Santa came to the parties at the Honeylands Centre

Father Christmas made visits to see the children at the Honeylands Centre over the past few days. Santa gave the children each a present and on the last day they gave him carrots for his reindeer and a mince pie for himself. These special children had a lovely time and enjoyed their  parties and as Santa was leaving the staff gave him a present also which he was to open and enjoy after he had delivered all his presents on Christmas Eve.

 

Thank you children and all the staff and I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Happy Christmas everyone

from

Father Christmas and his reindeer at Honeylands

 



Father Christmas visits Honeylands and meets Las Iguanas Staff

Yesterday members of staff from the new Las Iguanas restaurant in Exeter visited Honeylands Specialist Child Assessment Centre and donated all these lovely toys to the centre for use by the children. What a super gesture and fund raising effort by all concerned. Their arrival just happened to coincide with a visit by Father Christmas who popped to say ho ho ho and meet the children at their Christmas party.

 

Thank you Las Iguanas and The Entertainer who supplied the toys to Santa for your kind and special toy donation.

XFactor 2013, Luke & Louis Supporting Honeylands Childrens Charity

Phew, what a fantastic night for everyone, especially for the children from Honeylands meeting Luke Friend and Louis Walsh. They were great, spent loads of time with them, photos, autographs and chatting.

 

On a very cold night the crowd who came to see Luke and Louis on the red carpet also supported Honeylands Children's Charity by donating money. Thank you everyone, you were superb.

 

Vote Luke, Vote Luke, Vote Luke on Saturday 14th Dec 2013

 

Thanks everyone, children, crowd, helpers, supporters, Event Exeter, Exeter University.

You all made it a night to remember.

Investec Exeter

Yesterday, 10th December 2013, we were visited by two members of staff from the Exeter office of the Investec Wealth and Investment company. The staff of the company had chosen our charity to donate to us the sum of £1000 from their charitable giving fund.
During the visit a tour of the centre was taken to show the facilities available and the work of the staff.

This donation will go towards providing additional facilities to the centre from the charity and also enhance those already being provided. A really big thank you to all at Investec in Exeter for your kind consideration.

 

From all the charity members, supporters and staff at Honeylands to all staff at Investec a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Devonshire Freemasons Donation

Honeylands Childrens Charity received a cheque from the Devonshire Freemasons this week in the sum of £750. A fantastic gesture of support for the work of Honeylands its staff and the charity

. Please read below about the charitable work freemasons do across Devon each year. The photograph shows our treasurer Sarah receiving the cheque.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR THIS KIND DONATION

 

 

Honeylands Children’s Centre Friends helped by Freemasons

 

As part of an annual programme of charitable giving Devonshire Freemasons have again distributed over £20,000 to 21 local charities and worthy causes. The donations were presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury, at the Masonic Hall, Teignmouth to representatives from each of the Charities. One of the Charities benefitting was Honeylands Children’s Charity who received £750 to assist them in running their specialist child assessment centre for children with complex special needs.

 

The donations come from the William Alexander Kneel Endowment (WAKE) Fund which is currently worth approximately £1.5M. It is a charitable fund which has been accumulated by legacies and donations from Devonshire Freemasons and their families. Each year approximately £40,000 is distributed amongst local charities and organisations in Devon. The programme commenced in 2001 and since that date over £420,000 has been donated to nearly 400 beneficiaries.

Whilst the individual sums may seem modest each donation is meaningful and appreciated by the charity or local organisation concerned. The Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury commented “I am delighted that the Freemasons in Devon are able to contribute to local causes. Many of these organisations are run on a shoestring by volunteers and these donations provide real benefit and are much appreciated”.

Most of the recipient organisations have been nominated by a local Masonic Lodge, usually where a member has a connection with the organisation.

The attached photo shows Sarah Thomas receiving the cheque from Ian Kingsbury.

For more information about Honeylands email honeylandscc@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Sainsbury's Cheque Presentation

Sainsbury's Pinhoe Road Store in Exeter, one of our main charity supporters this year has today presented us with a cheque for £1216, together with a shopping trolley full of toys donated by their customers. The cheque total included an amount donated by Guide Dogs for the Blind who also support Sainsbury's charity of the year. The money was raised by the staff of Sainsbury's through various events over the past few months including a book sale, face painting and also by supportive customer donations.

The money raised will provide on-going support and learning therapies for the special children who attend Honeylands and for them it will make a huge difference to their lives.

The Charity Trustees and staff of Honeylands wish to thank all those that helped to raise this superb amount of money, through donation and purchase of books, donations at the tills and giving of the toys, together with all the other ways you have contributed and supported both the Honeylands Charity and Honeylands Centre.

The photo shows from left to right, Julia this years Sainsbury Charity Ambassador, Christophe, the duty manager, Binny, a Honeylands supporter and helper, Sarah, charity Trustee and our Treasurer and Jo one of the super Honeylands nursery nurses.

A great result and to all - Thank You

Virgin Care Cheque Presentation

This morning on behalf of Honeylands Children's Charity I was invited to Honeylands Specialist Child Assessment Centre in Exeter for a cheque presentation.

In the summer a couple of mums and a member of staff took part in a triathlon to raise funds for Honeylands Children's Charity. The charity provides services including Music Therapy and a Toy Library for the children who attend the centre and who have special needs including life limiting conditions, autism and development needs.

