How you can help local children thrive

This week, Rachel, our impact and development officer, explains why we exist and the work we do

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HI, Sunshine News readers, Part of my role is telling the story of what our charity achieves and the impact it has.

To do this, I use numbers and data, and blend those with the real-life experiences of our Sunshine Families. These stories are crucial to our fundraising, enabling us to support more families. The other part of my role is to develop opportunities and projects for the benefit of our families.

Nearly 100 years ago, King George V came to the opening ceremony of the Tyne Bridge. While visiting the city, he was deeply moved by the challenges many of the children were facing and donated £15 (£800 in today's money) for the benefit of these local children. Specifically, his instructions were that children from the inner city were taken to the coast for the day.

The editor of what is now The Chronicle was inspired to continue this charitable mission and, although times have changed and £15 doesn't quite get you as far as it did, the charity still holds true to its original purpose of supporting children facing challenges.