Exciting plans for 2023!

Happy New Year Sunshine News readers,

Team Sunshine is back at it after a well-earned festive break and we’re fighting fit (well, minus a few coughs and sneezes) to take on 2023 and make it a year to remember.

As always, at the heart of our mission will be our Sunshine Children and their families, ensuring we reach as many people who need us this year in the North East. Our Family Coordinators, Bev and Rachel have some exciting plans for outreach in the coming months to raise more awareness about the charity which we’ll be sharing in a future column. Erin is also beavering away and planning for all our 2023 events and we’re thrilled to share two of them with you this week!

Our 2022 trek to take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge didn’t disappoint and so we’re delighted to announce that this year we’ll be heading to the Lake District to take on The Lakes 3000 Challenge. The challenge will see our team summit some of the highest peaks in the Lake District all within 12 hours, including, Scafell Pike (3210ft), Scafell (3209ft), Helvellyn (3120ft) and Skiddaw (3050ft), led by expert guides with our trusted trek provider, Adventure Northumberland.

This will be our third trek with Michael and his team and so we know our trekkers will be in safe hands throughout the challenge. Leading our team will be our very own “Bear Frills”, Erin who took part in her first ever trek last year and led our Yorkshire 3 Peaks group. Erin absolutely smashed the challenge and has since found a love of hiking, she’ll be working with participants to offer personal training and fundraising support over the next few months.

In addition to this, every participant will benefit from a free membership with The Gym Group, across select North East locations, to help them train up until the challenge date. So, whether you’re looking to get fitter and healthier, be more mindful and look after yourself more or have made a personal pledge to support good causes, this challenge ticks every box!

Whilst we welcome first-time hikers, this one is sure to be challenging so participants must be in good health, fit, and able to train ahead of the trek to ensure success of summiting all 4 peaks in the 12 hour timescale. We also welcome solo trekkers, couples, friends, and corporate groups so there is no excuse not to sign up!

If you are interested in taking part or would like to register, please visit our website (www.thesunshinefund.org/trek2023) or contact Erin who I’m sure will be thrilled to talk through the challenge with you! (erin.todd@thesunshinefund.org).

The second event we’re excited to launch this week is a first for us, following on from the success of our ghost hunting extravaganza back in October at our Chillingham Castle Scarefest. North East based Spiritualist Medium, Stephen Crawford, supported our event at Chillingham Castle and kindly donated his time and expertise.

He’s offered to support us once again in an exclusive Evening of Spiritual Mediumship alongside friend and Cosmic Healer, Stuart Watson. The event will take place on Thursday 9th February at the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park from 7pm and will be packed with live audience readings and connections.

Whilst this is a completely new event for Team Sunshine, both Stuart and Stephen regularly host sell-out events across the region and are held with high regard for their talents and gifts. It’s just £10 per ticket so a fab (and very reasonably priced I believe) night out for friends and colleagues, all in support of our Sunshine Kids.

If it’s not something you’ve ever attended but you’re curious, or even sceptical, I urge you to book a ticket and come along to see what it’s all about. Having been to similar events myself, I can confirm that they always offer a wonderful experience, giving comfort and love to many in attendance. Having Stephen and Stuart with us for the evening is just the cherry on top.

To purchase tickets, simply search ‘Sunshine Fund Newcastle’ on Eventbrite.co.uk or drop me an email at Siobhan.sargeant@thesunshinefund.org. We expect it to be a sell out so grab your tickets fast!

That’s all for this week folks, next week we’ll be sharing some lovely pictures from our Winter Sunshine Families sensory play session – I can’t wait!

Siobhan x