by Nick Posford, CEO, CICRA
Earlier this year, CICRA was delighted to hear that Global’s Make Some Noise had chosen us to be one of their charities for 2018. I have worked in charities of different shapes and sizes for 12 years, and seen the difference a partnership with big brands and big names can make. Too often, in my view, the biggest brands partner with the biggest charities. This might seem unremarkable because the big charities have the staff and infrastructure and the all important household recognition, so the big brands think the impact they can have is maximised. But this means very worthwhile (and yes, sometimes niche) causes don’t get the attention they really deserve.
Global’s approach is a refreshing change. They are the parent company of major national radio stations like Heart, Classic FM, LBC, Radio X, Smooth and Capital FM. They use their national reach to give small charities a higher profile as well as raising funds to make a difference for those causes. They have over 30 charities united under one campaign in 2018 and when you consider the thousands of children and families helped by these charities, the impact can be just as impressive as a major national charity benefitting from a major national partnership. You can read more about the incredible small charities we are privileged to be alongside.
For each of these charities, the potential of Make Some Noise can be completely transformational.
We are a small charity that has developed from parents of very sick children who wanted to stop other families having to suffer. We have kept our family focussed ethos over 40 years and the positive feedback we get motivates our small team every single day. If Make Some Noise achieves their fundraising goal – thanks to the efforts of so many like Jamie Theakston’s epic walk to London – their support will mean we can employ a family support worker and create a set of psychological resources to help young people like Mansi. This increase in our support for families will mean they have a shoulder to lean on during a difficult time in their lives.
This really matters, because the number of children being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis has dramatically increased with a quarter of those newly diagnosed now being under 18. At nursery, school and college, there are young people dealing with the most taboo of diseases, one that can wreck their childhood. They suffer with fatigue and pain, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, loss of concentration and lack of energy. Some also live with pain and inflammation of the skin, joints and eyes.
We are proud to be a Make Some Noise charity and we love the charities we are alongside – like us, they are small but they are making a big difference.
With the support of Global and its radio station roster of superstar DJs and presenters, charities like ours are getting exposure we could only dream of. Which means more children, and more families, become aware of somewhere to turn, to get help, to be supported. I love the Global’s Make Some Noise model, as it uses the power of big to make a difference for small – and don’t we always say that big brothers and sisters should look out for their siblings…?
This is why on Friday, I will be dressing loud and proud!
