By Isle of Wight Observer
Online voting has now opened for the public to choose which local charity will become Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2019.
Red Funnel staff have already had their say and shortlisted three worthy candidates from more than 50 applicants. The three shortlisted charities are Naomi House & Jacksplace, Mountbatten Isle of Wight and Home Start.
Naomi House & Jacksplace provides expert hospice care to life limited and life threatened children, young adults, and delivers the crucial emotional, spiritual and developmental aspects of care that families need.
Mountbatten, Isle of Wight provides expert medical, nursing and domiciliary end of life care and bereavement support to people in their own homes, including care homes, in its Newport building and in the local hospital.
While Home Start helps families with young children struggling to cope with issues such as isolation, lack of confidence, postnatal depression, physical and mental health problems, and bereavement, among many others.
The public now has until Sunday 16 December to visit redfunnel.co.uk/coty and vote for the charity they would like to see Red Funnel support next year.
Fran Collins, CEO, Red Funnel, said: “All three of the charities shortlisted to become our 2019 Charity of the Year undertake incredible, important work in the communities that we serve. No matter what the outcome, we will be thrilled to get behind whomever the public chooses and help make a difference in 2019.”
Thanks to the support and generosity of its customers, Red Funnel has already raised more than £40,000 for its 2018 Charity of the Year, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, which exists to provide care for abandoned, neglected or retired donkeys.
Derek Needham, Charity Manager at Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, said: “Our friends at Red Funnel made a massive effort to support us in 2018. From day one, Red Funnel made it incredibly easy for its customers to be able to learn more about the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary and donate.
“The massive promotional effort on our behalf by Red Funnel not only translated into increased visitor numbers and additional funds to carry out our work, but also kept our morale high and gave us a source of optimism for the future.”
For more information about all three charities and to cast your vote, please visit https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/coty.
