A huge thanks to the O2 employees for their help in smartening up the KidsOut offices. Here’s a photo of the volunteers who helped complete the mammoth task. 

Shortly, we’ll add East Anglia and Yorkshire as well. In conjunction with the Women's Aid Federation, we have offered the Toy Box service to 250 refuges and soon will increase this number further to 301 refuges. A total of 2759 toy boxes have been sent by KidsOut.

Just £100 buys a box of brand new age and gender specific toys for a child that has been re-housed as a result of domestic violence. Here are a couple of quotes from mother that have received a toy box recently.

“The Toy Boxes helped my children to feel at home again, after losing all their toys from fleeing an abusive home”

“The toy box has put confidence back into my child. She now finds it much easier to play, learn and share. We all played Twister and thoroughly enjoyed the time together”

You can find out more information on the Toy Box service here.

June – The Welsh 3000

The Welsh 3000 will take 24 hours to complete, cover 26 miles and result in Gareth having climbed 26 mountain peaks and North Wales.

July - Walk the River Avon in 48 hours

The river Avon is the 19th longest river in the UK covering 75 miles. Starting in Chipping Sodbury and finishing in Avonmouth. Gareth will walk the entire length in less than 48 hours.

August – Navigate the Chichester canal in an inflatable raft

Gareth will be testing his skills in an inflatable raft as he follows the famous Chichester canal down to the harbour and round to West Wittering beach.

September – Circle the Isle of Wight

Following the costal path Gareth shall walk and raft around the circumference of the Isle of Wight covering a total of 70 miles.

October – The Black Mountains

The Black Mountains challenge will start the winter preparation for the Ben Nevis Challenge. Gareth will be crossing the entire length of the Brecon Beacons covering 98 miles over 1 week. He will do this completely solo and unsupported.

November – Train to train over Snowdon

The train to train race over Snowdon is an orienteering challenge. Gareth will get off the train in Llanberis and with a time limit set and a ticket in hand will leave Beddgelert and complete a route over the summit of Mt Snowdon.

December – Climb Ben Nevis

In early December Gareth will complete a solo accent over Ben Nevis. Standing 4,409 ft. above sea level Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Following gully number 3 with a total distance of 10.5 miles it will take Gareth an estimated 9 hours to complete.

Gareth obviously needs as much support as possible to help capitalise on the success of 777 in 2011. If you have any ideas, or would like to support Gareth in any way, please contact info@kidsout.org.uk.

David Heathfield, professional storyteller and contributor to the World Stories service writes about the importance of storytelling, his background in teaching and how he made the transition from being a full time English teacher to becoming a respected professional storyteller.

In the article David gives advice to teachers who are finding it hard to break into to the world of storytelling, discusses the obstacles that limit the amount of storytelling in class and gives advice on how teachers can become better storytellers. Fundamental to the article is David’s recommendation of the use of World Stories in the classroom. The full article can be read on The Guardian website here.

David was also recently interviewed at a literacy conference in Glasgow, here is a link the video in which David discusses World Stories, also giving an insight into the world of storytelling by performing a well know Chinese folk tale, Li and Gao.

There is huge interest in World Stories and the service is now reaching in excess of 64,000 children in the UK and overseas, 26% of whom have English as an additional language. World Stories is being updated continuously with new and fascinating tales. Please visit the World Stories website here to listen, read and enjoy stories online and, if you have young children, please make sure their school knows all about it.

Over 320 people attended the event which culminated in the most successful silent auction to date raising a staggering £10,000. Prizes for the auction included: A flight in a Tiger Moth, a training session with Rob Edmond from ITV’s Biggest Looser and 6 photography courses at Sotherby’s Institute of Art.

Alongside the usual enjoyment of the evening was the added bonus of a guest appearance from the star of BBC Dead Ringers, Kevin Connelly and the main auction was made extra special with the help of guest auctioneer Charlie Ross from BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic.

It was an undoubtedly enjoyable evening for all who attended but the main purpose of the event was to raise money to fund KidsOut’s highly successful projects. This was seen in all clarity when a mum who received a Toy Box spoke on stage about the success of the scheme. This really brought home to people the special cause they are supporting. 

At KidsOut we would like to say a huge thank you for all who attended and if you are interested in A Question of Sport 2013 tickets will be available for event soon, check www.kidsout.org.uk/london for more information.

