CEO swims for homeless children
Each year in the UK, 750,000 children experience violence and abuse within their family. 23,000 are forced to flee with their mothers to the safety of a refuge. At Hestia, we support hundreds of families each day in our emergency refuges and community services throughout London. Families arrive traumatised and distraught, often with just the clothes they are wearing. Hestia's CEO, Patrick Ryan talks about his forthcoming fundraising initiative.
"For children, the stress of being in a violent home and the upheaval of fleeing is confusing and upsetting. Some are just babies. Most are aged under 10, so they find it difficult to understand and talk about what has happened. As a result, they can suffer physical and mental ill health that can last a lifetime.
This is why the play activities and practical support that Hestia provides for each child is so important. It gives them the chance to just be children, and to have the food, clothes and care that they need to grow up healthily.
I feel so strongly about this project that this year, entirely at my own expense, I am participating in the annual Hellespont Swim in Turkey. I will swim the four and a half kilometres stretch of water separating Asia and Europe, to raise funds to directly benefit these children. Your support is vital.
Knowing that I can rely on your support for this vital work, will make this long swim worthwhile. So, I'm asking you to please support the children by making a donation.
For instance,
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£5,000 |
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would cover the cost of activities in one of our larger refuges for a whole year, helping around 100 children and their mums to rebuild their lives |
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£1,000 |
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would buy toys in two of our playrooms, giving 40 children a chance to play together and make friends |
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£500 |
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would provide and emergency pack of clothes, nappies, baby food, and toys for 20 babies on arrival at one of our refuges |
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£100 |
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would pay for food for 10 families on their first night in a refuge |
Your support will make a vital difference in the lives of these children."
You can make your donation on-line at:
or you can send me a cheque payable to "Hestia Housing and Support" at:
Pat’s Hellespont Swim 2010
Hestia Housing and Support
Sovereign Court
15-21 Staines Road
Hounslow
TW3 3HR
Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely
Patrick Ryan
Chief Executive
