Since launching Heidi’s Heroes we’ve been working with other key charities and organisations in Gloucestershire to help deliver much-needed training and support for those with cancer, the bereaved and to children who at aged ten are about to leave primary or junior school and are still unable to swim.
Cruse, Gloucestershire
Each year we provide bursaries worth £1600 to fund at least four new bereavement counsellors who, once trained, support 30 bereaved people in Gloucestershire each year. This is an ongoing initiative.
Maggies, Cheltenham
We fund weekly Recovery Sessions for those recovering from breast cancer surgery and/or treatment. This is ongoing.
The Amateur Swimming Association
We are working with the ASA on our successful Swim for Summer campaign. Since launching the campaign last year more than 130 junior school children aged 9 and 10 from Cheltenham have either learnt to swim or greatly improved their swimming in an intensive course funded by us. The end of term course helps many children who cannot swim overcome their fear of the water and learn this potentially life-saving skill.
Specialist Cancer Physiotherapist Clare Lait and Cheltenham Ladies College Sports Centre
We are funding weekly exercise circuit classes for cancer patients at all stages of their illness, before, during and post-operative / treatment. Evidence shows exercise speeds up the recovery process as well as providing physical and emotional benefits. These classes are free for cancer patients.