By Demelza Desforges - MIN Ambassador, 20th of July 2023.
Fundraising -Your Support Makes a Difference
Welcome to July’s blog post where we are going to remind you of the difference you make each time you donate to our Charity. Here at Mums In Need we are dedicated to confronting coercive control and supporting Mums who have left abusive partners and are enduring post-separation abuse.
The Reality of Post-Separation Abuse
It is often assumed that abusive behaviours will cease when an abusive relationship ends however this is not always the case, especially when there are children involved. Coercive control often continues way beyond a break-up and post-separation abuse is a prevalent issue affecting countless mothers. Some Mums still experience abuse many years after leaving the perpetrator. This post-separation abuse and its myriad of impacts is traumatising and exhausting. At Mums In Need we firmly believe that no mother should have to face alone the challenges created by coercive control. And it is thanks to the generosity and support of individuals like you that we can provide a lifeline to those who need it. Indeed fundraising is an essential part of the Charity’s activities. Your contributions empower and uplift the strong, courageous mums who access our service. At this point, some of you may be asking: ‘But what about men? What about dads?’. To that we will say that research shows that victims/survivors of domestic and post-separation abuse are more likely to be women, while perpetrators are more likely to be men. Though that is not always the case and of course abuse also exists in LGBTQ+ communities and there are specific support services available which we can signpost you to.
At Mums In Need, our mission is to break the silence surrounding these issues affecting Mums and their children by raising awareness and offering a safe and supportive healing space. Your donations enable us to provide practical guidance and emotional support. Together we can make a positive impact, creating resilience and promoting wellbeing, while also encouraging societal and policy changes.
Breaking the Cycle - Supporting Future Generations
Your contributions extend far beyond the here and now. By helping mums recover and regain stability, we are also contributing to breaking the cycle of abuse. Counteracting the impact of coercive control creates positive ripples which affect future generations. The support we provide helps children grow up in healthier and safer environments. Breaking the chains of abuse helps us to foster bright, happier futures.
Raising Awareness - The Power of Voices.
Fundraising isn’t just about monetary contributions; it’s also about spreading awareness. By sharing our cause and the stories of the families we support, you amplify their voices and the importance of raising awareness of post-separation abuse. Together we can inspire others to join our cause and this brings more transformative change. So please share these blog posts and follow us on social media platforms. Every little bit of action helps to make a difference.
Putting the FUN in Fundraising
Here are some of the ways we have been raising money
Sharrow Festival Stall
On Saturday 1rst of July 2023 we held a stall at a local community festival in Sheffield. Thank you to Sharrow Festival for hosting us and creating such a wonderful day enjoyed by many. Some much-needed, well-deserved, light-hearted fun and entertainment; a break from the harsh challenges of life.
Participating in this festival was an exciting opportunity to raise funds and increase the visibility of Mums In Need while also raising awareness of coercive control and post-separation abuse. The vibrant atmosphere and diverse crowd provided the perfect platform to connect with our community and share MIN’s mission alongside many beautiful souls and smiling faces.
Thanks to Soroptimists for their delicious homemade jam. It went down a treat with our punters. Thanks to our stall holders for their time and to the young people on work experience for helping out but most of all thanks to all the festival-goers who took a bit of time out of their day to come and chat with us and part with their hard-earned money, all for a great cause. The positive energy was abundant… As well as funds, we also received people’s kind offers of time and skills, watch this space for upcoming collaborations and new ways of promoting wellbeing for our service users. With the support and generosity of you all, we managed to raise £450 for Mums In Need. A special shout out to Scott, the kind guy who won the MIN 100 Club EXPRESS and donated his cash winnings straight back into the charity pot. Together we are creating a lasting impact and empowering more people to spread the word about our mission.
MIN 100 Club
Talking of MIN 100, if you're not already part of the MIN 100 Club and would like to join, here's your chance! We have some numbers available to purchase now!