Here are some photos from the event:
 

This is the first time the event has ever been held in Leeds and it was a great triumph. 48 tables were sold to individuals or organisations wishing to support such a worthwhile cause while having a fantastic night. The night saw the most successful silent auction in the Charity’s history with prizes including flight in a Tiger Moth, a signed Wayne Rooney shirt or a signed 1966 World Cup Final montage.

KidsOut would like to thank everyone who attended the event for their support. The money raised will directly help disadvantaged and disabled children around the country.

Currently in the design phase the new Phyzzpod model will not only incorporate the best features of the current Phyzzpod, but provide the functionality to transport the technology within the Multimedia Outreach Vans. This new product will combine all the benefits of sensory learning and play, allowing children with limited mobility and illness to take part in multisensory experiences.

Pressure pads, LED lighting rigs, wireless gamepads, floor sensors and even interactive dice are a just few examples of the latest technology which will be used the new Phyzzpod Lite. The plan is to trial this new ‘Phyzzpod Lite’ at a hospital in April when the ‘Jam Van’ from the Cambridge Multimedia Outreach service next visits.

You can find out more here about the KidsOut Phyzzpod and the Multimedia Outreach Vans.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Totternhoe Players they meet at 8pm, every Wednesday at Totternhoe Lower School.

Curtain Call Theatre Group regularly supports KidsOut and has raised funds through a variety of methods over the last year. KidsOut would like to extend their thanks to The Curtain Call Theatre Group for their support. This partnership has allowed the amount of disabled and disadvantaged children KidsOut supports every year to increase even further.

In partnership with the Women’s Aid Federations throughout the UK, the KidsOut Toy Boxes are ordered directly through a secure online area of the Toy Box section of the KidsOut website. Refuges simply state how many boxes are required, provide the delivery address and the box is dispatched, ready for the child when they’re settled in their new home.

From October 2009 to December 2011, DHL has been the distributor for the Toy Boxes, but this changed in January 2012 when FedEx took over as our partners.

A large team gathered at FedEx’s UK Headquarters at Stansted Airport on a cold Saturday in mid-December to pack tens of thousands of toys. KidsOut staff, volunteers and FedEx employees all gave up their spare time to help with this important task. By the end of day, over 1,200 toy boxes were ready for dispatch anywhere over the UK.

Each toy box contains a range of brand new, age and gender specific toys, which are quite often the only items a child has when they are re-housed from the refuge.

KidsOut sends a huge thanks to DHL for their generous support for the last 2 years. Without their dedication and hard work, many thousands of disadvantaged children would not have experienced the surprise and joy of opening their KidsOut Toy Box.

Please visit the Toy Box section of the KidsOut website for more information or email us at Toyboxes@kidsout.org.uk

BBC Outreach will offer opportunities for leadership, mentoring, access to professional expertise and development skills. All of which KidsOut will utilise to develop our five existing national services, The Annual Day Out, Phyzzpod, Toy Box, World Stories and Multimedia Outreach. Access to these opportunities is sure to aid KidsOut in developing further as a national children’s charity.

More details on the scheme and how the partnership is directly the affecting children and young people that KidsOut supports will be added soon.

Gareth Sanders, Assistant Hotel Manager at Bristol Central Travelodge completed seven marathons, in seven cities in seven days - all in aid of KidsOut children’s charity.

Gareth ran 184 miles, starting from Bristol Central Travelodge on 12th December and finishing in Portsmouth on 18th December, visiting Birmingham, Inverness, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Oxford on route.

Aged just 24, Gareth (pictured right) undertook this challenge after being given just an 8% chance of survival in 2008 when he was diagnosed with Secondary Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). After fully recovering Gareth now makes a habit of pushing his body to extremes and regularly raises funds for charity, modelling himself on British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The 777 challenge is just one of the many events that Travelodge employees have organised this year for the Change for Charity fundraising programme, in which KidsOut is one of two nominated charities.

Gareth is aiming to raise £5000 for KidsOut through a variety of different means and is well on the way to achieving this target. You can pledge your support or track Gareth’s progress here - https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/777

KidsOut would like to thank Gareth again for completing such a gruelling fundraising challenge for KidsOut and wish him success in his future charitable events.

You can visit his website at http://www.garethsanders.com/

Merlin’s Magic Wand, the registered charity within Merlin’s Entertainment now provides a family voucher in each of the KidsOut Toy Boxes. The latest Toy Box pack, which saw 1200 Toy Boxes assembled, packaged and organised for distribution will all contain a voucher.

