In a remarkable demonstration of support over 5,000 donors ensured Kisharon can continue to thrive raising over £1.65 million so the charity can continue to fund its essential SEN and learning disability services for children and adults they support. The fundraising campaign, given the theme ‘THRIVE’, illustrated the value Kisharon places on each individual is the the most successful fundraiser to date for Kisharon.
After a very busy 36 hours, Chief Executive Richard Franklin said: “Everyone involved with Kisharon understands just how important the support for learning disabilities is and the need to fill the funding gap that unfairly exists for people with complex learning needs. I cannot thank all the team champions enough for their wonderful generosity and amazing spirit of support that they and the donors have shown Kisharon through this year’s match funding appeal. I’ve had the privilege to be involved with a heart-warming community of people with learning disabilities and the Kisharon family will thrive thanks to you all”.
Chronic underfunding is set to remain for social care services for the learning-disabled community, which, together with the cost-of-living crisis, means funding pressures are greater than ever. The excess of £1.65 million raised, will go towards the £2.2 million required to fund essential services for people supported by Kisharon – to ensure everyone can thrive. Every donation made was doubled by generous matchers via the Charity Extra platform.
Richard Franklin added “The success of the campaign demonstrates how our community want to ensure that every single member thrives without fear or favour and that we can retain and indeed increase on the donations that we have received during the cost-of-living crisis, at a third year of online fundraising speaks volume for the Jewish priority our Jewish community are proud to support.”
One of the 168 teams for the campaign was created by Kisharon College students.
The students had a variety of sessions at college about how Kisharon run the charity and they independently chose to fundraise. Creating their page themselves on the computer and agreeing a target, the students went to every effort to promote their page and fantastically raised over £26,000! Aviva Braunold, College Manager said:
“I am deeply humbled by people’s immense support and generosity. We never expected to reach this point. The students set up their own page and agreed on a 10k target.
The students’ initiative, hard work and drive is something we can all learn from. They feel so proud and have such a sense of achievement from more than doubling their goal”!
Student Shloimy joined Chief Executive, Richard Franklin at Kisharon Head Office and helped make phone calls to team leaders thanking them. Shloimy was so inspired and said: “I would like to become the Deputy Chief Executive”, Richard Franklin shared, “Shloimy has a fantastic telephone manner and enjoyed talking to people so much”. Student Pini also joined Head Office and shared the exciting countdown as Kisharon neared its target alongside team leaders and participants.
Carolyn Rozenberg, Director of Fundraising said: “We are so grateful for the incredible commitment of our champions and their desire to support people with learning disabilities. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and thank all the donors so much. Thanks to your unbelievable generosity and dedication. The people we support will continue to learn, grow, prosper and thrive”.
Kisharon’s attention now turns to completing a set of fundraising challenges to further raise money towards the £2.2 million. Challenges included The Maccabi Fun Run, London Bridges Walk and a Golf Day. www.kisharon.org.uk/calendar/category/challenges
Donations can still be made at: www.kisharon.org.uk
All donations are greatly appreciated and every donation will help the people Kisharon supports to thrive.
