Set up in 2009 by Paul and Kerry Martin, Smiling Families brings much needed care and support to local children who suffer illness or witness and care for parents suffering from illness, by holding events or financially supporting them. The charity offers mental health support for young carers and a 24 hour help line. In addition, those who are affected by illness from child-birth can come together and take part in fun activities held by the charity, such as summer fayres and Christmas events that they wouldn’t normally be able to do in everyday life.
The Cala Homes Midlands team will support and raise funds for the charity through various events and activities throughout the year, with Cala colleagues, subcontractors and suppliers all getting involved. The money that Smiling Families receives will be used towards the cost of the charity’s annual fun day, taking children and parents on days out, and assist with the funding for emergency home moves.
Kerry Martin, founder of Smiling Families, said: “After the traumatic birth of our child, which resulted in a life-threatening illness and ongoing health concerns, Paul and I discovered that there were very few opportunities to make contact with other families in similar circumstances. It was at this point that we set up Smiling Families, and we have since arranged several family fun days to give parents affected by illness through childbirth, or children who are born with disabilities, the chance to enjoy themselves and relax as a family unit.
“We feel extremely lucky to have the support of Cala Homes, and we thank the team for supporting us. We rely heavily on donations to support the dreams of the families who depend on us, and the funding will make such a huge difference to both the children and the parents' lives.”
Neil Simpson, Regional Director of Cala Homes Midlands, comments: “We are delighted to be supporting Smiling Families, a local charity to our Midlands head office. The charity initially got in touch with us, and following meeting with them and hearing their story, it was a unanimous decision that we really wanted to support them. The huge effort that they put in for the local community and differences they make on people’s lives really touched us. We look forward to raising funds throughout the year for a very worthwhile organisation.”
For more information about Smiling Families, www.smilingfamiliescharity.co.uk.
