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The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation wants to secure enough funding to keep their flats in Southampton open for local families to use every night of the year.
The compassionate housing - comprising Aggie's Burrow, Isaaxc's Pad, and Frankie's Den - offers a 'home from home' for people using Southampton Hospital.
It is predominantly used by parents of premature or poorly infants who are being treated in the hospital's neonatal unit.
Parents of older children have also been able to use the flats while their children are undergoing treatment.
The three flats cost £66,000 per year to run and maintain, with the money all needing to be raised by the charity.
Pictured: Matthew's Hideaway at Frankie's Den.
The PPBF noticed during 2024 that some local patients are being treated at Salisbury Hospital which means they can't stay at the compassionate housing near Southampton Hospital. That and other challenges could affect the charity's work during 2025....
In amongst all of the day-to-day work carried out by the PPBF was one very special occasion during 2024. The charity's 21st birthday - coinciding with the 21st birthday of PPBF Ambassador Daniella Priaulx.
Her parents, Jo and Andy Priaulx set the charity up following Daniella's premature birth and the early arrival of her older brother Sebastian.
A spokesperson for the PPBF said the milestone anniversary of reaching 21 years "was a definite highlight".
They also welcomed more supporters on board formally as part of team-PPBF during this landmark year.
"We officially welcomed Sara Edmonds as a PPBF Ambassador in May 2024 and she was the driving force behind our summer Bike Raffle which raised over £10,000," they said.
Pictured: Vicki Le Poidevin setting up for 'Blingo'.
Fundraising events which pay for the charity's work added numerous highlights to 2024, said the PPBF.
"Blingo is always a standout night for us, and we added a ‘Corporate Night’ for the first time which will continue into this year’s event," said the spokesperson.
The money raised during 2024 helped the PPBF honour the memory of those they've helped.
"We launched Matthew’s Hideaway – a dedicated room in Frankie’s Den in honour of the late Matthew Girard who sadly passed away from cancer aged only 12. Having this space means a lot to his family and will help to keep his memory and love of LEGO alive."
There were many more highlights enjoyed by the PPBF during 2024.
"There are so many highlights that we have shared with our supporters," the spokesperson said. "All the challenges - such as Dawn and Katherine’s Epic Scottish Adventure, David Cusack’s Three Peaks Challenge, Guernsey Marathon runners achieving personal bests and the JGA Epic Week - have made us incredibly proud.
Pictured: Katherine Jane and Dawn Sealey took part in 'The Rat Race Coast to Coast' to raise money for the PPBF last year.
"Many of the little ones we have supported have celebrated double digit birthdays this year, and receiving the news that a baby or child can finally go home after treatment is a ‘forever highlight’ for us."
Through its support of families at their own most challenging times, the PPBF experienced challenges of its own.
The charity has also predicted that changes in the demand for its services will see further challenges arise throughout 2025.
"2024 has been a very challenging year for our sector with the costs of basic goods and services going up," they said. "We've felt this, especially with the funds needed to run our compassionate housing next to Southampton Hospital as this is an ongoing challenge, rather than one target to hit.
"Multiple reports demonstrate how charities are under pressure due to increased running costs, more people turning to non-profit organisations to seek help and communities having less money available to donate. We also know how much the NHS is struggling, and some of our families have been transferred to other hospitals (e.g. Salisbury and Portsmouth) if needed. This will continue to be an ongoing challenge in addition to the high demand for our flats."
With tens of thousands of pounds needed to cover the running and maintenance costs of its compassionate housing, raising that money will continue to be a priority for the PPBF during 2025.
The charity is hoping to achieve enough sponsorship to cover each night in each of its three flats throughout this year. That would mean the three properties can remain available for people to use.
"We would absolutely love to see a star appear on every single date of our online Buy-A-Night calendars for Aggie’s Burrow, Isaac’s Pad and Frankie’s Den," said the PPBF. "This would be the dream – for our flats to have secured funding, year on year, so that we can keep our doors open for Guernsey families.
"Annually, we reset our targets on our birthday (17 November) and our Buy-A-Night campaign currently sits at 49% of nights sold until November of this year.
"Reaching 100% for another year in a row would be one of the best gifts we could ask for."
Pictured top and above: All images supplied.
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