Oldmeldrum-based charity, Kayleigh’s Wee Stars (KWS) has welcomed several generous donations and relaunched its main flagship fundraising event, the Barra 10k, as it bids to raise £100k in its 10th year of supporting children with a terminal diagnosis and their families.
KWS was set up in 2012 by Jonathan and Anna Cordiner after losing their two-year-old daughter Kayleigh to a terminal brain tumour. Kayleigh was diagnosed in December 2011, and her parents took time off work, making it their mission to make her last few months the most special of their lives.
Jonathan and Anna established the charity to help other families in the same position to make memories with their child, regardless of their circumstances. KWS provides grants to families to fund specialist equipment, family holidays or just to relieve any financial strain and allow parents to take time off work and spend precious time with their child.
Due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic, fundraising has been severely curtailed over the last two years. Nonetheless the charity – which receives an average of six funding applications per month - strives to support all families facing financial crisis who approach them.
The cancellation of the much-loved Barra 10k event had a significantly detrimental impact on their fundraising for the past two years, so its safe reintroduction in 2022 is a huge boost. Entries are now open for the event which will take place on Saturday 28th May, and includes junior races before the main 10k run.
The charity is extremely grateful for the recent generous donations from local businesses, energy operators and service companies, and organisations including Kellands School, Crimond Pharmacy, and Rebecca Watt who ran the London Marathon in aid of KWS. However, they will continue to work hard to raise ongoing funding if they are to reach their target of raising £100k to support families during the most difficult time of their lives.
Fiona Heinonen, the charity’s first chief executive commented: “Our ambitious target to raise £100k will ensure our longer-term viability and give us confidence that we will be able to continue supporting families until 2023. We’re overwhelmed by the large donations we’ve received so far and can’t thank them enough for their kindness. These will help us to support the increasing number of families who are in need of our help. Allowing us to ensure families don’t have financial worries, when they are going through an incredibly tough time, is absolutely what drives us.”
KWS co-founder, Jonathan Cordiner, said: “We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received recently from both business and individuals. Without them we wouldn’t have survived the last two years, and because of them we’ve been able to help 92 families with grants totalling almost £150k over the past 2 years.
“Now it’s time for KWS to ensure we’re here for the long term, and we’re excited for the return of our flagship event and hope to sell out the tickets to maximise funding. We look forward to welcoming previous and new runners to the event, and we’re proud to bring them into our family of dedicated supporters.”
For more information about the Barra 10k or to enter please visit: https://www.kayleighsweestars.co.uk/events/barra.
For further information on the charity, upcoming events and how to donate visit www.kayleighsweestars.co.uk.