'25 to 50' - Match Funding for Jessie's Fund

[p]I am looking to raise £50,000 by the end of Jessie’s Fund’s 25th anniversary in 2020. This will allow Jessie's Fund to provide more music therapy in childrens hospices and hospital wards for children across the UK. I have pledged to match fund, yes double, each and every gift up to a total of £25,000 so we reach a grand total of £50,000. Please contribute if you can. [/p][p]Why Jessie's Fund and why now??[/p][p]Not long after our elder daughter started primary school, I joined the Parent Teachers Association. At my first meeting in late 1995, the Head mentioned that a charity had been established to the memory of a pupil who had died recently from a brain tumour. That pupil was Jessie George. Something resonated with me – I have never forgotten that introduction.[/p][p]Roll on nearly 20 years. It was time for Tamara and me to update our wills. We rewrote our wills to include significant donations to charity - from the outset we knew we wanted to include Jessie’s Fund on that list. Tragically, only five months into retirement, Tamara was diagnosed, like Jessie, with a terminal brain tumour. She died less than a year later in August 2015.[/p][p]In the time since Tamara died, I have reflected on our earlier view about giving money to charities when we die. Wouldn’t it be better to make donations to projects that I can see and influence during my lifetime? Wouldn’t it be even better if I can encourage others to join me to take the important work of Jessie’s Fund forward? Wouldn’t it be great if you could join me? How about a Match Funding scheme??[/p][p]2020 marks the 25th anniversary of Jessie’s Fund. There are many projects which need additional funding. My campaign will provide funds to support neuro rehabilitation as well as shorter term needs across the UK. The children often have complex conditions and often respond more positively to music than to other forms of stimulation. Funds raised by "25 to 50" will be targeted where it is most needed across the UK.[/p][p]I so hope that you and your friends will wish to donate and, maybe, dig a little deeper knowing your donation will be doubled to make an even bigger difference. Please Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer. Let's provide more funding to benefit more children with more music therapy.[/p][p]For more information, please visit the Jessie's Fund website - https://www.jessiesfund.org.uk/[/p][p]Thank you so much[/p][p]Stuart[/p]