4Com, the telecommunications provider to UK SME’s, have announced The Isabel Baker Foundation as their 2022 charity partner. The company’s charity search began in July and saw over 30 charities apply to be the beneficiaries of at least £30,000.
The Isabel Baker Foundation’s application centered around their Dry Suit appeal; providing dry suits to children who have cancer, which enables them to enjoy basic activities like taking a bath or using a paddling pool despite having a Central Venous or Hickman line as part of their treatment. The Hickman line is fitted into the heart so that medication can be given and bloods can be taken; this line must not get wet. The charity’s founder, Vicky Turner, explained why the cause is so important, “Dry suits are specially made to fit the child, ensuring they stay safe and dry whilst allowing them to enjoy splashing in the bath, playing in the paddling pool and even the sea.
From the feedback we have received from families, we know this makes a difference to the whole families’ mental health and wellbeing. As far as I am aware, we are the only charity focused on providing these dry suits to children with cancer. Every summer we get a huge influx of applications, so we know they are very much needed.”
Dean Cartledge, 4Com’s Chief Operating Officer and Head of the 4Com Foundation, paid tribute to the charity, saying “We’re delighted to have announced The Isabel Baker Foundation as our charity partner for 2022. They are a great local charity doing work that makes a real difference to the lives of those children suffering from cancer. We’re looking forward taking on our 25-mile Purbeck trek in their honour.”
4Com’s CEO, Gary Scutt, added, “We’re proud of our history of raising life-changing amounts of money for worthy causes, and The Isabel Baker Foundation’s Dry Suit appeal is a wonderful continuation of that legacy. The team have been training hard towards the 4-25 challenge on the 24th September, and knowing the reason why we’re doing will give us all extra motivation.”
The Isabel Baker Foundation was founded in September 2015 by Vicky Turner, Isabel’s Mum. Isabel was diagnosed with cancer at 3 weeks old in 2014 and battled her whole life before passing away 8 days after her first birthday. She was so brave, she always smiled and was always happy, and so Vicky began the charity in her memory, initially to help bereaved parents. Having observed that whilst there was support while children were undergoing treatment, this lapsed when the children passed away, and then there were funeral costs to contend with at a time when money would already be tight.
In 2018 they went to parliament to support Carolyn Harris MP and her Funeral Fund Campaign, which was implemented in 2019, meaning that all funerals were now free for children in the UK. As a result of this, the charity received less applications for bereavement support and decided to turn their focus to funding dry suits. The charity’s main aim now is to fund dry suits for children with cancer so they can enjoy the water safely. Dry suits are specially made to fit the child, ensuring they stay safe and dry whilst allowing them to enjoy splashing in the bath, playing in the paddling pool, and even the sea.
To make a donation on the dedicated JustGiving page, please click here. All donations received will be matched by The 4Com Foundation.
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