Shortly after completing the triathlon Honeylands was very fortunate to receive an "out of the blue" visit by Sir Richard Branson when he was visiting the South West. He was impressed with the services provided at Honeylands, by the charity, the facilities available and staff's professionalism. On hearing about the triathlon event and the enthusiasm of the participants  Sir Richard offered to match fund the monies raised by these wonderful people for our Charity.

Today we were visited by Virgin Care staff at the centre and received his cheque for £4944.00.

What a fantastic result, unbelievable achievement by the mum's and staff and a super gesture by Sir Richard Branson and his team.

A big thank you to all who took part, who helped, who donated and to Sir Richard for his contribution.

Honeylands CC looking to the future

We want 2014 to be an even better year for Honeylands CC (HCC) but that can only be achieved with support and commitment from people like yourself. HCC needs to increase its income to provide even more support to the children and families who attend Honeylands Specialist Child Assessment Centre but to do that we require your help as a supporter, trustee or committee member.
So what are we looking for?

Well IMMEDIATELY we require:
(1) a secretary to take and produce meeting minutes, deal with general administration and assist with funding applications. That person may if they wish also be a Trustee.

We also would like to get on board additional Trustees/Supporters who have:
(2) a fund raising background or
(3) have had a career in business/management or
(4) would like to organise a small sub-group or
(4) who just want to be a supporter of Honeylands, their events and help when available

None of the roles are onerous or need be time consuming but they are fulfilling and providing a major benefit for the children and families. Without support in whatever form from people like you these children may miss out on a provision that is vital to their fulfilment and allowing them to reach their full potential.

Sainsbury's Pinhoe Road branch are holding a second hand book sale to raise money for Honeylands on Friday 15th November 2013 why not pop along before and donate your read books or visit on 15th, do your shopping, have a chat with Keith (am) and Wendy (4.30 pm - 6.30 pm) about volunteering or contact Les on honeylandscc@gmail.com or Sarah on info@honeylands.org.uk  we would really like to hear from you.

Sorry you are leaving but could you take her place?

Just come back from a lovely "leaving do" for Elaine, one of the physio's at Honeylands. Sh is off to live in St Lucia (lucky lady). Elaine has raised a lot for money for Honeylands and since April with one of the children's mums has raised in excess of £6K by doing a triathlon. Special ladies.
Have you thought how you may be able to help the Honeylands charity. We need to raise funds for music therapy, toy library and other equipment. You may have marketing, fundraising, admin or business skills at senior level and could join the Board of Trustees. If you would like to help why not have a look at our previous blogs and our website www.honeylands.org.uk or email Les, the chair on honeylandscc.gmail.com. He would like to hear from you. These children need your support.
Good luck Elaine, safe travelling and come back to see us soon.

There is a great new restaurant opening soon in Exeter @lasiguanas on Queen Street. They have chosen @honeylandscc as there Christmas Charity. For every 10+ customers they will donate a sum of money which is matched by @entertainertoys. Honeylands then get toys to the value of the amount collected. Why not have your special Christmas meal at Las Iguanas and in doing so boost the toy library at Honeylands.
@lasiguanasexeter are now looking to build their team tomorrow at the Thistle Hotel in Exeter, why not pop along if you are looking for employment. You may have the skills they need.
Also @honeylandscc are always looking for supporters and people to raise funds for this fantastic charity and special centre. The children (0-5 years) who attend have very complex needs including autism, life limiting conditions and physical needs.
Contact us if you are able to help either as a supporter, fund raiser or with special skills as a trustee.
Good luck tomorrow Las Iguanas

Thanks everyone and keep watching the blog but importantly book a meal at Las Iguanas Exeter.

New Icon/Logo & Support

@honeylandscc Children's Charity has changed its bumblebee icon. We hope you like it.

The charity is working closely this year with @paritor in Exeter, @sainsburypr Pinhoe Road Store and @lasiguanas new restaurant in Exeter who over Christmas will be supporting with donations.

Clare at Paritor designed the new logo for us (great isn't it) and we want to get this logo well known amongst the people and businesses of Exeter and hopefully engender even more support. All the support we get goes to help the children who attend Honeylands and who have complex special needs. We provide equipment, Music Therapy and have a toy library with special toys for the children.

Why not take a look at our website www.honeylands.org.uk 

If you want to help by raising funds, be a volunteer in the library or wish to join our general committee please contact us (see below). If you have special skills and would like to become a Trustee please get in touch.

Contact:

@leschristiansen chair or by emailing info@honeylands.org.uk. 

Visit to Honeylands Centre

We had a very special visitor to Honeylands recently. Richard Branson came to see the children, parents and staff and the work of Honeylands. He came with a colleague without formal appointment, popped in and spent time talking to the parents and staff. He went away very impressed. If you would like to support the work of Honeylands, fundraiser, help or support in some way these special children then please email us at honeylandscc@gmail.com

We are Paritors' Charity of the year. This is an exciting time for us as we are with a firm who are genuinely interested in what we are doing.  Not only are they helping us by raising money but also by giving us valuable assistance to set up and manage our Social Media.  Brilliant, thanks.

Sainsburys Pinhoe Road

In June this year, Honeylands Children's Charity was chosen as 'Charity of the Year' by the Sainsburys store on Pinhoe Road, Exeter. We were thrilled to be chosen! There is now a display in the store that has been made by some of the children that use Honeylands. Sainsburys have a number of fundraising events planned, including a car boot sale - watch this space!