Guest Blog
January 2015
Our Children Helping Children Concert–so much more than just a
fundraiser
Neelam Dongha, Press and Communications Officer, HemiHelp
Every other year, our charity holds a classical concert at the prestigious Cadogan Hall, London. It is a huge
event for us and involves a considerable amount of organisation. As a small charity with limited resources,
the concert raises much-needed funds. However, it so much more than a fundraiser and that is the subject
of discussion in this blog. Firstly, let me tell you a bit about hemiplegia and what we do at HemiHelp.
Who are we?
HemiHelp is the national charity for hemiplegia, an
incurable, lifelong, neurological condition. Caused by
damage to the brain (most often before or around the time
of birth), hemiplegia leads to a varying degree of weakness
on one side of the body – like a stroke. Most children with
hemiplegia experience other issues such as learning
difficulties, epilepsy, emotional and behavioural problems.
We provide information, support and run events for
children with hemiplegia and their families as well as for professionals (medical and educational) involved in
their care. Our membership base is made up of over 4,000 families and professionals from all over the UK
and beyond. Our work benefits professionals in the NHS, social services and schools who work with
children with hemiplegia and is the first service recommended to families at the point of diagnosis. Learn
more about hemiplegia and what we do .
The event
Now let me tell you more about the actual concert. It is called the Children Helping Children Concert
because it gives talented young musicians the chance to perform and showcase their talents in one of
London’s finest concert halls. Past performers have included Nicola Benedetti, the famous violinist and this
year’s lineup includes performances by Junior Guildhall School and exciting new boy band UnScripted. The
HemiHelp Choir, a group of our young members with hemiplegia will also be singing. Our celebrity
compere on the night will be CBBC’s Dr Chris van Tulleken (one half of the TV twin doctors duo
from Operation Ouch!).The event typically attracts an audience of over 600 people. View the full
programme.
The organisation process
So what does organising an event like this actually
involve? Right now our sole community fundraiser, Nikki
Twallin, is in the thick of it with her phone constantly
ringing with concert-related enquiries. However, she
begins planning for the event a whole eight months in
advance. After booking a date at Cadogan Hall, she sets
up a committee from members, patrons and trustees. Then
the process begins of putting together a programme and
attracting acts. Being a small charity, you need to be extraresourceful and it’s amazing what great contacts you find you have access to just by utilising your existing
contacts. It is through this route that we secured Natalie Beale as our musical director for this year’s
concert and Damien Lewis (of Homeland fame) as a guest speaker at our last one. Once the acts are
secured, the event-organising rollercoaster really begins! Tasks include planning the itinerary, writing the
copy for the programme, coordinating timetables for rehearsal schedules, advertising the event, designing,
printing and sending out invitations, selling adverts in the programme, getting prizes for the auction, press
and PR, organising volunteers for the evening and so on. This is not a complete list but I think you get the
picture! Nikki’s advice when planning an event of this scale is to start planning early, meet regularly with
your committee and do not be afraid to ask and pull in favours!
What are the benefits?
Fundraiser: As you might expect, the concert is our single biggest fundraiser and accounts for about 15%
of the charity’s annual income. Given that HemiHelp receives no statutory funding, clearly this is a very
valuable income stream for us to do our work.
Raises awareness: Even though 1 in a 1,000 children is affected by hemiplegia, people have rarely heard
of this condition. Holding such a prominent event helps us to increase awareness of this condition and
improve understanding and acceptance of hemiplegia and disability in general. Celebrity involvement helps
to boost this effect. It is also a way for us to raise the profile of the charity and the work we do to support
children with hemiplegia.
Unites our groups: The event brings together all those involved with our charity – our members, staff,
supporters, Board and patrons. It is a positive, collaborative and uplifting event that is a celebration of our
work.
Charity aim: Our overriding aim is to help every child with hemiplegia reach their full potential.
I think the event actually captures the essence of our existence because we are giving children with
hemiplegia a chance to perform in front of a huge audience – a daunting but unique experience and one
that hopefully is fun and raises self-esteem in the process! Any younger members in the audience will
hopefully feel inspired and want to participate in the next one. Rather than take my word for it, let’s hear
from one of the children taking part…
A member’s perspective
Adam Sharp, age 11 will be singing in the HemiHelp Choir at the concert and
says “I have to explain all the time why my left leg and arm don’t work very
well. When we are singing we can just be having fun and everyone will learn
more about hemiplegia“.
Adam’s mother Jos says “Adam has left sided hemiplegia as a result of a brain
tumour, but there are many other reasons why a child may have this condition.
Raising awareness through this concert will help to improve the lives of all
young people with hemiplegia, as the public start to understand the difficulties
they face, but also the amazing strength and resourcefulness of these
children. Adam loves to sing, and to be in a choir of children who have the
same condition as him will be very special. We are really looking forward to it”.
Concluding thoughts
So what is the verdict? Hopefully like us, you too will agree that , the concert does so much more than
merely strengthen our bank balance. It is very much worth the planning, hard work and effort that goes into
organising such an event. For the foreseeable future, the concert will remain a regular fixture on our events
calendar so if you want to see it in action book your tickets and join us for an inspirational evening of
wonderful music!