What if I told you that around 48,000 children flee domestic violence and enter into refuges each year?
48,000.
That’s no small number, that’s over 130 children a day.
Over 923 a week.
Heart-breaking isn’t it? Parents, babies and children finding themselves in new surroundings, often with very little, or perhaps nothing at all to call their own.
But what if I were to tell you that over the last 5 years, The Buddy Bag Foundation has:
Packed an incredible 30,000 Buddy Bags.
Hosted 165 Buddy Bag Brigades
Engaged with over 4000 volunteers and raised more than £750,000?
Happier numbers I’m sure you’ll agree.
As we celebrate our 5th anniversary here at The Buddy Bag Foundation, the sense of pride we have is overwhelming.
We aimed to reach the goal of 20,200 bags packed by 2020. We’ve packed almost 10,000 more than that, in a year that has challenged us all like never before. Not only has Covid-19 curtailed movement, prevented us all from coming together as one to help those who are most at risk, but cruelly, the numbers of domestic abuse cases have risen during lockdown and domestic refuges are busier than ever.
Collectively, as a group of volunteers and knowing that together we can help children desperately in need, we have managed to smash our original target for 2020. The stream of testimonials from both parents and children who have received our bags of love consistently confirm that we really are helping those in need in their darkest hour.
“Thank you! You make us feel really special!”
“Thank you, these little things make such a difference to children and makes us mums feel better knowing our children are getting something to help ease their transition.”
Over the last 5 years, not only have we been busy making a huge difference, we’ve received several incredible accolades, proving that even in the toughest of times, the work we do is not only much needed but much appreciated.
– The Girl Guide badge, which raised over £6000, allowed Guides the opportunity to “Live, Laugh and Love” by discovering new skills, raising funds for Buddy Bags and having fun along the way.
– The Points of Light award, presented by Prime Minister Teresa May, a highly coveted award, celebrating people making a change in their community by volunteering.
– The thousands of knitted toys donated to us by our incredible volunteers, an integral part of our Buddy Bags.
– Our founder, Karen Williams becoming a Woman of The Year Finalist for her work in creating The Buddy Bag Foundation and turning it into the huge success it is today.
In Karen’s own words;
“What an amazing journey we have found ourselves on during the last 5 years.
A dream of making a difference to children in emergency care by supplying our bags of love has totally exceeded my wildest dreams!
With the support of our Trustees, Ambassadors and Volunteers we achieved the remarkable as highlighted above in the milestones we have attained in 2020.
Thank you one and all and here’s to 2021!”