The KidsOut Toy Box Service provides children who have been affected by domestic violence with a box of brand news toys in their new home. These toys are often the only items they child can call their own. With the support of Merlin’s Magic Wand these children will now be able to enjoy a day out at one of many themed attractions all over the UK. 

The epic 184 mile journey will start at Bristol Central Travelodge where Gareth’s   team will also run alongside him through the city to help him kick-start his mammoth challenge.

Gareth will then carry on his marathon run and will be pounding the pavements in the following cities: 

Gareth, aged 24, has undertaken this challenge due to a life changing encounter he experienced in 2008. When he was rushed to hospital out of the blue and told he had an eight per cent change of survival after contracting Ebstein-Barr Virus (EBV), secondary Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), major liver failure and hepatitis.

After spending a month in hospital, Gareth was very fortunate to be given the all clear. To this date, Gareth’s condition is the third recorded case of its kind and he is the only person to have survived such a severe illnesses. Gareth’s survival story has baffled medical science and as a result his case is now printed in medical journals.  

Following this illness, Gareth has made it his mission to celebrate the power of the human body by challenging himself to the most gruelling athletic challenges.

For the 777 challenge he took inspiration from Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ who undertook seven marathons over seven continents in seven days in 2003. 

Gareth said: “Whilst most people will be hitting the high streets Christmas shopping this week, I will be donning my running gear, pounding the pavements and running a marathon a day across seven UK cities.   

It will be my toughest athletic challenge to date but will be so worthwhile knowing the hundreds of disadvantaged children I will be helping in each step I take.

There’s nothing scarier than hearing you have an eight per cent chance of living. Since recovering from my illness I have had an overwhelming desire to take part in extraordinary challenges; where I can push my stamina to the limit and being able to raise money has made it even more appealing.”

The 777 challenge is just one of Travelodge’s sporting events that have taken place this year for the budget chain’s Change for Charity fundraising programme.

David Cosham, KidsOut Chief Executive said:

“Never before has a single person embarked on such a mammoth sporting challenge for KidsOut. I am really grateful to Gareth for attempting such a gruelling physical challenge. Raising £5,000 for our charity will allow us to take an extra 500 disadvantaged children on an amazing day out next year.” 

You can track Gareth’s progress and pledge your support at: 

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/777  

Outgoing Three Locks Golf Club Men’s Captain Phil Baldwin elected to raise funds for KidsOut throughout his year of captaincy. As a result KidsOut has just received a cheque for over £1700.

Over the past 12 months Phil and his team along with the numerous members of the Three Locks Golf Club have worked hard to raise funds for KidsOut. Club competitions, invitational’s, President’s Day and Captain’s Day provided opportunities for the club to raise funds for KidsOut. KidsOut hope that the relationship with the Three Locks Golf Club will continue allowing KidsOut to promote and develop the five national services currently provided.

If you would like to find out more about raising funds for KidsOut or the services that are offered please contact info@kidsout.org.uk directly for more information.

Thanks to Clive Daniels from Leighton Fun Runners for presenting Carol Stewart from KidsOut with a cheque for £4,342.77.

Throughout 2011 Leighton Fun Runners have organised many events in support of KidsOut. Members have taken part in sponsored 10km and 20km races, completed marathons and even run through Leighton Buzzard high street dressed as Santa all in support of KidsOut. The Annual Santa Dash alone raised over £1000 for KidsOut. Thank you to Leighton Fun Runners from everyone at KidsOut and the thousands of disabled and disadvantaged children we help every year. The funds raised by Leighton Fun Runners will help KidsOut develop the five services that are provided to disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.

If you would like to raise funds for KidsOut please contact info@kidsout.org.uk to request some fundraising materials for your event.

A champagne reception was the first on the agenda with background music being provided by Erin Henderson, winner of Edinburgh’s Got Talent 2011. The evening was soon underway with Grant Stott, Radio Presenter and DJ hosting the entertainment. Guests were given the chance to take part in a range of different sports themed games, participate in a fully interactive sports quiz which included rounds such as ‘Mystery Guest’ and ‘What Happened Next?

The final amount raised for KidsOut was £40,000. These funds will be used to develop the five existing KidsOut services, which include Phyzzpod, Toy Box, and World Stories.

If you are interested in the KidsOut Question of Sport events which provide a great opportunity for corporate entertainment and staff recognition you can find out more on the ‘Question of Sport' pages of the KidsOut website.

