Molly Olly’s Wishes 3 | Chalmers News PR

Dog trainer takes the lead to help Christmas toys campaign

Posted on November 24, 2020 by admin

A DOG trainer in Warwick has taken the fundraising lead to help bring some festive spirit to hospitalised children this Christmas – despite the pandemic.

Andy O’Brien, who runs The K9 Club, has joined forces with Molly Olly’s Wishes – even pledging to dye his hair pink – the colour of the charity – if they hit the £2,000 target.

Molly Olly's Wishes, K9 Club, Any O'Brien, Rachel Ollerenshaw, Molly Ollerenshaw, toys — Andy O’Brien of The K9 Club

Andy said: “We want to give children the best Christmas ever after this crazy year. We are trying to raise as much as we can to buy toys and wrap them up for the children stuck in hospitals over Christmas.

“We know times are hard at the moment and any amount will help to make a child’s Christmas that little bit better. Our Hatton Park neighbours, Molly Olly’s Wishes, do an amazing job and we are so happy to be teaming up with them.”

The charity was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

It works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as grant wishes and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Molly Olly’s mascot is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Part of more than £2.5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first Molly Olly consultant in paediatric medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Molly Olly’s are so lucky to be surrounded by a great community and Andy and his team are very much a part of that.

“Molly Olly’s were approached by our local community nursing team to see if we could help organise gifts for seriously ill children as the normal Christmas party run by the nurses is unable to go ahead this year. The charity is putting together gift boxes which Andy heard about and wanted to help by contributing toys.

“A variety of items will be put together to make a special gift box and delivered to families in December. Big thanks to Andy and all those that have supported him to help us bring some smiles in these challenging times.”

Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw with the familiar Molly Olly’s pink van.

She added: “Thanks to the following companies for their support – Kilby Packaging, West Mercia, Bayliss and Harding, SCC, K9, New Horizon Logistics and to all the Molly Olly Volunteers for helping to wrap and deliver all the gifts.”

The gifts will be delivered to families by community nurses mid-December. To donate to the crowdfunding page visit: Crowdfunding to to buy Christmas presents for children with Molly Olly’s Wishes on JustGiving

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk

Molly Olly’s Wishes need the support of companies and individuals to enable us to help more children. We welcome the opportunity to provide more information about our work. Please help us to make those dark days brighter. For details contact Rachel on 07747 854914.

Fundraisers have high hopes that Virtual Balloon Race takes off for local charities

Posted on November 23, 2020November 25, 2020 by admin

TWO Midlands rotary clubs are hoping to give fundraising a lift after lockdown when their joint initiative takes off for local charities.

Members of Knowle & Dorridge and Redditch Kingfisher Clubs are inviting people to compete in a Virtual Balloon Race in which a host of prizes are up for grabs, including £500 for the winner.

For £3 per ticket, competitors can design their own balloon to get it race-ready for 12pm on Christmas Day before then tracking it on its seven-day journey from Santa’s Village in Lapland.

The proceeds will be divided equally between Molly Olly’s Wishes in Warwick and the Public Access Defibrillator Project, working with the Community Heartbeat Trust to fund more community defibrillators and CPR training in Redditch.

Colin Winstone, President of Rotary Club in Knowle and Dorridge added: “It’s vital we continue to raise money for our charities – and the virtual balloon race means that we can reach out far and wide to help us raise money. It’s all online, but it’s lots of fun, it’s totally environmentally friendly and it appeals to adults and kids alike – we’re really hoping people will enter into the Christmas spirit and help us raise money for such worthwhile causes. It’s our first go at this, but we hope it will be real success.”

Molly Olly’s Wishes was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

Molly Olly’s Wishes, based in Warwick, works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as grant wishes and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Part of more than £2.5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first Molly Olly consultant in paediatric medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found at: www.mollyolly.co.uk

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Molly Olly’s, like so many other charities have found the period since March very tough as many of our key events have been cancelled and we have seen a reduction in donations as a result. This is at a time when we have also seen an increase in demand for our services.

