Charity director on helping hardest hit families

Joanna Duggan has been involved in the charity sector for over 20 years, writes Feron Jayawardene.

She is the director of fundraising and communications at Newlife charity, the chosen charity of the Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce where she is also a board member.

The charity, formed 30 years ago, provides specialist equipment to children with disabilities.

“I took on this role at Newlife 18 months ago to grow awareness and funding, ” she tells me in a resolute voice over the phone coupled with determination.

This was during a time where the economy was finally getting back to its feet after a yearlong disability caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are the UK 's largest charity provider of specialist disability equipment. Our main goal is to ensure that disabled and terminally ill children get the best possible start in life and have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, ” Joanna says.

The UK-wide charity based in Staffordshire provides specialist equipment, a nurse led helpline, signposting and support services, and is a lifeline for families in dire need of life-changing and life-saving equipment.

It supports over 3000 disabled children every year with specialist equipment worth over £1 million, provides a loan of sensory toys to 1,500 children and the helpline delivers over 5,000 instances of care, information and support.

Joanna continues: “All the funds to support the work we do comes either from our retail operations or from fundraising. We have 10 stores across the UK now, and we opened our second largest store last year at High Wycombe.

The stores recycle goods from major high street retailers, helping them achieve their environmental and social responsibility policies. The stores offer a variety of goods including clothing, textiles, footwear, accessories, house wares, etc.

Looking ahead at the future, Joanna is keen to build and foster new relationships through the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).

“The GBCC provides a great new opportunity to increase awareness of our charity. I also want to thank all the members of the Cannock chamber for nominating Newlife and for the support given to us throughout the year.

“This year, we want to reach more families than ever before, to ensure disabled and terminally ill children get the best possible start in life.

“Families raising a disabled child are being hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis. ”

On an ending note, Joanna says the charity plans to launch a 'Mobility Matters ' campaign in the spring to help raise vital funds in order to support 500 families with specialist mobility equipment.

“There are many ways a business can partner with us, Joanna says.

“We would be keen to talk to anyone interested in joining us to help change more children 's lives.

“To talk to us about fundraising and awareness opportunities you can contact the team on fundraise@newlifecharity.co.uk or visit www.newcharity.org.uk to find out more about the work we do. ”