Charlie's Star Charity launch 'Cheers to Charlie'

Saturday, 6 April 2024 01:00

A charity covering the South West of England with strong connections to Salisbury has launched a new fundraising campaign called Cheers to Charlie.

The charity was set up five years ago in memory of Charlie Burns, who died suddenly aged 10. The reason for his death was given as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), a silent killer.

Charlie's Parents, Barrie and Jan Burns have turned their pain into positive action. First, they raised money for Salisbury District Hospital's Stars Appeal and Wiltshire Air Ambulance and, more recently, founded the charity.

So far, they have raised an excess of £120,000 and highlighted SUDEP.

The charity provides holiday breaks for bereaved families, paying for their travel, accommodation, food and local excursions. They say that none of us can change what has happened, but we can make their lives a little easier together.

Charlie's Star is now launching a new 'growing fundraiser', Cheers to Charlie, with the idea of many small social gatherings that spread and raise a large amount of money.

The idea is simple: You invite five friends to a social occasion. They each agree to pay £5 to come and also agree to host their own social gathering. In doing this, the events and gatherings spread.

Ali Greenwood, a trustee at Charlie's Star Charity, said, "Our charity has been running for five years this year, and so we wanted to do something that lots of people could be involved in without too much effort but a good amount of fun and socialising."

Cheers to Charlie launches at the Royal George on Bedwin Street in Salisbury on Thursday, 11th April, at 7 pm.

Find out more about Charlie's Star Charity here - https://www.charliesstar.org/

More from Local News

Goose Fair Crowds Raise £16k for Salisbury Hospice Charity

The Grimsdyke Goose Fair, held on Sunday 2nd August, saw people from across the south gather at Swaynes Firs Farm in Coombe Bissett for a traditional poultry auction and car boot sale.
Red Arrows to Celebrate Longleat Safari Park's 60th Anniversary with Fly-Past

The renowned RAF Red Arrows will conduct a special fly-past to mark the 60th anniversary of Longleat’s pioneering safari in Wiltshire, it has been announced.
Salisbury Bemerton Community Board has been successfully established

The Salisbury Bemerton Community Board has been successfully established, marking another important milestone in the delivery of the government’s Pride in Place programme and its long-term vision for the area.
Salisbury City Council launches Living Legacy Project with 800 trees for the City

To mark the 800th anniversary of Salisbury receiving its Royal Charter, Salisbury City Council is launching a landmark Living Legacy Project.
National award on the slate for local roofing company

This afternoon on Salisbury Radio Craig Hicks has asked his listeners to vote for a local Salisbury company in national roofing industry competition.
South Western Railway launches crackdown on ‘short-faring’

SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex (NR Wessex) have launched a major crackdown on ‘short-faring’ - where customers deliberately buy a ticket only for part of their journey instead of paying the correct fare for the full distance travelled – after identifying widespread misuse of barcode tickets and e-tickets by customers deliberately avoiding paying the correct fare.
PCC launches public survey on Government's proposed police reforms

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson is calling on residents across Wiltshire and Swindon to have their say on the Government's proposals for the biggest changes to policing in a generation.
Hatch House Open Garden returns Sunday 30th August in support of Salisbury Hospice Charity

The annual Open Garden at Hatch House, which this year takes place on Sunday 30th August from 11 am until 4:30 pm.