IN the heart of Colchester, a beacon of hope and kindness has shone for the past 25 years.
Magic Moments, a charity which has helped make dreams come true for hundreds of children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, is celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary.
The in-house charity of Colchester-based estate agency group Spicerhaart, which operates the Haart and Chewton Rose estate agencies in the city, was set up by Paul Smith and his father Alick, late mother Val, and sister Alison in 1998.
What began as a heart-warming response to a family learning their daughter was terminally ill has spiralled into something much bigger.
Since then, with the help of colleagues, friends, and family, the charity has raised more than £2.5million which has paid for 500 children being supported by hospices across the UK to go to Lapland and an incredible 2,450 children and family members to visit Disneyland Paris.
They’ve also donated 3,000 Easter eggs and more than 1,500 teddy bears, as well as 30 iPads to hospices during the coronavirus pandemic so children could stay in touch with their loved ones online.
Paul, who is now executive chairman of the company, said: “It has been a real family effort to build a charity with a purpose.
“The money has been raised almost exclusively by the Spicerhaart family who have done everything from cake sales to sponsored cycle rides to the Three Peaks Challenge.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work, contributions and determination to give these children their last wishes.”
Magic Moments was launched initially after a family with a terminally ill eight-year-old daughter had to bring their Christmas forward.
The Spicerhaart team supported them by donating presents and helping to make the celebration special and memorable.
Alick, who joined Paul in running Spicerhaart, said: “Our company was in its embryonic stage but the staff embraced the charity from the start.
"Magic Moments would have never been what it is if it wasn't for the effort, not just from the senior team, but everyone in the company.”
Emma Barber, the chairman of Magic Moments, added: “Every year, we never fail to deliver an incredible trip for the families and their children.
“These families are going through the worst moment of their lives; their children are in a hospice and they haven't even thought about having a holiday. And then we make a call to them and it changes their world.
“Taking them to Disney, leaving the hospice behind and seeing them enjoying the magic is incredible.
“One family told me, ‘You gave me the opportunity for my children to see me as a parent, not just through the hospice.’ Even now that gives me goosebumps.
“Our colleagues and their friends and families are the beating heart of Magic Moments and we couldn’t do this without them.”
Anyone wishing to support Magic Moments can visit magicmomentscharity.co.uk. Your generosity can help create more moments of joy for children and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
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