Glasgow has always been a city with a big heart. As the
Co-Founder and Chair of charity It's Good 2 Give, I see that in the
amazing support that the city and its business community have
offered our organisation since its founding over a decade ago.
It's Good 2 Give is committed to the goal of supporting young
cancer patient and their families across Scotland with both
practical and emotional support for physical and mental
wellbeing.
Cancer is a disease which touches everyone's life either
directly, or through friends or family members. It's a particularly
cruel diagnosis for the youngest patients, with one child or young
person diagnosed with cancer on average once a day in Scotland.
It's Good 2 Give works in partnership with hospitals and patient
organisations across the country to provide the assistance that
young patients and their families need. We couldn't deliver on that
without the support of businesses and communities in Glasgow and
beyond.
Like many third-sector organisations, 2021 has been a difficult
year for It's Good 2 Give. Community and business fundraising has
been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic. Despite this, we've
managed to deliver on some remarkable ambitions this year.
We have maintained provision of our parent packs, providing
valuable practical support alongside pampering items to assist
families during unexpected stays in hospital. It's Good 2 Give also
provides treats, snacks, and fulfils ad hoc requests for patients
to make a difficult stay just that little bit smoother. In 2021 we
also supplied bald dolls, colouring books and gifts to Glasgow
Children's Hospital and Edinburgh Children's Hospital valued at
over £4,000.
It's Good 2 Give also offers direct support to wards treating
young cancer patients in Scotland. Over the last year we provided
essential vein finder equipment valued at over £15,000 to Glasgow
Children's Hospital and Edinburgh Children's Hospital. We also
gifted medical training equipment to both hospitals to support
service provision in 2020-21.
Practical support is a pillar of what we do, but I also know
from my own experiences working closely with families that
emotional support is vital during this incredibly challenging
period.
In 2017, we achieved one of our greatest dreams with the launch
of our Ripple Retreat in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National
Park. This incredible location provides free, week-long escapes for
patients, their families and recently bereaved families. It is a
moment of calm in an otherwise frantic period of worry.
At It's Good 2 Give we want our commitment to mental health to
go beyond these weekly escapes however. In 2021 we launched two
dedicated, full-time mental health professionals for NHS Lothian.
Thanks to the efforts of our supporters and fundraisers, we also
successfully raised funds in 2021 to extend this provision to NHS
Glasgow, with two full-time mental health professionals to join the
teams in 2022.
The truth is we rely on the businesses those of you reading this
article manage or work for to achieve these goals. The efforts of
our existing partners have been truly invaluable in supporting
these young cancer patients. I thank you from the bottom of my
heart for all that you do. I see the impact it makes, and it is
nothing short of wonderful.
We are always on the look out for new partners, business
participation, donations and support to continue our vital work.
Your help could truly make a difference to young cancer patients
and their families at an incredibly difficult time.
Whether it's a unique opportunity to fundraise, experiences or
prizes offered up for events, or nominating It's Good 2 Give as
your charity of the year, your efforts matter.
We're always open to new funding ideas and partnerships, so
please do get in touch if you have fresh or exciting ways to
support It's Good 2 Give.
Thank you, and wishing everyone a positive 2022 ahead,
Lynne McNicoll OBE MIOCF
CHAIR AND CO-FOUNDER, IT'S GOOD 2 GIVE
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