“In October we had a 30% increase in requests for wishes and we distributed over 800 Olly’s and books to hospitals and individuals. “The virtual balloon race is a really simple and fun, low cost idea that anyone can take part in . Maybe people could give instead of Christmas cards or perhaps it could be a stocking filler, or just fun for the family on Christmas Day to take part in.

“We are extremely grateful to Knowle & Dorridge and Redditch Kingfisher Rotary Clubs for their support in organising.”

Redditch Kingfisher Rotary have got behind the cause to expand the number of Public Access Defibrillators in Redditch to ensure that life-saving equipment gets into as many local community spaces as possible. There are 3,400 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the West Midlands, from which only 1 in 8 people survive.

Further information is available by visiting: www.communityheartbeat.org.uk

Martin Fagan, National Secretary of The Community Heartbeat Trust, said: “It’s been great to work with Redditch Kingfisher on their ambition to get a Public Access Defibrillator into all parts of Redditch. We bring expertise on installations and ongoing management of defibrillators, and they bring vital fundraising and community engagement and awareness. It’s a partnership that we look forward to developing further to benefit the Redditch community.”

Honor Keatley, President of Redditch Kingfisher Rotary said: “This year has been incredibly difficult for everyone, and Rotary Clubs have found that our usual ways of getting out in to the community, volunteering, and running fundraising activities have simply had to stop because of the pandemic.

“The problems and the causes are still there though, so now we are thinking about how we can do things differently.”

To take part in the Virtual Balloon Race visit: www.tinyurl.com/ChristmasBalloon

Mums keep the candle burning for Halloween fundraising

Posted on October 26, 2020 by admin

A Warwick community renowned for its flamboyant annual Halloween celebrations is keeping the tradition alive despite the pandemic.

Innovative parents Charlotte Fawbert and Lucy Field were determined to salvage the spooky fun which draws hundreds of children on Hatton Park – by this year turning it into a COVID-safe pumpkin trail.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Hatton Park, Halloween — Evie Field, Charlie and Rosie Fawbert with Olly The Brave. Photo by Dave Fawbert Photography.

Children are being encouraged to download a trail sheet and, between Thursday and Sunday, hunt for 12 Halloween-themed pictures displayed in windows throughout the estate.

Local families are then being invited to donate money they would have otherwise spent on sweets for trick and treaters, to Hatton Park-based charity Molly Olly’s Wishes.

Molly Olly’s was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer, and works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Hatton Park, Halloween, Molly Olly's Wishes — Lucy Field, Charlotte Fawbert and their children Evie, Rosie and Charlie. Photo by Dave Fawbert Photography.

Mum of two, Charlotte said: “Hatton Park has a reputation for creating a fantastic atmosphere at Halloween and I didn’t want the children on the estate to miss out due to COVID restrictions, so Lucy and I came up with some safe and fun ideas that we could still do.

“And when another mum, Emily Burgess suggested we do it in aid of Molly Olly’s Wishes, we thought was a great idea. Our hope is that many people will support this amazing charity while the children are still able to enjoy themselves this Halloween.”

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Halloween on Hatton Park has always been a family time, my children always loved it and often their friends wanted to come to here for Halloween as the residents always seem to do it so well. The fun of dressing up, silly games and trick or treating.

“We have lots of happy family memories. Halloween fell not long after Molly, aged four, had her first major operation to remove her kidney. She had a big scar the width of her stomach, her hair was falling out from the chemotherapy, and despite not feeling great, she wanted to join in and would joke with us about trick or treat, her trick being that she would scare you with her scar!

She added: “So many residents of Hatton Park have been a great support to the charity. It is a shame that it can’t quite be the same for the children this year but the ideas that some of the parents have come up with will mean it is still lots of fun. Olly The Brave will be joining in too so the children will have to see if they can spot him on their trail.”

Trail sheets can be obtained from the Hatton Park Locals Facebook forum or by emailing Lucy Field at: Lucyfield2017@gmail.com

Donations, in lieu of sweets, can be made to Molly Olly’s Wishes at: www.mollyolly.co.uk

Final books in Olly The Brave series released

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by admin

WARWICK-BASED charity Molly Olly’s Wishes has released the final three chapters in its series of therapeutic books for children battling terminal and life-limiting illnesses.

