6 Charities Close To The SL Team’s Hearts

“A friend’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer in January and, at just 11 years old, her life and that of her family's have been turned upside down. She is now facing months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a battle to beat this horrendous disease. Children with Cancer UK is an organisation that raises money to fund research, increase awareness and, most importantly, support children and their families as they navigate their journeys after diagnosis. I'll be walking 50km for the charity in April this year. For anyone, the word cancer is almost too much to deal with, but when you are a child, it is unthinkable. Every penny we can raise counts.”

Visit ChildrenWithCancer.org.uk 

“Alongside Age UK, one charity I support is Marmalade Trust, which aims to tackle the issue of loneliness in the UK. It helps people of all ages – both young and elderly – who are experiencing loneliness, whether they live alone or don’t have much day-to-day contact with other people. It’s a fairly new and small charity, but it has already helped thousands of people around the country, especially since the pandemic, when many people became isolated and struggled to connect with family and friends. You can donate, sign up to be a volunteer to have regular calls with people the charity supports, or fundraise to help boost donations.”

Visit MarmaladeTrust.org

"As you can imagine, the SheerLuxe beauty team gets sent lots of new products to test, but the constant rotation means there’s always an excess that deserves a good home. For a few years, I've been donating this excess to Stonewater – a refuge near where I live in Brighton for those fleeing domestic abuse, often in the night with nothing but what they're wearing. I know how vital Stonewater is to so many women and children, providing invaluable support and the kind of safe space that many of us take for granted. Not only does it ensure that products don't go to waste, they go to those who are in real need of essentials – basics like shampoo and body wash – as well as products that can help them to renew both their confidence and identity. I've seen first-hand what people can get from using these products, which can really help them to feel like themselves again.”

Visit Stonewater.org

“When a friend of mine discovered her youngest child had Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), it was a real shock. After her happy, beautiful toddler showed some unusual developmental signs, she sought medical advice – sadly, she received the news no parent wants to hear. DMD is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy, and it’s a progressive condition that causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken, cutting short a life. There is currently no cure for DMD, but there is hope. Duchenne UK was founded by two mothers whose sons were also diagnosed with DMD in 2011. It raises money to fund ground-breaking medical research, accelerate access to treatments, and ensure everyone affected by DMD is given the care and support they need. Part of that fundraising activity includes the Duchenne Dash – a London to Paris bike ride that my husband has done a few times. It's a remarkable charity that is making real headway in improving the lives of people affected by this awful disease.”

Visit DuchenneUK.org 

“Mental health is something we’ve all become so much more aware of in recent years – particularly during the pandemic. Personally, Samaritans is a charity I feel strongly about, not least because my mum has worked for the organisation since 2007. Desperately short on both funds and volunteers, there are multiple ways to get involved. It’s incredible to see the difference a simple phone call can make to someone life; they might be going through anything from a devastating break-up to having potential suicidal thoughts, but having someone listen to them is sometimes all it takes to help them feel better. Given the severe shortfall in mental health support services in this country, Samaritans does vital work that makes a significant difference to communities all over the UK.”

Visit Samaritans.org 

“I’ve been on a journey with my mental health over the past few years, experiencing first-hand the systems and support available for anxiety disorder. As someone who lost a parent at a young age, my journey with therapy has also involved elements of grief counselling that I wish I had access to as a young person. These experiences made me want to become involved with a charity that helped support young people struggling with these same challenges, so Young Minds quickly became an obvious choice. Social media can be quite a toxic place for young people – mental health struggles, depression and anxiety have all become more apparent in teens. Plus, for teens who are grieving, tailored support is so necessary. So, having something like Young Minds is incredibly valuable. Its services don’t end at mental health and grief support either. It offers support in other areas such as identity and discrimination, specific health conditions and neurodiversity.”

Visit YoungMinds.org.uk