The 100 Club is MIN's monthly lottery, each ticket costs £2, buy as many tickets as you like.
50% of the money raised goes directly to support MIN.
40% goes directly to the winner each month. June's prize fund was a tidy £92.00!
The remaining 10% raised each month goes towards a big Christmas prize pot for December's draw. Last December's winner won a whopping £310.60.
Joining is quick and easy. Email enquiries@mumsinneed.com today to enrol today.
Business Support
Could your company help MIN to raise more funds and awareness in Sheffield and the surrounding areas?
MIN charity tins are a great way for you to do this for us, with no cost and effort to you.
We will be sure to thank you on our social media and our website too!
If you think that you could help us with this, please contact socialmedia@mumsinneed.com
https://www.mumsinneed.com/get-involved/min-charity-tins
BakedandCaked, The Broadfield, Byron House, Empire Hair Design, Empire News, Georgies dress agency, Go Local City Rd, Lotte on the Edge, Mandala, Munch Box, La Baracca, Post office abbeydale Rd, Tesco Sharrow, Two Steps Fish and Chip Shop, Tescos Eccy Rd, Wellies, Hollies Medical Centre, The writers Workshop, The New Oak,
China Red 满庭红川菜馆, SweetnSnarkyCreations, Silverwood Pharmacy,
The Marmalade Hut Ltd, Wickersley Audiology.
Litter picking
Stanley has been showcasing marvellous community spirit by working really hard picking up litter and raising funds for Mums In Need, all with a smile on his face! He has been filling bags up with rubbish thrown by others that he sees lying around. He has done early morning beach cleans, making spaces look nicer and feel nicer to be in, and in doing this he is playing a huge part in saving the environment. By removing litter from a natural ecosystem Stanley is helping wildlife while creating better space for humans too! What a hero! Thank you for your AMAZING efforts Stanley! :)
Climbing Challenge
The same day we were at Sharrow Festival, our amazing social media and marketing lead Sara took on a huge challenge by climbing up (and down) Mount Snowdown( Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) to raise funds for Mums In Need. If you speak to Sara she might well tell you that it was cold, windy and very cloudy at the top. Her legs and toes were very sore. The way down may have been even harder than the climb up. She managed to raise £400 for Mums In Need. This money will really help the team to deliver more services for our mums and their children. So thanks a lot to everyone who sponsored her. Although she had never done this climb before, and it was not easy, she didn’t give up. Well done Sara.
The event is over, but her page will remain open for the rest of the year with donations still very much welcome. https://www.justgiving.com/page/saarha-ford-1673870763837
Soroptimists Sheffield
Soroptimists Sheffield have chosen Mums In Need to be their 'Charity of the Year' for the second year in a row. In May the presented MIN with a cheque for £2023 to match the year. One of the ways they have raised money for MIN is through a Bun Sale at King Edwards VII School, where some of the students held a stall with proceeds going to Mums In Need. Thanks to all involved. You make such a difference to improving the lives of mums affecting by post-separation abuse.
DID YOU KNOW?
We are always accepting financial donations and we are always finding new and exciting ways to increase the budget available to continue supporting our mission.
There's loads of ways for you to get involved, and fundraise for MIN. Just get in touch with what you might want to do. If you are stuck for ideas, check out our website
https://www.mumsinneed.com/get-involved/fundraise-for-us
Don't forget, when you fundraise for us you can claim your FREE MIN T-shirt. Email enquiries@mumsinneed.com
**Thank you Print and Promotion for sponsoring the T-shirts for MIN
At Mums In Need we believe that together we can make a lasting impact on the lives of mums affected by post-separation abuse. Your generous support fuels our mission and allows us to provide vital resources, love, and hope, to these brave women and their children. We invite you to join our community of change-makers, as together, we can build a future free from abuse, one donation at a time.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for helping us create a brighter and safer world for mums and their children. With your continued support we look forward to touching even more lives and making a real difference.
