Christine Bentham who is chairwoman of the JUMP children’s charity outlines their work and the support from Lancashire Life

The north west’s premiere Food & Drink Awards, hosted by Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life with support from Robinson’s Brewery, will be raising funds for the JUMP Children’s Charity.

Our charity provides a unique service to children with life limiting illnesses and their families by arranging professional photographers to capture special and everlasting memories that are presented in beautiful Memory Books and Films.

The challenge to fund the work of the charity, in its tenth year, is growing. JUMP spend 90% of their funding on the service itself and this is achieved predominantly by the work of dedicated volunteers.

JUMP is fortunate to receive vital and valued support from local businesses and individual fundraisers. Last year’s Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life Food & Drinks Awards also supported the charity and the evening raised well over £3,000.

In 2009 JUMP introduced a special event to celebrate Christmas Memories. Each November eight children and their families are invited along to ‘A Christmas Memory Day’. Its a wonderful and very personal Christmas experience for each child and their siblings, with party food and an opportunity to meet Santa in his grotto for a special gift and a professional Christmas-themed photo-shoot. This is turned into a Memory Book for each child and it is delivered in time for Christmas Day. JUMP want to expand this event to offer this opportunity to more children in the north west areas.

We are very fortunate that once again we have been chosen to benefit from the Fundraising activities at the Food and Drink Awards. This year we hope to raise £5,000 to enable us to arrange an additional day to offer the Christmas Memory experience to more children with life limiting health conditions and their families

Without the vital support of Businesses like Lancashire Life and Cheshire Life it would not be possible for JUMP Children’s Charity to provide the service that the children and their families deserve. The Memory Books are a priceless gift.

Paula Loudon, mum of Mia who received a Christmas Memory Book, said: ‘What JUMP do as a charity is priceless. They have given our family invaluable memories that we can cherish forever.’

Join the celebrations

Would you like to join us and celebrate with the winners in style? Tickets for the dinner, at The Hilton Hotel Manchester Deansgate on October 27, are now available to buy. Places are limited so please reserve your tickets immediately to avoid disappointment. Individual tickets are £75 each plus VAT. The price includes a drinks reception and canapés on arrival, a locally sourced four course dinner with wine. Tables of 10 are available at £700 plus VAT. Please call Linda Chase on 01925 661912 or email linda.chase@archant.co.uk