plas – our singer
First Choice Drainage
Solutions, BG Building and
ROCC – our photographers
Solace Electrical – our programme

Here’s the Programme we produced for the night, and find our full photo album here!

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Care

Azalea

December 19, 2023By

Helping survivors of sex trafficking

Azalea supports and empowers women surviving domestic and international sex trafficking through many programmes including Drop-In and Outreach, 1-1 or recovery support.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £10,000 helped Azalea buy a Mobile Drop-In Van: many women find it challenging to come to Azalea for the first time: years of extensive abuse foster a deep lack of trust. So the new van will enable Azalea to go to them.

“We are deeply grateful for the dedicated support that the Axis Foundation has shown Azalea by awarding this grant. Not only have they demonstrated their belief in the work that Azalea does, they have demonstrated their belief in the possibility of transformation that is present for every survivor of sex trafficking. A belief that all are worthy of a life, free. We thank the Axis Foundation for investing in the lives of the 421 women that we know and care for, who are surviving sex trafficking and for partnering with us in the creation of the Mobile Drop-In Van,” Kate Dunwoodie, Deputy CEO

More about the Mobile Drop-In Van

All women who engage with the Azalea’s outreach Mobile Drop-In Van will receive non-judgemental care and support in the aftermath of trauma: from being held captive in brothels or being forced into on-street sexual exploitation. The van will be a safe space, away from the crowds, out of sight of pimps and traffickers, reducing the risk of re-exploitation. It will offer best opportunity for intelligence and safeguarding disclosures as well as building relationships with Azalea’s friendly, specialist staff and volunteers in a comforting space where guests can sit, enjoy a hot drink or food and acquire clean clothes and safety kits.

More about Azalea here

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Disability

Red Eagle Foundation

December 19, 2023By

Freedom for a young boy with complex health needs

Our donation of £5,000 to The Red Eagle Foundation helps buy both an electric wheelchair and all-terrain buggy for Arthur, a young boy with severe learning disabilities and complex health needs.

 “It was such a joy to see Arthur’s face at the wheelchair assessment… his joy of being in control of moving when there is so much that he can’t control due to his health. The buggy will also help him get out and about in areas where the wheelchair is not suitable. It is going to have such a positive impact on the family”  – Dominic Comins, CEO

More about Arthur

Arthur is a 12 year old boy. He is classed as a SWAN  (‘syndromes without a name’) and despite a lifetime of procedures and tests, as his mother says, “what we don’t know is how my son’s condition will change as time goes on”.

Arthur’s physical and mental health are deteriorating and his mobility levels decreasing. He is cared for additionally by Demelza, the Axis Foundation’s charity partner.

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to help Arthur by making his life more mobile with an electric wheelchair to increase his independence and accessibility at venues/events. For example, he loves going to Howletts Zoo to see the elephants; but the hill is a challenge in a manual wheelchair – particularly for his mother who has had two back operations.

More about The Red Eagle Foundation

The Red Eagle Foundation empowers disadvantaged children and grants wishes to children with life-limiting illnesses. There’s more about their work here

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disadvantaged

The Children’s Book Project

December 19, 2023By

Giving the gift of books to disadvantaged children

The Children’s Book Project collects new and gently-used books and redistributes them free to children and young people growing up in poverty.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £3,500 to The Children’s Book Project will completely fund ten Pop up Book Huts in London schools – from where the children can choose their free books.

‘We would like to express our enormous gratitude to the Axis Foundation for its generosity. As a small, grassroots charity, we are entirely reliant on fundraising. This donation will have a big impact on the Children’s Book Project, helping us put books straight into the hands of the children that need them most” – Liberty Venn, Founder

And there’s more…

Axis volunteers Alfie Shortall, Phil Cornell and Arjinder Bhogal collected and delivered the book huts to local schools. And their colleagues Jake Thomas, Jasveen Grewal, Thomas Crane, Steve Harpley and Daniel Brownett sorted books at the charity’s warehouse in Westminster. The Axis Midlands team is currently hosting a book drive for The Children’s Book Project to support communities that present a high level of socioeconomic disadvantage and/or emotional need.

