On 4th February, Ashtons’ For Life’s Great Causes online poll came to a close. The event was once again an overwhelming success, demonstrating sheer commitment of those who care so much about supporting charities in the local community and generating vital recognition for some really great causes.
Now that the news has sunk in, the winning charities from this year’s campaign discuss what winning means to them and how the donations will help their respective great causes. Here's what they had to say:
1st place - The A-T Society (Ataxia-Telangiectasia) | Donation: £5,000
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ashtons for nominating the AT Society as one of its charities in the 2022 For Life’s Great Causes campaign and to the many supporters who voted for us, enabling us to achieve the highest number of votes and ultimately win the top award of £5,000. We are absolutely delighted with the result!
Founded by a Harpenden family in 1989, the AT Society is the only UK charity supporting children and young people living with the life limiting, disabling and degenerative condition ataxia telangiectasia (AT). It is a cruel condition and the impact on individuals and families is devastating. By the age of 10 years most children with AT are wheelchair users and need help to eat, they have a compromised immune system and a life-expectancy of just 25/26 years old.
The AT Society provides a unique combination of information, advice and bespoke support, as well as funding scientific research to improve treatments and try to find a cure. Families living with this rare genetic condition regard the charity as an essential lifeline, helping them find the best way forward through the many daily challenges they face.
We are extremely grateful to both Ashtons and to everyone who voted for us. The pandemic has meant that the AT Society has faced a significant drop in income, at a time when the needs of people affected by AT has dramatically increased. The money we will receive for all these amazing votes will really help address this and will ensure we can continue to make a very real difference to the lives of people affected by AT.”- Susie Norbury, Director of Fundraising and Operations for the AT Society.
2nd place - Appledown Rescue Kennels | Donation: £3,000
“Thank you Ashtons for running the For Life's Great Causes campaign which resulted in our charity winning £3000 for coming second. We are caring for more dogs than ever before; a greater than normal proportion of which arrived suffering the effects of serious neglect. Our time is stretched, and our costs are huge, but this donation helps us guarantee that every dog in our care gets everything they need to make them well again. We really are truly grateful.” – Julie Shelton, Appledown Rescue & Rehoming Kennels.
3rd place - Carers in Hertfordshire | Donation: £2,000
“Carers in Hertfordshire are delighted to have reached third place in this amazing campaign run by Ashtons Estate Agents. The £2000 prize money will go towards supporting over 35,000 people registered with us as caring for a family member or friend, and that support could take the shape of all of the following services:
- Training 5 volunteers to provide bereavement support for carers who have sadly lost the person they cared for.
- Offering 5 spaces to carers to attend our fantastic events that either offer training for their caring role or give them a break.
- Providing 25 hours of respite care from our Care Services in Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford.
- Paying for 25 calls from carers in need of support to talk to our Carer Support Advisors.
- Giving 50 carers a Carers Discount Passport Card that offers access to over 440 discounts.
Thank you to Ashtons for this fantastic opportunity and of course to the 1050 people who voted for us! You are helping us make carers count.” – Roma Mills, interim CEO Carers in Hertfordshire.
As a special thank you, Ashtons entered all of the wonderful supporters of the charity campaign who generated further awareness by displaying a charity board outside their home into an additional prize draw. The winner of this draw was allowed to nominate a charity of their choice to receive a separate donation of £500.
We are delighted to announce that Redbourn in Bloom received this donation thanks to being nominated by this year’s draw winner.
Pat Schofield from the charity commented, “We are delighted to receive this generous donation from Ashtons. Redbourn in Bloom is a voluntary organization and registered charity which works hard to make Redbourn a more attractive place to live. Besides our usual twice-yearly planting in hanging baskets, planters and beds we have recently replaced the very large planters at two of the main entrances to the village, and will be taking on the maintenance and replanting of the rose beds at the northern end of the High St. shortly. This donation will be a very welcome addition to our funds!”
If you would like to find out more or support this year’s charity campaign, please email greatcauses@ashtons.co.uk.
