Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2024, Acquisition International | 13 Best Children’s Bereavement Support Charity 2024 - North West England eam Evie was created in the name of Evie Johnson, an inspiring little girl who sadly passed in 2015 at only 6 months ago. Evie spent the majority of her life in hospital, having been diagnosed with multiple, complex cardiac, respiratory, and digestive problems. Despite 14 operations and the best possible care, Evie sadly passed on Sunday 27th September in the arms of her loving parents. Throughout Evie’s life, Greg kept family and friends updated on her progress through Facebook and as a result, Evie amassed a large following of well-wishers. Evie’s influence spread around the world with many people sending love, hope, and support. Based on the greeting that a consultant gave the family each morning, Team Evie was born. Greg and Jill created Team Evie to help sick children and families who face similar challenges to those that their family endured during Evie’s short life. The charity’s support begins from diagnosis in pregnancy and continues through birth, time in hospital, caring for sick children at home, and bereavement support. Greg Johnston shares, “We provide many donations and develop and deliver projects alongside medical professionals from 20 different wards and teams across our region. These projects save children’s lives, make time in hospital easier for families, and reduce anxiety for all the family. We also support the work of the medical professional by purchasing medical equipment and delivering crucial training to help improve practice.” Since its inception, Team Evie has raised over a half a million pounds which the charity has used to help buy physiotherapy equipment, sensory equipment, respite retreats for bereaved families, comfort items, portable libraries, and much more. Team Evie is involved in many regional and national bodies to help improve the level of support for families and continues to campaign for improved care for bereaved families. With its Peer Support service, Team Evie provides one-on-one support to parents who experience the death of a child, time in hospital, difficult pregnancies, and more. This rewarding service links parents with trained Peer Supporters, who have had similar experiences, providing with assistance that goes beyond the duties of medical professionals. Over the years, Team Evie has built strong relationships with hospitals and medical teams, which has been key to the charity’s success. Greg and Jill have helped countless sick children and families across Cumbria, which would not have been possible without the knowledge and experience of those on the front line. Direction from medical teams and professionals has enabled the charity to spend its funds wisely and have the greatest impact on those in need. Greg Johnston says, “As the work we do is in Evie’s name, we are always driven by her inspiration to do our best and help as many people as we can. When Evie was in hospital our motto was ‘Always Moving Forwards’ as every day we ensured she made progress. This is now the charity’s motto, and we live by it each day, aiming to improve what we do, and how we support families in need. It has helped us to make huge progress in the first nine years we have been in operation!” Over 2024, it is Team Evie’s mission to fully establish and grow its Peer Support service, which has been a rewarding challenge for the team. Looking to the future, the charity is passionate about creating its own Respite Retreat, which will be a multi-purpose space and cottage for bereaved families to use in the aftermath of a child’s death. The multipurpose space will be ideal for Peer Support groups, one-to-ones, Special Baby Groups, and more. At Team Evie, Greg, Jill, and their army of volunteers strive to support families throughout their journey from the moment a child becomes ill to bringing them home. For parents whose child sadly passes away, Team Evie offers a range of bereavement support services in memory of Evie, an incredible little girl who was with us too short a time. For its invaluable charitable work, Team Evie has received this year’s award for Best Children’s Bereavement Support Charity - North West England. Company: Team Evie Email Address: [email protected] Web Address: www.teamevie.org In memory of their daughter Evie, Greg and Jill Johnston founded Team Evie in 2017 to provide sick children and their families with life-changing support. With the ongoing support of individuals and businesses, the charity is currently supporting 20 different wards and medical teams in North East England and Cumbria. Team Evie has raised over £750,000 so far and is passionate about helping as many children and families as possible through fundraising, donations, and engaging charity events. T
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