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 In this fourth programme of this brand new six-part series from Community Channel and the BBC, we take a closer look at the individuals and organisations dedicating their time and efforts to good causes across the country. Sarah Falkland introduces the stories and personalities behind the nation’s countless charities in this fascinating new series. Don’t miss your opportunity to watch ‘Charity Champions’ right here on your Community Channel.
Last year Welsh Rugby international Brent Cockbain and his wife Kate tragically lost their son Toby to a brain tumour. To honour his memory Brent’s team mates from the national squad decided to organise a fundraising dinner for an organisation that supported the family throughout their son’s illness, the children’s cancer charity LATCH. The organisation offers financial, emotional and residential care for families of children suffering from various forms of cancer, and the much-needed funds will help them to continue their vital work. Rebecca Dimyan, from BBC Wales Today, reports.
Another family that has benefitted from the support given by LATCH, are the Hodges whose son Ashley was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of four. The help they received during his three years of treatment came as a lifeline to the young family, as Sharon Hodges explains: "It was like the end of the world... like nothing else mattered. Then LATCH came along and the social workers talked things through with you and explained where you stood."
 How often do you get the chance to play with your children? Well according to a new survey undertaken in the north of England, 76% of parents say they play with their children everyday but more than 70% of children surveyed believe their parents rarely or never play with them at all. So why is there such a huge discrepancy between the findings from each group? Dad of two, Keith Akehurst, from BBC Look North in Newcastle, went to investigate.
Melanie Griffiths, a Play Development worker, believes it’s a consequence of how differently children and adults perceive ‘play’. She explains, "A child’s perception of play is very different to an adults perception of play. Therefore whilst parents think they are playing with their children they might be providing the things for the children to play with and being there in the background, but they’re not actually getting down there and interacting and playing." RAFT is a specialist charity helping families, specifically those living in rural areas within the Tynedale area, to gain access to play facilities that can be used by parents and children together. They arrange transportation for families to visit the facilities and encourage parents to take an active role in the play of their children. Unfortunately the charity has now had to close after it could not secure funding.
Other stories featured in this programme include: the country’s first specialist ward for children with spinal problems; volunteers recording talking newspapers for the visually impaired; specialist dogs used to sniff out undiagnosed cancer; and we catch-up with the policemen taking a consignment of wedding dresses to orphanages in Russia.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 March 2006 )
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