Emergency Appeal from the Charity Action Group

The Phyllis Court Charity Action Group requests support from Club Members

Phyllis Court Club’s Charity Action Group (CAG) is launching an appeal to raise funds and awareness of the plight of two local charities. Helen and Douglas House (children’s hospice) and The Chiltern Centre (supporting young people with disabilities) could each have anticipated a healthy donation more than £15,000 in another year from Phyllis Court. However, with fundraising events cancelled due to Covid-19, CAG hope their appeal will go some way to raising all important funds for these essential local services. 

“We know all charities are finding times are tough and particularly the small local ones are really struggling due to lack of funds” explained Diana Pearman, Chair of CAG. She continued “That is why we would like to ask you to consider making a monetary donation via CAG. We very much hoped we could match or exceed the excellent sum of £36,000 raised by Members in 2019. Sadly, this was not to be, with the current Covid-19 situation. All our events have had to be cancelled with the exception of those held on-line.”

The Group, which was set up some 40 years ago to manage the requests for charitable donations frequently received by Phyllis Court Club, chooses one or two charities to support each year. Despite the difficulties 2020 has bought with it, with the help of Club Members, CAG is determined to raise a substantial amount of money for Helen and Douglas and The Chiltern Centre. 

Helen and Douglas House is a children’s hospice that helps local families cope with the challenges of looking after a terminally ill baby or child. The charity, which has remained open throughout the pandemic, explained: “These times are difficult for everyone, but especially so for those most vulnerable: the children we care for and their families. Our care team, nurses and doctors are still working hard to support them at this difficult time. The income we rely on from the public, our events and our shops has been affected. Our hospice relies on donations and we can only continue to help local families with your support. So now, more than ever, we need your help.”

The Chiltern Centre supports young adults with disabilities. It gives these young people the chance to gain greater independence, learn new skills, build friendships and have fun, and it gives them the opportunity to be ‘seen’ as a person and not to be defined by their disability. The charity explained “Each year we have to raise £200,000 in order to keep our doors open. It is community support that raises the [money] we need to provide days out, overnight stays, recreational and learning activities and so much more. It is a lifeline for our young people and their families, and it is only here because of the incredible support we have from our local community.”

Phyllis Court and the Charity Action Group appreciate all donations, big or small made by Club Members to help support these two vital local charities. 

Donations can be made digitally, via bank transfer directly to the Charity Action Group:

Account name - Phyllis Court Club Action Group
Sort Code - 60-10-35
Account number – 58823573

To find out more about the work of the Charity Action Group please contact Diana Pearman, Chair of the Charity Action Group at dianapearman@btinternet.com.