Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children has been chosen as the charity which will benefit from River Island’s festive fundraising this year, meaning a huge boost to families needing specialist equipment across the UK.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, taking place tomorrow (Thursday 3 December), River Island will donate 10p for every ‘like’ it receives on a dedicated social post on the @riverisland Instagram page to mark the day, meaning those that wish to support the campaign can be involved through the like to donate initiative.
The campaign will support the charity’s Play Therapy Pods service and enable children to live their best life.
DO SOMETHING WONDERFUL
Mrs Sheila Brown, co-founder and CEO of Newlife, says: “We are so grateful to everyone at River Island and their wonderful customers for the loyal support they have shown Newlife over the last 30 years, and particularly so this Christmas.”
River Island has supported Newlife since the beginning of its journey 30 years ago, and this support has never been more celebrated than now during this difficult year for the charity.
Through their festive Wonder Island campaign, people are invited to Do Something Wonderful – with celebrations reaching a crescendo the weekend of 5 and 6 December, with River Island staff actively promoting the campaign in-store.
“It has been an exceptionally difficult year for the charity but we are delighted that, thanks to River Island asking people to join them in doing something wonderful, we will end the year being able to help so many more families with disabled and terminally ill children around the UK this Christmas,” continues Mrs Brown.
DONATIONS
During December Newlife will be featured in River Island stores, with shoppers able to donate by:
- Texting WONDER to 70500 to donate £5 (texts cost £5 donation plus one message at your standard network rate. Always get the bill payer’s permission)
- Donating via collection tins located within select River Island stores
- Donating online here
- Like a Post to make a donation! – on International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd Dec), River Island will donate 10p for every ‘like’ it receives on a dedicated Instagram post on the @riverisland page
Newlife has been hit exceptionally hard by the pandemic as its retail stores are its main source of income but, despite them closing during both lockdowns, the charity continued to operate its vital services.
“As a brand, we’ve long supported the outstanding work that Newlife does to support the development and wellbeing of children,” enthuses Will Kernan, River Island CEO.
“This year has been particularly challenging, so I am delighted that we are able to ramp up our efforts for this exceptional charity and dosomething wonderful for a cause that is truly close to our hearts.”
PERSONAL
The work Newlife do to support disabled children and their loved ones is second to none, and their services are vital for many, including three-year-old, Ruby-Rose Schwab.
Ruby-Rose has benefited from a Newlife Play Therapy Pod; born with a cyst growing in her brain, Ruby-Rose is living with half a brain causing delays in her development and loss of skills developed including speech and mobility.
Claire Strong, Ruby-Rose’s mum, adds: “Ruby-Rose gets so excited when her Play Therapy Pod arrives, she can’t wait to see what’s inside and loves exploring all the new toys.
“There is such a wide variety of toys that keep her engaged and encourage her to play with her two sisters.”
To find out more about Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children and what the charity does to help families in need, visit their website here.