Charity Overview
Rays of Sunshine is a children’s charity which formed in 2003 with a mission to help brighten the lives of children living with serious or life-limiting illnesses. Supporting children aged between 3 and 18 across the UK, the charity grant individual wishes, hospital ward wishes and organise events and outings for large groups of seriously ill children. There are currently over 49,000 children in the UK living with a terminal or serious illness.
Rays of Sunshine’s work will touch the lives of 6,000 brave and deserving children and families this year by providing hope, happiness and an improved positive mental attitude and precious memories for the children and the families it serves.
Watch the video to see how ICAP London staff helped brighten the day for patients and families at the Evelina London Children’s hospital in May.
Project Summary
On the staff volunteer day ICAP staff actively encouraged, participated and supported the delivery of various activities for patients, which included ‘build-a-bear’, nail painting, biscuit decorating and glass decorating. There was also a children’s entertainer and caricaturist. By interacting and engaging with the children and families, ICAP staff offered light relief and entertainment which broke up an otherwise monotonous stay in hospital. Approximately 45 children attended on the day.
“Thanks for arranging the Rays of Sunshine event, it was incredibly rewarding and very humbling. It really helps put things into perspective when you see the kids and how they just carry on without complaining – having fun regardless of their situation. What Rays of Sunshine do has a noticeable positive effect not only on the kids but also on the parents and even the nursing staff. It’s an extremely worthwhile cause and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to help out for just a few hours. I’d encourage everyone to get involved in volunteer days – they’re great.” Matt Digby, Traiana.
To spend time with those sweet children and their parents was an amazing experience for me and it was indeed a privilege to be a part of it.Soo Fuller, ICAP.
See more of Our Impact
Following support from ICAP Charity Day 2015 in Hong Kong, ICAP funded an Employment Enhancement Programme which aims to improve quality of life and encourage greater self-esteem for its beneficiaries.
