Blog by Ruth McDonald, Save the Children’s Practice Development Advisor in Wales
On June 3rd during National Volunteers' Week and as a birthday fundraiser, my husband Paul and I will be joining some Save the Children supporters from all corners of Wales to brave the world's fastest zip wire ride!
The challenge will take place at Zip World in Penrhyn Quarry, north Wales where a group of 30 of us will be taking the plunge and reaching new hights in our fundraising efforts for the charity.
The challenge has been organised by a group of committed and dedicated Save the Children branch members who have volunteered to raise money for the charity for decades and are continuing to think of innovative ways to do so, despite the challenges created by the pandemic. Charities such as ours have so much to thank them for all they do.
The money we will raise will help children facing rising poverty, hunger and loss of education due to the pandemic. Children here in Wales have also been impacted by economic hardships and the charity has been able to help by providing emergency grants for food vouchers, essential household items and learning resources and devices to help with home learning.
HELPING FAMILIES DURING THE PANDEMIC
Over the past year I have seen first-hand the difference our Emergency Response grant programme has made to over 1200 families in Wales since the start of lockdown.
I’ve cried over tragic stories of parents who have gone without food themselves to feed their children or who sleep on the floor because they don’t have enough beds or bedding. Some families don’t even have a washing machine or other important essential household items – all of which has been exacerbated by the crisis.
Since the start of the pandemic many parents have lost their jobs and found themselves drowning in debt, needing to claim benefits and relying on food banks. Money raised will be used to help these families because we know that sadly children living in poverty are also less likely to do well in school. It’s hard to give children the attention they need when there are so many other stresses to deal with.
I’ve spoken to parents such as Stacey from Newport, whose cake-making business abruptly ended with the lockdown, and she had to start claiming Universal Credit. Stacey’s partner was also made redundant as the company he worked for suddenly closed. Money became tight as they struggled to pay for food, gas, electricity and running the car. The family received a Save the Children Emergency Response Grant to buy a new washing machine when theirs broke earlier this year. They also received an early learning pack and Lego toy set for their young daughter. Stacey said the grant was a lifesaver!
It’s stories like this that make me want to help even more families through our work.
Ruth McDonald, with husband Paul, is taking on the world's fastest zip line for Save the Children UK
DOING IT FOR BEN
I’m also dedicating this very scary ‘one moment' to my awesome son Ben because it’s something he had wanted to do, but sadly never got the chance.
Ben died suddenly and without any warning on 7th October 2018. He went into cardiac arrest (SADS) as he crossed the finish line of the Cardiff Half Marathon. He was only twenty-five and super fit and healthy. If you’re interested, you can read more about him in my One Moment blog.
Ben was always up for a challenge! I’m not brave or adventurous like him but he constantly inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.
He loved hearing about my work and telling me about his. He passionately believed that every child deserves the best start in life. As a newly qualified schoolteacher he had already left his mark in some of the most challenged schools in Cardiff. He made learning fun and loved seeing children achieve their potential, often against the odds!
So... Ben this is for you and all the children you loved working with. Just wish you could be here to cheer me on!
HOW TO SUPPORT?
To support and donate to the Team Save the Children Wales Zip Wire Challenge please visit www.justgiving.com/team/World
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