The books follow the final stages of the charity’s mascot lion Olly The Brave in his journey with illness and palliative care as well as exploring emotions around bereavement.

They form part of the Olly the Brave packs, which also contain a toy lion with its own Hickman line and detachable mane and are distributed to hospitals and health professionals across the UK.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Olly The Brave, new books — Rachel Ollerenshaw with the Olly The Brave series of books. Photo by Karen Massey Photography.

The charity was founded by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw following the death of their daughter Molly in 2011. Molly was diagnosed with a rare kind of kidney cancer five years earlier at the age of just three, after becoming ill during a family holiday.

Despite undergoing several operations and extensive treatment, throughout her battle with the illness, Molly got involved with work to help improve the lives of other children with cancer, including narrating an Ardmann Studios short animated film designed as a guide for coping with radiotherapy.

Having gained charity status in 2012, Molly Olly’s has so far helped more than 1,500 children from newborn age to 18 by granting individual wishes.

All the books have been written and illustrated by artist and author Diane Maybey from Warwick, the first three even earning a Highly Commended accolade by the British Medical Association Patient Information Awards.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Olly The Brave, Diane Maybey — The books’ author and illustrator Diane Maybey

Diane trained as a primary school teacher, specialising in children’s literature and the creative arts and worked therapeutically with children for a learning disability charity, as a foster carer and in various teaching and therapeutic roles.

Rachel said: “The books are a fantastic way of opening up lines of communication when you find yourself in this unimaginable world where your child has been diagnosed with a serious illness. They help answer those difficult questions the children may ask and help them to talk about things they don’t know how to vocalise.”

Book 4, Ben’s Big Stuff, is created with brothers and sisters in mind, helping them to talk through their different emotions.

Rachel said: “Siblings can really struggle sometimes when mum or dad can’t give them the same level attention. The child who is ill may be getting lots of gifts and are the main focus. Life for siblings changes too and takes some adjustment and feelings can be supressed and cause anxiety. This book helps explore those feelings and supports emotional well-being.”

Book 5, Nights of Cuddles, tackles the difficult subject of preparing for the death of a child and the help and conversations which are needed.

While the final book in the series, Finding Life After Olly, focuses on coping with the emotions and thought processes around bereavement and seeking the support to find new beginnings.

Rachel said: “These books offer emotional support to children and their families. They look and feel like any children’s story book and explain Olly’s journey very sensitively but openly. The feedback from families and health professionals is incredibly positive and they are very grateful to have them as a resource”

The Charity hope Olly’s journey will soon also be appearing in a new app geared at older children who need similar support.

“The books are geared towards younger aged children but we are looking at doing an Olly The Brave App as the questions that arise in the books apply at any age, they just require a different format for older children and young people,” explained Rachel.

Plans for the app, which have been put on hold due to the pandemic, are now back on track with high hopes of a 2021 launch.

To find out more information about the charity or how to help or donate or apply for a copy of the book, visit: https://www.mollyolly.co.uk

New premises unlocks latest chapter for Warwick children’s charity

Posted on September 28, 2020September 28, 2020 by admin

WHEN Rachel Ollerenshaw collected the keys for an office building in Swan Street, Warwick, it unlocked a whole new chapter for her charity.

The premises, the first dedicated HQ for Molly Olly’s Wishes, has opened its doors just weeks before Rachel’s late daughter – and inspiration behind the charity – would have turned 18.

Molly Olly's Wishes, new premises, Rachel Ollerenshaw — Rachel Ollerenshaw outside the charity’s new premises

Molly died in June 2011 after a five-year battle with a rare kidney cancer. And what followed, in Molly’s memory, has resulted in support for thousands of children around the country with terminal or life-limiting illnesses.

Rachel and husband Tim, from Hatton Park, spent a large part of those five years in and out of hospital and soon realised that many of the patients they met did not benefit from the emotional or financial support that they had received for Molly and her siblings.

Driven by this – and a determination to keep Molly’s legacy alive -Molly Olly’s Wishes was officially born in September 2011.

