Christmas Mobile party and Grotto
Click to helpChristmas (as with each year) we are arranging our mobile grotto Santa visits to the homes of our nominated families who struggle to travel, even to a local grotto, we are bringing Santa his Elves, a mystery special guest mascot and hopefully some magical gifts to them. As a very small charity we do struggle for support but have been asked to visit double the amount of families this year from last, and we are going to do it! #Santadrop24
Welcome to our website
The charity was created by Paul and Kerry Martin after Kerry experienced a life threatening illness following the traumatic birth of their child, Owen, which developed a number of continued health concerns.
Other than the support of their families, they found there were very few opportunities to make contact with other families in similar circumstances.
Having worked with a number of midlands based charities they decided to make arrangements for several family fun days giving opportunities for those affected by illness the chance to enjoy and relax as a family unit.
Additional to fun days and events there are support systems to aid families and foster friendships with others who have been through similar experiences.
Kerry is a qualified teacher and is currently studying to be a family counsellor to help the charity develop further, Paul is a qualified trainer and regularly holds sessions for NHS staff highlighting areas in which practice and procedures can be improved.
The vision for the charity is to increase the number of fun events and activities, to include many more children and parents affected by illness, to expand web page forums to include professional help and advice, and continue to develop improved relationships between external bodies and those who need support.
Smiling Families would like to see smiles on the faces of children and parents who are suffering and improved support for family units.
Over the next two years we plan to support even more families, we have activities planned for a teddy Bears picnic with special Teddy Mascots, and visits to Families unable to go on holiday due to illness, we are going to take a mobile beach, sand, games, mocktail bar and BBQ for a fun staycation memory!
We also hope to offer more supportive services during our weekly meetings with practical visits from Solicitors, medical staff, family portrait photographers, counsellors. Provide first aid training And to keep arranging opportunities for unique fun memory making activities and days out.
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Our aim for this year is to help more families and at the same time to fund raise for our lodge so our families can have that so much needed respite without the worry of paying for the respite, taking doggos and puppas, wheelchairs and medical items etc
Everyday support
Arranging outings, activities and group meeting for families to spend quality time together at a point in their lives where a member of the family are battling severe illness. We try and help bring smiles and love where there is uncertainty and pain, if only for a short time, the memories last forever.
Special events
Christmas is really special to us at Smiling Families, so each year with Santa, his elf and a special guest we visit families who are not well enough to travel to Lapland or a local grotto ,we bring fun, games, and special gifts for each member( even the pets!)
