Clifton Down Shopping Centre raises over £1,860 for Charity of the Year Jessie May

Clifton Down Shopping Centre has raised over £1,860 for their charity of the year, children’s hospice at home Jessie May, just 6 months into the partnership.

The shopping centre announced Bristol-based Jessie May as their nominated charity in June last year (2018), and has since hosted various events to boost funds for the charity, including a special partnership launch in August and hosting a Jessie May stand during Freshers’ Week in September.  

Clifton Down Shopping Centre helped raise funds by inviting choirs and bands to perform in the centre throughout the festive period. They also gave Jessie May volunteers a base to offer a Christmas gift-wrapping service in the run up to Christmas.  

Jessie May has received £1,860.76 to date through the partnership and Clifton Down Shopping Centre Manager Charlotte Jarrett aims to boost funds further by taking on a charity London to Paris bike ride in September.  

Charlotte said: “We are thrilled to have raised more than £1,860 for Jessie May so far, and look forward to continue working with the charity in 2019.  

“I am thankful for having a healthy family, a good job and opportunities many don’t. Supporting a charity like Jessie May, hearing the families’ stories and seeing the great work the nurses do, makes you appreciate all these things even more so.? And because I have all of the above, I’m in a great place to actually help make a difference.  

“I worked with Jessie May a few years ago, funnily enough another bike challenge! At the time one of my colleagues was benefitting from the great care Jessie May Nurses provide - actually they still are. Seeing and hearing the great support this one family out of so many they care for receives, really spurs you on. 311 miles is actually nothing in comparison to what Jessie May families experience. 

“I’ve pledged to raise a minimum of £1,600 but I know with some great support behind me, we can raise so much more than this total! If you can make a donation, please do visit my Virgin Money Giving fundraising page at: https://bit.ly/2UgQRDA.” 

Lindsey Horton, Corporate Partnerships Officer at Jessie May, said: “It’s been a real pleasure working with the fantastic team at Clifton Down Shopping Centre over the past few months. The astounding £1,860.76 raised so far will make a huge difference to our charity, and as a result, the families our nurses are supporting.  

“It was incredibly fun – and busy! – in the run up to Christmas in particular, as local choirs and Jessie May volunteers all came together with Clifton Down Shopping Centre to support our charity. We’d like to express our thanks to everyone at the shopping centre for making this possible, and all the volunteers and performers who gave up their time for us too.  

“We’re amazed at Charlotte’s personal fundraising efforts too – as she trains to cycle over 300 miles from capital to capital for Jessie May in September! We wish her all the best and look forward to hearing all about the cycling challenge in a few months’ time. If you can make a donation via her fundraising page in the meantime, please do at: https://bit.ly/2UgQRDA.”