Celebrating 10 years of being a home-from-home for families
10 years ago this year, we got the key to the brand-new, purpose-built Russell House, the key that unlocked vital and pioneering care for local children and their families, all under one roof.
Since then, Russell House has become a real home-from-home for hundreds of families, somewhere they can feel safe, supported and able to make the most of every moment.
Families like Susan’s. Susan’s daughter Maci spent the last few days of her life at Russell House. She was just 13 and had been suffering from a brain tumour.
“Russell House was like a home-from-home, somewhere safe and special for us all to be together. Maci was well cared for at the hospital, but it was clinical. It felt out of my control. At Russell House, it was about what we wanted. The whole family could be here, Maci’s little sister Ruby could play on the swing in the garden, I could have a bath, we could all have Sunday dinner – and still be close to Maci. We feel lucky that we were able to come to Russell House, to spend time with Maci somewhere comfortable, somewhere like home. For me, Russell House is where Maci is. That’s why I fundraise for Forget Me Not. I want Russell House to always be here. For me and for other families like mine.”
That Russell House is here at all is down to the hard work and sheer determination of families, volunteers, staff and supporters. And it will only be here in 10 years’ time, ensuring hundreds more families facing or living with the loss of their child get the care they so desperately need, with your continued support.
“Russell House was like a home-from-home, somewhere safe and special for us all to be together"
Throughout 2021, we’ll be marking this milestone birthday by remembering the many lives lived and memories made at the hospice, by celebrating how together we created a very special place and by looking ahead to the next 10 years.
There are lots of ways you can get involved in our 10 year celebrations
As an individual
Set up a regular donation
Could you make a small regular gift throughout this milestone year?
Take part in one of our events
Keep an eye on our events page as we launch a calendar packed with new exciting events
Do your own thing
Whether you have an idea of your own or would like some help from one of our fundraisers - the possibilities are endless!
As a business
Join our 99er business club
In 2021, you can join our 99er business club for just £10 per month!
Sign up to payroll giving
Could you make it easy for your employees to give monthly by signing up?
Choose us as charity of the year
There's never been a better year to choose us as your charity partner! We've got a lot to celebrate about the past 10 years, but need your help to be here for another 10. Get in touch if your company is looking for an exciting charity partner for 2021!
10 Year news
All the latest news, announcements and stories from our 10 year celebrations!
08 April 2021
Luen's blog: A golden egg
In her latest blog, our CEO reflects on Easter and the start of a new year for Forget Me Not.
It’s Easter and I’ve been reflecting on what this means as we look forward to a fresh new year.
On March 23rd we all took part in a national day of reflection, holding a minute’s silence and lighting lights of hope on our doorsteps. We reflected on all that we had lost: loved ones, our way of life, employment, leisure time, family time and the ability to hug each other.
So it’s lovely to be able to celebrate Easter and look forward to a better year ahead. I hope you were able to enjoy an Easter egg or two and reflect on what they symbolize - new life and rebirth.
This year, Easter coincides with the start of our new financial year, a time when we think about how we will breathe new life into the charity – by shaping a business plan and setting a budget to ensure the funding is available to support that plan. With so little sustainable funding around, every year is like starting from scratch with a whole new set of ideas. Of course, we work hard to turn those ideas into community action that raises the funds we need to support local families. So far in our history, this creativity has worked and we have become a much-loved and well-supported part of the community. But it is always a leap of faith.
Over the next year, it’s going to be even harder. Harder because our shops have been closed for so long, harder because our events still can’t run as normal and harder because the emergency support from government is now drying up, leaving a huge gap to fill.
And it’s harder because new life is something that hasn’t stopped during the pandemic. The numbers of children being born with life-limiting conditions in West Yorkshire is one of the highest in the country and is growing. These families will need help over the coming months and years and can’t rely on a leap of faith.
So at Easter, we don’t just need eggs, we need a golden egg! A golden egg that will help us to keep our services running until our shops are fully trading again and until friends, families and support groups can once again come together to fundraise and participate in our community events.
Can you help? There are so many ways that you can support us or perhaps you have a 'golden egg' you could donate? However you can support us in the year ahead, thank you and Happy Easter.
Events
We're celebrating 10 years with a full calendar of events and challenges for you to enjoy! Look out for the launch of a brand new event where we challenge you to take on a firewalk. And the very welcome return of our hugely popular Colour Run!
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Firewalk & LegoWalk
Dates: 05 – 05 Jun, 2021
Get fired up!
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Gaming Challenge
Dates: 01 Mar – 30 Apr, 2021
Be a hero for children and families!
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Yorkshire Three/One Peak Challenge
Dates: 12 Jun, 2021
How many of the Yorkshire Peaks can you take on?
Read more
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Leeds Half Marathon
Dates: 05 Sep, 2021
Half marathon across the heart of Leeds City Centre.
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Leeds 10k
Dates: 05 Sep, 2021
Great personal best potential!
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Great North Run
Dates: 12 Sep, 2021
The world’s greatest half marathon!
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Great Manchester Run
Dates: 26 Sep, 2021
A running event like no other!
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10K Challenge
Dates: 01 Jan – 31 Mar, 2021
Can you take on our 10k challenge to celebrate our 10 year anniversary?
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Skydive
Dates: 11 Sep, 2021
What an incredible rush!
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Skydive
Dates: 12 Jun, 2021
What an incredible rush!
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Skydive
Dates: 09 Oct, 2021
What an incredible rush!
Read more
Take a tour of Russell House
If you've never been to Russell House, our purpose-built children’s hospice, then why not take a virtual tour? Join us on a 360 tour as we show you round and tell you more about what we do here to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families.
Keep up to date!
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