Award-winning PR and marketing agency Shooting Star will be supporting the Children’s Bereavement Centre in Newark and the Marmalade Trust in Bristol as its charities of the year for 2017.

The agency, which has offices in the East Midlands and the South West, has decided to support two good causes this year and will offer PR and marketing services free of charge as well as taking part in fund raising activities over the next 12 months.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre has been providing support for children suffering from bereavement and loss from Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire for 14 years, while the Marmalade Trust operates in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and aims to reconnect older people who are vulnerable to loneliness.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre not only provides services at its site in Newark, but now also offers outreach support and hopes to expand this into Lincolnshire over the next few years.

Kate Baxter, Director of Services for the Children’s Bereavement Centre, said: “Our vision is for all local children and young people to have the support they need, when and where they need it.

“We’re really looking forward to working with Shooting Star to raise our profile, reputation and credibility and to benefit from the kind of expertise that will enable us to continue to grow.”

Marmalade Trust was founded by Amy Perrin in 2013 when she identified a lack of events on Christmas Day for older people she knew were otherwise going to be on their own.

In 2016 the charity gave companionship and a Christmas meal to over 90 guests in five restaurant venues across Bristol. This year, the charity is expanding to include a buddy system which aims to support those who are most alone with finding new friendships throughout the year.

Amy said: “We have grown quickly, and we have big plans to expand our reach and support more people out of loneliness and into friendship.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by Shooting Star.  It will provide us with the expertise, support and resources to continue to grow and support more people.”

Kate Strawson, Director of Shooting Star, said: “As a company we are passionate about giving something back to the community and since 2009 we’ve been helping charities in Lincolnshire that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford ongoing PR and marketing activity.

“Since opening a second office in Bristol in January 2016, we’re excited to be expanding our charitable efforts in the South West alongside the business.”

Director Jez Ashberry added: “We received lots of strong applications from charities which made the decision even harder. The team is delighted to now be working with two equally worthwhile local causes that do excellent work in the communities they support.”

For more information about the Children’s Bereavement Centre visit: http://www.childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk

For more information about the Marmalade Trust visit: marmaladetrust.org

Ends

Notes to editors:

About Shooting Star
• Shooting Star was founded in 2006 by Kate Strawson and Jez Ashberry and became incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 2007.
• Based in Lincoln and Bristol, Shooting Star works for local and national public and private sector clients across a wide range of sectors including education, leisure and tourism, property, retail, finance, manufacturing and construction.
• Previous charities which Shooting Star has supported include: Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, STRUT, Lincoln Women’s Aid, Candles, The Ally Cadence Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, The Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours To Cancer!’ Foundation, and Lincolnshire YMCA.

Children’s Bereavement Centre
• The Children’s Bereavement Centre is a registered charity that provides pre-bereavement, bereavement and loss support to hundreds of children and young people aged three to 18. All the children and young people who receive support have experienced trauma due to terminal illness, death or the divorce or separation.
• The charity’s services are available to anyone living in Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire.
• Between 2015 and 2016 the Children’s Bereavement Centre supported more than 600 children, young people and their families.
• The charity aims to ensure that children, young people and their families receive timely support so they can remain healthy and in education and go on to reach their full potential.
• Its free support services include one-to-one children’s support, play therapy, filial therapy and peer groups as well as counselling and support for parents and carers.
• Full address: Children’s Bereavement Centre, 3 Kings Road, Newark, Notts NG24 1EW
• For more information visit: www.childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk

Marmalade Trust
• Marmalade Trust works closely with local health professionals, public sector organisations, charities and community groups to support lonely and isolated people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
• In 2013, Amy Perrin, a qualified occupational therapist, found out that three older people she volunteered with were going to be on their own on Christmas day so she offered to take them out for lunch. Word spread and three became 18. The Marmalade Trust was born.
• In 2014, Marmalade Trust welcomed 40 guests at Christmas. In 2015 the figure grew to 60 guests across three different Bristol locations and in 2016 there were no less than 90 guests across five locations.
• By catching those who are alone at Christmas, Marmalade Trust identifies those who are most isolated and vulnerable to loneliness. The charity then pairs them up with a buddy who will help re-socialise them by providing information and support.
• For more information visit: marmaladetrust.org

For media information, please contact:
Zoe Lamb
zoe@weareshootingstar.co.uk
Shooting Star
01522 528540
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