Having gained its charity status in 2012, the charity has so far raised more than £2.5m and helped more than 15,000 children from new-born to age 18 by granting individual wishes.

Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals and community teams, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Molly Olly’s Wishes has signed an initial two-year lease on the new office space, thanks to the support by Oakland International, which has a site in Redditch. The charity has also been helped with legal advice from Warwick solicitors Moore & Tibbetts.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “It’s a really big moment for the charity to get this space. The focus has always been on keeping costs to a minimum to ensure that, as much money as possible goes to the children we help. As we’ve grown as a charity it’s been harder to work from home and have space for the volunteers, so getting an office has been vital to the long term strategy and vision of the charity.

“Warwick is a hugely significant town for us. It is our local town and where many retailers and people know us and to have a presence in the town is important. Because we have been based at my house and haven’t had a big sign outside a lot of people don’t know we exist, so to get that high street presence will help awareness.”

And Rachel is confident Molly would also approve.

“I think that Molly would like it. For me the space has a heart. Having worked at home for so long and the charity being so personal, having a space that felt that it was professional but wasn’t too corporate was important.

“That’s why I love Warwick and the new office, because it feels personal and friendly and it has that heart to it.”

It comes at a crucial time for the small charity which, like many others, is feeling the impact of COVID-19. It is forecast more than £250,000 in proceeds may be lost to their coffers with fundraising events wiped from the calendar, including the charity’s biggest event of the year, the Molly Olly Ball, in November.

Rachel said: “Fundraising prior to lockdown had been on track and the reserves that the charity had has enabled us to continue our work, but this is not sustainable long term.”

“The past six months has seen donations drop by over 40%, a trend which, if it continues, will see a significant reduction in the number of wishes we can provide to children with life threatening illnesses. The ball alone would have generated around £60,000 for us.

“For the events that we plan now we have to be prepared for things changing very quickly so have to think carefully about how we organise them. We are looking at fundraising that people can do individually where we haven’t got huge outlays such as golf days or cycling events or online raffles.

“What would really help us is if people would sign up to a monthly donation. If the people who usually come to our events and spend £85 on ball tickets, for instance, could maybe commit to spending £5 or more a month and donate regularly, that would make a huge difference to us.”

Lockdown has also added immense emotional and financial pressure on many of the families being supported by Molly Olly’s which, despite diminishing funds, is working hard to continue granting wishes – although the nature of the requests has shifted from days out and experiences to gifts and equipment for bedrooms and gardens.

Rachel said: “But we have also worked with families where both parents have been made redundant a lot of the requests we receive are for necessities. For those struggling financially wishes can be for items such as a bed for sick child or supermarket vouchers to help buy food.”

“The families are scared and anxious and it has put more pressure on them and the health professionals and a lot of the organisations we work with have had to work virtually so we’ve seen big changes in how our families are supported.”

The new premises will help futureproof the work of the Molly Olly’s team as they continue to navigate their way through a climate of huge uncertainty and ever-changing COVID legislation.

Rachel said: “We talked about doing this before the virus was even heard of. It was a worry with what has happened but actually it’s proven to be really important that we had office space which has given us an opportunity and a way forward so we can work safely.

“The team really like it and it’s great for them to have space to work properly rather than being cramped on my kitchen table or squeezed into my office at home. This way they can work more smartly and efficiently,” she said.

“This space makes us more accessible to people who can knock the door and come in and ask us what we do and that’s really important. People were probably afraid to knock on my front door at home.”

As Rachel does her best to plan the unknown road ahead, there is no time to really take stock and celebrate the latest milestone.

“This is a real milestone but it’s a journey we’ve all done together” she said. “If ever you have any moments of doubt, you then receive a phone call and you know why you’re here and it takes you right back to where we were and why it all started. Yes, we’re proud but the key thing is we want to carry on doing it and continue to grow and help as many families as possible.”

Support can be in many forms and more information about the charity’s work and how you can help is available by contacting Rachel Ollerenshaw at: rachel@mollyolly.co.uk or on 01926 698735.

Donations can also be made direct via the website at: https://www.mollyolly.co.uk/learn-about-donating/