Children and families support by wind farm operator during Covid-19

Volunteers at Sunshine Wishes Children's Charity

One of Scotland’s biggest onshore wind operators has provided a significant boost to a charity helping some of the most vulnerable children and families cope with the Covid-19 crisis.

Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity, which is based in Glasgow, grants wishes to sick and terminally ill children all over Scotland, but also helps families who are in desperate need of basic essentials; a problem that has significantly increased amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity has been supporting children and their families across the city and further afield, including Edinburgh, Livingston and Ayr.

Since March it has helped 169 families and 408 children, by providing them with items including food parcels, toiletries, baby food, nappies, gas and electricity top-ups, and other everyday items that people take for granted.

The charity’s fund was boosted following two donations from Community Windpower totalling £4,500, which has come from the wind farm operator’s dedicated Covid-19 crisis fund.

Linda Ford, a trustee of Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity, said: “The focus of our support changed significantly in March due to Covid-19, meaning our fundraising channels were stretched when requests for help came in.

“We’re extremely grateful for all donations received, including financial, food and everyday items; it’s enabled us to help more children and families than we thought possible.

“The two donations from Community Windpower’s Covid-19 crisis fund have been invaluable and we can’t thank them enough for this support.

“The money has helped our fundraising to generate almost £20,000, which is making a real difference to people’s lives.

“It allows us to continue to offer help and support to many families across Glasgow and surrounding areas.”

The charity has been inundated with requests for urgent help from foodbanks, community groups and families.

It has also had to address the issue of getting supplies to those who, because of Covid-19, cannot leave their home. This has meant the small team (2-4) of volunteers have been working almost round the clock to not only purchase, but deliver, essential supplies direct to those who need it most.

Linda continued: “A further factor in the need for support is the number of jobs that have already been lost, and the expected job losses which will happen in the very near future, as this will have a long-term effect on many families, meaning our services will be needed more than ever.

“Along with supporting families with basic essentials we have also set up a project to help families, who are struggling financially, by supplying them with school uniforms/footwear and warm winter coats for their children.

“We’re also working with nurseries who are referring children needing support and also teenage mums, often providing the basic essentials of nappies and warm clothing, something many people simply take for granted.

“The reaction we see from people is often overwhelming and they are so grateful for the help. It makes such a big difference to them and it’s why we’re working with our volunteers, funders and donors to help during this pandemic.”

All support from Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity volunteers is being carried out while strictly adhering to Government guidelines.

This includes the sanitising of packages, wearing face masks and social distancing.

Diane Wood, community benefits director at Community Windpower, who set up the company’s £255,000 Covid-19 crisis fund, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is causing many families problems which is why, together with the Dalry Parish Boundary Trust, we initially agreed to help Sunshine Wishes Children's Charity project.

“When we saw just what a difference our initial support was helping the charity do, we agreed to provide even further funds.

“It’s heartbreaking to know there are children and families without basic essentials, so at unprecedented times like these we all need to pull together and help each other, which is why our Covid-19 fund was set up.

“I hope the fantastic work done by Sunshine Wishes Children's Charity will continue to bring support to many more children and their families.”

To help continue the work done by Sunshine Wishes Children’s Charity donations can be made on the Just Giving website www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/swcc.

Back to News