More about The Children’s Book Project

The Children’s Book Project charity sees first-hand how giving children access to books makes amazing things happen; vocabularies expand, empathy grows, imaginations are ignited and children learn.

‘’Receiving these books is changing the reading culture of our school in a positive way…The Book Project through their generosity has enabled us to provide books to children who had none at home’’ – Teacher, Southern Road Primary, E13

You can read more about the incredible work of The Children’s Book Project here

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Care

Opportunity for Bespoke Care for Charles

December 19, 2023By

Private autism assessment and chance for bespoke care

The Trustees of the Axis Foundation were delighted to donate £1,000 to help Luke Comb acquire a private assessment for his son Charles, who is showing clear signs of autism. A private autism assessment opens up opportunities for bespoke care.

“The rewards will be endless, the impact huge and life changing. Thank you” – Luke Comb

More about Luke and Charles

Luke desperately wanted a speedy assessment for his son Charles who was showing signs of autism. Getting Charles the right diagnosis early means he can be given the support he needs and opens up opportunities including access to special development programmes and bespoke care.

But waiting lists are long and family financial resources limited. So Charles applied to our Foundation for support.

In Luke’s words: “Charles is showing clear signs of autism. He is non-verbal and struggles in many everyday settings including with danger awareness and interaction. Professionals believe he is Autistic but cannot assess him for some time, possibly a couple of years. During this time, he won’t have full support or access to programmes that would benefit him.

“I believe this age is the crucial time to have him in the correct setting with access to purpose-built programmes for his development that will benefit him all through life. We believe, once fully diagnosed, he will have full support at an early stage when it is most needed.”

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Donations

Chance for a Future for Esmay

December 19, 2023By

Chance for education – and a future – for Esmay

Following young Esmay’s diagnoses of autism, dyslexia and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and her mother’s application to the Axis Foundation, the Trustees agreed to donate £870 to fund a private Occupational Therapy (OT) referral to progress Esmay’s Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) submission.

The long-term impact of our donation will be Esmay’s successful secondary education providing her with options for a future career.

“We literally can’t thank you enough, it is going to make such an impact for us. Without her EHCP in place, moving to further education will be a difficult transition for Esmay and she will struggle whilst waiting for an OT assessment” – Zarah, Esmay’s mother

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News

New Trustee for Axis Foundation

December 8, 2023By

Divisional Finance Controller Claire Pearce has been at Axis for over 23 years. She has recently been appointed to become one of the Trustees of the Axis Foundation.

She tells us what the Foundation means to her on both personal and professional levels.

“The Axis Foundation means a lot to me. I was here when it was created many years ago. Of course, we used to raise money for causes and individuals prior to that. The Foundation was created because giving money back and helping others is what Axis does. It’s what John [Hayes, Axis CEO] promotes: making an impact on people’s lives, especially helping children and families.

“To become a Trustee of the Axis Foundation is a huge, huge honour. It is humbling to make a decision that will have a huge impact on someone’s life. It might cost £2,000 but could be a life-changer. Yes, it’s an honour to be part of that process.

“When I became disabled 14 years ago, that was a life-changing event. So, I do have a bit of insight into what that means. And the Foundation has helped me personally by donating towards a mobility scooter for me.

“The applications that come in are incredible really. We treat each application individually. They are all read. And a great deal of thought goes into accepting or rejecting them. There are always valid reasons for rejecting or accepting them.”

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Demelza

Supporting our Charity Partner Demelza

December 4, 2023By

Everyone who works at Axis cherishes our Foundation and our charity partner Demelza

Indeed, there are literally no limits to what our people will do for the Axis Foundation and to ensure our charity partner, Demelza. continues to deliver extraordinary care to extraordinary children. Here are just a few examples: 

Top Row – We raised £800 in Children’s Hospice Week  * Collecting Demelza pots  * Getting Demelza’s garden summer-ready

Second Row  – Sorting donations at Demelza’s warehouse * Jake Thomas raised  £2,386 *   Miles in May raises £1,445

Third Row – Sarah Taylor raised £2,220 * Team Thames Path raised £2,255 * Team Tough Mudder raised £6,780

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