Richmond's Skylarks Charity has been selected as one of the Big Give's Christmas Challenge campaign partners.

This means any donations made to Skylarks Charity between the 3 and 10 of December, will be matched which means double the impact of every contribution. 

The charity aims to raise an ambitious £80,000 through this campaign, enabling the it to alleviate the challenges faced by families with children who have additional needs.

Skylarks say these families often face limited access to tailored resources, social isolation and a lack of support, impacting their overall wellbeing and ability to lead fulfilling lives. 

Joanne McAlroy and her daughter Immy (aged seven) are among the many families who have benefited from Skylarks' invaluable services.

Immy was supported through their service, where the team guided Immy's parents in navigating critical areas of care and education. 

Reflecting on their journey, Joanne shared: "As a family, I feel like we have benefited from everything that Skylarks provides. 

"When we first started attending sessions it was to find community and support, but we soon discovered that Skylarks offers so much more.

"Through music therapy we were able to discover how much Immy loves the drums.  

"Regular sessions with the Osteopath has helped with some of Immy's self-injurious behaviours such as head banging and generally made her calmer. 

"As a parent, I have benefited from the SEND advice team, expert talks and, most recently, micro-talks that help navigate the challenges around Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and schooling. 

"One area that I am particularly grateful for is the way in which Skylarks doesn't just recognise the toll on families but actually helps in that area too.

"This year I have attended the online meditation and yoga course that made sure I took time for myself to relax and de-stress. Something that was much needed but I'm sure I would not have made time for otherwise." 

Donations can be made between 3 and 10 December (credit: Big Give).

Deirdre Carswell, Head of Fundraising at Skylarks, said: "We are so proud to have helped families like Immy's and it is stories like theirs that show the real difference Skylarks makes.

"But we can only do this with the support of amazing donations and through the Big Give is a perfect time to do this. 

"Through the Big Give, every donation will be doubled, meaning we can help even more children with additional needs to enjoy the lives they deserve. 

"Since we started in 2006, Skylarks has grown from offering simple play sessions to now providing life-changing therapies, career coaching and essential advice – but there's so much more to do. We're calling on people and businesses to help us reach our target and make a real difference to children and young people."

Skylarks currently supports over 6,500 children and their families from its base in Richmond, offering activities, therapies and support.

Additionally, the charity are raising funds to open a new centre in Hounslow, which involves transforming an existing building into an innovative, welcoming and accessible space for children and families.

This new facility will help Skylarks reach even more families. 

Donations made between the 3 and 10 of December through Skylarks' Big Give fundraising page will be matched pound for pound.

By donating through the Big Give campaign, the public can help Skylarks reach their goals and ensure that children don't get left behind.

To support Skylarks during their Big Give campaign visit its page here.