Jelson Homes’ Christmas appeal, launched last week, is in support of Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. Together with our friends at Leicester Riders, we’re raising money to support the valuable work of the hospice. Donations can be made at our Leicestershire sales offices, Jelson HQ and at the Morningside Arena, Leicester.

“Fundraising is incredibly important to the work of the hospice,” said Kate Golding, Rainbows’ head of organisational giving. “It’s true to say we simply couldn’t survive without donations from the public and local businesses, so we’re delighted that Jelson has chosen to support us for its Christmas appeal.”

The annual cost of running Rainbows currently stands at over £6 million. Only around 13% of this amount is raised from statutory bodies – only enough to keep the hospice running for between six and seven weeks.

“The biggest expense is our specialist and dedicated staff,” says Kate. “They provide round-the-clock care to life-limited children, young people and their families, so it’s no surprise that employing the right people accounts for the largest part of our running costs. It represents the salaries of the care team within the hospice and the team of staff providing additional support throughout the hospice and the community, along with our supporter relations team.”

It’s important to note that the children, young people and families who use Rainbows do not have to pay for anything. All costs are covered by donations received.

What will your donation cover?

We’re asking people visiting our Leicestershire developments, headquarters and the Leicester Riders’ Morningside arena to dig deep and give what they can afford to support the work of Rainbows.

Here’s how your donation could be spent:

- £5 funds arts and crafts materials for one day

- £10 funds the cost of one training nurse associate for one hour

- £20 funds a session of play

- £50 funds a music therapy session

- £100 funds two days of medical consumables

- £300 funds housekeeping costs for one day