Award-winning PR and marketing agency Shooting Star will be supporting the Children’s Bereavement Centre in Newark and the Marmalade Trust in Bristol as its charities of the year for 2017.
The agency, which has offices in the East Midlands and the South West, has decided to support two good causes this year and will offer PR and marketing services free of charge as well as taking part in fund raising activities over the next 12 months.
The Children’s Bereavement Centre has been providing support for children suffering from bereavement and loss from Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire for 14 years, while the Marmalade Trust operates in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and aims to reconnect older people who are vulnerable to loneliness.
The Children’s Bereavement Centre not only provides services at its site in Newark, but now also offers outreach support and hopes to expand this into Lincolnshire over the next few years.
Kate Baxter, Director of Services for the Children’s Bereavement Centre, said: “Our vision is for all local children and young people to have the support they need, when and where they need it.
“We’re really looking forward to working with Shooting Star to raise our profile, reputation and credibility and to benefit from the kind of expertise that will enable us to continue to grow.”
Marmalade Trust was founded by Amy Perrin in 2013 when she identified a lack of events on Christmas Day for older people she knew were otherwise going to be on their own.
In 2016 the charity gave companionship and a Christmas meal to over 90 guests in five restaurant venues across Bristol. This year, the charity is expanding to include a buddy system which aims to support those who are most alone with finding new friendships throughout the year.
Amy said: “We have grown quickly, and we have big plans to expand our reach and support more people out of loneliness and into friendship.
"We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Shooting Star. It will provide us with the expertise, support and resources to continue to grow and support more people."
Kate Strawson, Director of Shooting Star, said: “As a company we are passionate about giving something back to the community and since 2009 we’ve been helping charities in Lincolnshire that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford ongoing PR and marketing activity.
“Since opening a second office in Bristol in January 2016, we’re excited to be expanding our charitable efforts in the South West alongside the business.”
Director Jez Ashberry added: “We received lots of strong applications from charities which made the decision even harder. The team is delighted to now be working with two equally worthwhile local causes that do excellent work in the communities they support.”
For more information about the Children’s Bereavement Centre visit: http://www.childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk
For more information about the Marmalade Trust visit: marmaladetrust.org