The Emily Harris Foundation, a charity that supports the neonatal unit at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, has thanked people who have risen to the challenge of fundraising, despite the pandemic.

Among them are Cory Marsh and his partner, Deborah James (pictured presenting a cheque to Clare Harris, of the foundation).

For the past 16 months, they have raised more than £1,200 through a variety of methods, including selling face masks, asking businesses to have collection tins in their shops and, more recently as restrictions have been lifted, resuming their weekly bingo sessions at St Patrick’s Church, Forest Town.

Cory has been fundraising for around 20 years, raising almost £8,000 in the past for Mencap, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, St Patrick’s Church and a scanner appeal at King’s Mill.

“I do my fundraising because I like to help others and like to be charitable,” he said.

Knowing I can help others means a lot. My fundraising means the world to me.”

When the gamma scanner appeal came to an end, Cory looked for another hospital-based charity to support and found the Emily Harris Foundation.

Clare Harris, who manages the charity, said: “We were delighted to hear from Cory and find out that he wished to give the proceeds of his ongoing fundraising to us.

“Being a small charity, we are reliant upon the generosity of our supporters to enable us to continue our work to make life a little easier for families who find themselves on the neonatal unit.

“We have been humbled by the support shown by people like Cory and all those who support him, especially when life has been so difficult recently. For people to still consider giving to charity is amazing.”

Louise Johnson

Joe Hayes

The charity was also pleased to be supported by four people taking part in the Great North Run in September — Lynette Fox, Louise Johnson, Joe Hayes and Elspeth Wilkins-Campbell, who all took to the streets of the North-East to raise money for a cause they feel passionate about.

Between them they have raised more than £3,400 with money still coming in.

Lynette, Joe and Louise have all had experience of the neonatal unit, either with their own babies or those of family members.  They all wanted to give back to the charity that supported them so well during that time. 

λ For more information about the Emily Harris Foundation or how you can get involved in fundraising for the charity, visit www.emilyharrisfoundation.org or look for the foundation on Facebook.