A CITY firm is helping bring some festive cheer to families affected by childhood cancer, by participating in the Coventry-based Shine A Light Support Service’s Christmas appeal.
Optilan has pledged £2,000 as part of a campaign to donate unused funds set aside for festivities to a worthy cause.
Shine a Light is a charity which offers a unique range of help for families affected by childhood cancer in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The services are designed to support children and young people aged between birth and 24, along with their parents and siblings, throughout this devastating and life-changing experience.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions the charity has been unable to deliver the level of personal support it has become renowned for and the pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on its fund-raising with numerous events cancelled.
They usually generate the vital income needed to sustain the charity’s operations.
Bill Bayliss, Optilan CEO, said: “2020 has understandably been a challenging year for us all, but especially for charities who rely heavily on public donations to fund their operations.”
He added the firm was keen to lent its support to local charities and Shine A Light’s Christmas appeal was a fantastic opportunity for it to support the community.
“The reality is that Christmas will undoubtedly be different this year, but we are still determined to make it special and knowing we can help a worthy cause is extremely rewarding.”
Optilan will donate 100 gifts as part of the charity’s Christmas appeal to spread some Christmas cheer after the extremely challenging year for families affected by childhood cancer.
Those families not only faced the stress of Covid-19, but many had the additional pressure of cancer treatment and long periods of isolation whilst shielding.
Sam Schoolar, Shine a Light Support Service’s volunteer CEO, said the charity was extremely grateful for Optilan’s generous donation.
“Our young people and their families are going through so much right now.
“An unexpected gift under the tree on Christmas morning, no matter how small, can be a welcome distraction.
“It lets them know somebody is thinking about them.”
Visit shinealightss.org.uk for more on the charity.
