Support
In addition to the support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, The British Heart Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, Funny Blood is also supported by local and National Businesses and Charitable Trusts.
Contact A Family provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. Contact a Family’s mission and purpose is to remove the barriers imposed by society which prevent families with disabled children achieving their full potential, and to empower these families to live the lives they want to lead. Last year, Contact A Family helped over 300,000 families with disabled children. The Contact A Family team have links to various organisations and have helped Ruby and her family by putting them in touch with The Roald Dahl Foundation who provide a support via their Marvellous Children’s Charity – for those living with either neurological or haematological conditions.
Ruby is an Ambassador for Contact A Family, working with them to support others. Funny Blood was asked to attend the Prime Minister’s Christmas Party to represent Contact A Family at The Children of Courage celebrations in December 2011 – check out the NEWS section for more details …
Funny Blood is a member of the Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce - an independent organisation funded by the subscriptions of members to bring businesses together across the community. As a member, Funny Blood can network with business people across the two counties, which in turn provides invaluable help and advise as well as funding options to the business.
Funny Blood has received help and advice from Community First which is the Rural Community Council in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. They aim to build better local communities by advising, informing and supporting community groups and voluntary organisations.
Safety
Safety equipment
To help keep Noah safe he he often wears protective gear – alongside constant supervision – to prevent the risk of falls or other injury. Noah’s original helmet was bought from Thudguard (via Safetots) who have been fantastic in helping Ruby find other routes to buy protective gear. This helmet is recommended for children up to 2 and Thudguard do not yet have one for older children. Thudguard also found the following link to Comfy Caps in the US. A little closer to home, the NHS’s Orthotic Services can also provide safety equipment such as a helmet. An initial consultation can be undertaken via a referral from your GP.
Links
Funny Blood has had direct contact with a number of charitable and government funded organisations over the years. We suggest contacting some of the following organisations if you’re looking to secure funding or advice on where to turn :
The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled children to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life. It gives grants for things that make life easier and more enjoyable for the disabled child and their family, such as washing machines, driving lessons, hospital visiting costs, computers and holidays.
Worcester Parent Carer’s Council – WPCC
The WPCC are a friendly and helpful organisation who are also a registered charity supporting parents and carers who have children with a disability or additional needs. Family fun is at the heart of their groups activities and group outings for all the family provide an opportunity for our children to play with their peers in a safe environment.
Worcestershire Association of Carers
This local association provide different support services, practical sessions and social groups.
The National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS)
The National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS) is a registered charity that supports, links and promotes a network of quality Family Information Services across England, Wales & Scotland. Family Information Services provide information, advice and assistance to parents, carers and professionals on the range of children, family and young people’s services available within their area and are an ideal starting point for any family-related query you may have. List of all Family Information Services across the UK
Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) is a campaign to get rights and justice for every disabled child. They work closely with the disabled children’s sector and their 34,000 supporters to lobby Government to ensure disabled children and their families have the services and supportthey need to lead ordinary lives.
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) aims to make a difference to the lives of disabled children and children with special educational needs. They do this by influencing Government policy, working with local agencies to translate policy into practice and producing guidance on issues affecting the lives of disabled children.
Thanks
Little Blossoms Day Nursery / Clives Fruit Farm
Special thanks go to Jane and Charlie Clive for their continuing support of Funny Blood. The Clives – a local family – have provided Noah with first class care at their children’s nursery as well as a venue for fundraising efforts over the past few years x
In 2011, Funny Blood was sponsored by Track Torque - motor racing fanatics based in North Yorkshire – when they teamed up with the Fun Cup and supported Funny Blood in raising awareness of Noah’s condition. Please see the Funny Blood Blog on the NEWS section of the site.
New Hope Worcester – founded by Jean Wilson – is a not for profit Specialist provision working with families who have children with disabilities and complex health care needs. New Hope provides daytime short break care , for children aged 6-19 years of age. New Hope are open every school holiday throughout the year, and every Saturday.
New Hope Worcester and Funny Blood – both founded by Mums on a mission – are working in partnership to help raise awareness of these local organisations.
Local support
Funny Blood has gratefully received support and donations from many local people and businesses including Morgan Cars, Worcester Warriors, Holywell Water, Bulmer’s Cider, Weston’s Cider, Malvern Instruments, Harrison-Clark, Chamber of Commerce, Malvern St James Sports and Fitness Centre, Dytecna, Malvern Motorcycle Club, Malvern Skittles League, Malvern Spa, Eastnor Castle, Three Counties Showground, Belle Beauty, Bredon Hill Foods and Nurse’s Cottage Drinks, Mad As A March Hare, Micro Scooter, JMart, THE fitNESS BUNKER, Pepper-Digital, Heather Buchanan, Trevor Hill, Tiltridge Vineyard, Lincoln Dental Practice, Tinsmiths, Sway Dance, Alison Spiers Photography, Vanilla and Project Linus UK.
And finally…
