Elf Academy brings festive cheer to Northeast children
More than 150 children across the Northeast will receive an extra special festive gift this year, thanks to WWT Washington’s Elf Academy graduates.
The donated gifts form part of the wetland centre’s Christmas event, which sees children enrolling on special trainee elf workshops to learn everything they need to gain an official ‘Elf Diploma’ – including gift wrapping and label writing.
As part of the experience, elves-to-be are asked to bring along a pre-loved toy or book to donate. These are then gift wrapped during the event and passed on to the charities chosen by the WWT Washington team.
Head Elf Joanne Newbury, who also works as the centre’s Learning Manager, said:
We’re always overwhelmed by the kindness of our visitors.
Donating gifts as part of our festive event offers the perfect opportunity for Elf Academy recruits to learn about generosity and kindness by passing on something to other children that they’ve loved themselves.
This year’s three charitable recipients are Rainbow Trust, Heel and Toe and Wearside Women in Need.
Jolene, a Family Support Worker from Rainbow Trust – which supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness – visited Head Elf Joanne recently, to receive their share of the 170 gifts donated by participants.
Oonagh Goodman, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, said:
We would like to thank Washington Wetland Centre. The toys will be used by Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers when they visit families caring for a seriously ill child.
Currently marking its 37th anniversary, Rainbow Trust is a national charity supporting families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever.
Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.
Heel Toe - a charity that provides a range of therapies to children with physical disabilities and complex needs – have also received their donated gifts this week.
Natalie Duncan, Fundraising Executive for Heel and Toe said:
We would like to say a huge thank you to WWT Washington Wetland Centre for choosing to support us for a second year in a row, and a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in the Elf Academy.
The staff and children are so grateful for the donated gifts! Local support like this means so much to us, as the charity receives no government funding and needs to raise £1,000,000 every year to continue providing therapy to disabled children across the Northeast.
Domestic abuse charity Wearside Women In Need will be getting the final gifts from WWT Washington later this week to pass on to families under their care.
The charity’s expert Family Support Workers engage with and support the entire family, enabling them to make the most of time together and giving them practical and emotional support for as long as it’s needed.
WWT Washington’s Joanne Newbury said:
Donating gifts is a fantastic and eco-friendly way for WWT Washington to show support for some very special organisations, during what can be a challenging and difficult time of year.
We’re delighted the gifts will make such a difference to these charities and hope to continue supporting their work in the future.
For further information about the three charities or to find out how you can support them, please visit:
Rainbow Trust https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/
Heel and Toe https://heelandtoe.org.uk/
Wearside Women In Need https://www.wwin.org.uk/
