CARER GIVES SOMETHING BACK TO LIFE-CHANGING CHARITY
A carer is using her skills and experience to give something back to a centre that changed her life more than 20 years ago. Sylvia Stoneham, who recently joined the Board of Trustess at Sunderland Carers’ Centre, is using the fundraising skills she gained, thanks to a course she was able to undertake with the support of the centre, to raise much-needed finance for the Thompson Road facility. Sylvia, a carer for her husband of 38 years, who was struck down with meningitis in 1995 aged just 38, has carved out a successful career as a fundraiser since receiving financial support from Sunderland Carers’ Centre that allowed her to take part in a five-day accredited Institute of Fundraising course in London. Now, Sylvia has come full circle and is keen to give something back, by using all the skills and contacts she has built up over the course of her 18-year career, to fundraise by organising a festive getaway. Sylvia, who joined the board in April, has facilitated a trip to the Christmas markets of Germany for the past 14 years. This year’s trip, the 15th she has organised, will raise vital funds for the Carers’ Centre, which supports carers aged five and above. The full-time fundraiser, said: “It’s really nice to be able to give something back to a charity that has given so much to me. “I’ve always had a soft spot for Sunderland Carers’ Centre – it’s such a lovely charity – and had it not been for their support 20 years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to have the successful career I’ve enjoyed since. “It’s great to be able to do this for them, and of course, to give people who book a place a fantastic experience too.” The six-day trip – ‘Fairytale Germany and The Christmas Markets’ - which will take place between December 3 and 9, includes luxury coach travel with on-board refreshments, overnight ferry from Hull-Rotterdam and return, four night’s dinner, bed and breakfast in a family run hotel in the beautiful Harz Mountains – famous Grimm’s Fairytale country. There are excursions every day, to five Christmas markets, allowing people to sample the local cuisine, soak up the atmosphere and stock up on all their festive gifts. For further information should contact Sylvia on 07544 567161 or email sylvia. stoneham@hotmail.co.uk