Knowing that, by the end of the day, a decision we made in the morning will already be making a measurable difference.  That's the real attraction for working in a small organisation like KidsOut.  We are genuinely one team.  We work hard, very hard in fact, to make a lasting difference to the lives of disadvantaged children.

I grew up in a family where spending time on charitable work was the norm.   As a child, I spent many weekends with my father collecting wood for old people's fires.   After years in corporate life, I'm thoroughly enjoying the chance to use my skills and experience in the charity sector and to do something really worthwhile.

There isn't one.  Another advantage of being in a small charity is the variety.  I rarely seem to be in the office these days.   I spend as much of my time as possible meeting corporate and private supporters, working with them to turn their offers into something tangible for the disadvantaged children we're here to help.  I'm spending more time with my mobile phone than ever, making and taking calls to discuss how we're delivering services across the UK.   Evenings are often spent at fundraising events, where I have the chance to speak from the heart on what we do and tell our guests how much difference their support makes.

KidsOut fundraising activities run throughout the year and move from city to city.  We've developed a highly successful format for corporate networking events which provide a great night out as well as an excellent platform for fundraising.  We started this year's campaign in Cardiff in September 2011.  Whether measured by number of guests or funds raised, it exceeded our most ambitious targets and has started the year with a bang.

Last year we increased funds raised at these events by 50% to over £300,000.  This was a fantastic achievement given the economic conditions and we know we are very fortunate to continue to receive such tremendous corporate support. 

In 2011/12, we've set ourselves a more cautious increase to reach £400,000.  Based on the results from our first two events in Cardiff and Manchester, we are off to a great start and I am optimistic we'll reach the target.

We've just completed a major investment in our new website at www.kidsout.org.uk complete with all the popular social media links.  We've done this because we expect an increased proportion of our income to come from online donations.  In the past, KidsOut has relied on manual systems.  However, as we grow the charity I want to minimise costs, so we continually increase the proportion of funds which go directly to help the children.  Automated web-based systems and our partnership with BT are both key elements in enabling us to deliver continual improvements in efficiency.

It's a very challenging market for charities just as it is for any business.  For us, differentiation has always been key.  KidsOut appeals to supporters partly because we're small and efficient, but mainly because no-one else does what we do.  Continual reinforcement of this difference is an important part of our marketing strategy.  

We have also made sure we have many different sources of funding. Our corporate supporters comprise of enterprises and small businesses spread across the country and in all industry sectors.  We are fortunate to be supported by a range of trust funds and our individual supporters are similarly diverse.  Unlike many charities, we do not depend on statutory funding from central or local government.  In recent years, this has helped insulate KidsOut from some of the economic turbulence which has affected the sector.

It's vital to offer a choice of ways for people to give money to charity.  Some people will like to be recognised for their generosity, others prefer anonymity.  Some like the fun of a competition; others prefer to donate online or write a cheque.   There are many styles of giving and a successful fundraiser needs to appeal to as many as possible.

Remember that you work for a business.  Charities have to be run on a normal commercial basis.  Time is money, and only effort which brings results can be afforded.  Once the fundamentals are established, then success will come from growth in the delivery of services to those in need. 

I strongly believe that third sector careers are everything that a corporate career is and more. The buzz you get from realising that you're doing all this not to make more money, but to do more good, is all the more exciting.  At KidsOut, we're fortunate to have grown our income, but that is only the means to an end.  And that is, through our amazing and life-changing work, to give disadvantaged children positive experiences to support them becoming future members of our society and workforce.

The idea behind the Toy Box scheme is simple. In conjunction with Women’s Aid Federation of England KidsOut provide a box of brand new, age and gender specific toys to children who have been affected by domestic violence. The boxes are sent when a child enters their new home giving them something they can all their own. Each Toy Box, costing £100, gives children a sense of normality making the world seem a kinder place when someone cares.

There are 68 Rotary Clubs in District 1060 who are working to each raise £100. This £100 will then be donated to KidsOut and used to purchase 68 Toy Boxes, which will enable KidsOut to expand into more refuges in the Birmingham and West Midlands region.

To date KidsOut has sent over 2500 Toy Boxes to children all over the UK. You can find more information on the Toy Box scheme along with the other services that KidsOut offer by taking a look at ‘What we do’ pages of this website or watching the KidsOut DVD.

Remember to follow us on Twitter @KidsOut and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to be kept up to date with the latest information from KidsOut. Please contact us, leave a comment on this story or email us at info@kidsout.org.uk if you would like to find out more.