Goodbye from Katie

Hi Sunshine Readers,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this column to wish you farewell.

My name is Katie Muxworthy and I’m the marketing and communications officer at The Chronicle Sunshine Fund. Over the last year I have been part of the sunshine fund team, running their social media, website, marketing materials, creative visuals and covering some of the responsibilities of team member Lauren, who has been on maternity leave. This will be my last ever column as I head off to join a brand-new team at Reeves Financial, as their new marketing manager. I can’t wait for the new challenge but needless to say I am going to miss the sunshine team lots (and their incredible supporters).

When I first joined The Chronicle Sunshine Fund, I could never have anticipated the impact it would have on me, not only professionally, but personally too. The work the charity does is not only SO vital and important, but the whole team works tirelessly to ensure that they can help as many children and families, right here in the North East. I spent most of my days in awe of the dedication, hard work, passion and care that my team members have, and I feel so grateful that I got to work alongside such wonderful humans.

From Rebecca, our events co-ordinator and all-round superhero of the office, I am grateful to watch you work so effectively and diligently at your job. Your care and passion for helping others shines out of everything you do, plus you have the BEST sense of humour going. Rachel, our family co-ordinator, whose intelligence and knowledge knows no limits, I will be forever inspired by your drive to help those who need you and change lives for the better. To Ashleigh, who although is one of the newest members of the team, has helped lead the team through some difficult months and has shone so brightly. Although I may not have had the chance to work alongside Lauren as much as I would have liked to, it was great to be able to cover your responsibilities whilst you were away spending precious moments with your beautiful new son.

I am forever grateful to Siobhan, The Chronicle Sunshine funds charity director, whose passion and dedication to helping children living with disabilities shines through everything she does. Working with somebody like Siobhan means you are constantly inspired and awed by her tireless efforts to fund life changing equipment and you’re always motivated to be the best you can be. Thank you, Sunshine Fund team.

My personal highlights over the course of the last year include the glamorous glitterball event we hosted last September, in which I wore my first ever ballgown, to the remarkable Glass Slipper awards, in which I got to be a part of one of the most inspiring rooms in the North East, packed full of courageous and influential women in our region. Our Christmas grotto bus, hosted by Stagecoach was one of my favourite experiences, in which I got to spend a day with Santa and his elves, whilst helping children living with disabilities, who may not be able to access the usual Christmas events like other children, be welcomed into an inclusive magical space. I will look back at my time spent at the charity with such fond memories.

Most importantly for me, I will remember the children that we have helped in this last year. Their stories, their families and the phone calls we make, telling a child that we are able to fund the equipment they so desperately need to be able to live their life to the fullest, is a feeling like no other. I have shed more tears than I knew I had over the last 12 months, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you so much to the incredibly hardworking team at The Chronicle Sunshine Fund, but also to YOU, as supporters, donators and friends. Without you the team could not continue to change lives. I’ll miss you.

Forever Team Sunshine,

Katie x