As part of our 40 Stories for 40 Years celebration, we’re sharing the stories of the people who have been part of Umbrella’s journey over the past four decades.
This week, we’re hearing from Ailsa, whose connection with Umbrella began through friendship and has grown into more than a decade of dedicated fundraising. After seeing first-hand the difference Umbrella made to her friends Alisha and Declan and their son Ronan, Ailsa wanted to give something back. What started with a fundraising event in 2014 has grown into an incredible annual community fundraiser, raising thousands of pounds for Umbrella and helping support the charity’s work with children, young people and families.
Here is Ailsa’s story:
My name is Ailsa, and my connection with Umbrella began many years ago through my friendship with Alisha and Declan.
I used to live on the same road as Declan’s sister, Noeleen. We were great neighbours, and I even did her hair for her wedding day. I was later introduced to Alisha and Declan when they moved from London to Derby, and we soon became friends through socialising at our local pub, The White Swan in Littleover.
Alisha and Declan were both connected to Umbrella as service users, with their son Ronan receiving support from the charity. Alisha also became a core member of the Umbrella team, dedicating many years to helping the charity and the families it supported.
At the time, Umbrella was the only organisation able to offer Alisha and Declan the support they needed for Ronan. It was still early days for Umbrella, and Umbrella House in Mackworth needed a little work doing. We decided to fundraise for some repairs as a way of saying thank you for everything Umbrella did for Ronan and for all the other children and families they supported.
Our first cheque to Umbrella was presented in 2014, and we raised an amazing £2,700. We held a golf tournament, an auction and a fundraising day over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The event grew bigger and better over the years, all thanks to the incredible support of our local community.
People donated auction and raffle prizes, offered their services and helped out in any way they could. Seeing how much the event has grown into what it is today is incredibly humbling, and I am extremely proud to have been involved from the beginning.
I think everyone’s favourite part of the event, including mine, is seeing the Umbrella Raindrops Choir perform. There is never a dry eye when they sing, and seeing how much they have grown in confidence over the years is just wonderful.
Last year, with the continued support of our amazing community, 12 years after that first fundraising event, we presented Umbrella with an incredible £24,000. It is honestly just amazing to see how far we have come.
I live near the Annie Hall Centre, so being able to see how the money raised has helped the centre evolve is particularly special. It has become such a wonderful and safe environment for everyone who attends and works there. Our fundraising has also helped towards ensuring the fabulous Umbrella minibus is insured, allowing it to continue supporting the children and young adults who use Umbrella’s services.
Being involved with Umbrella has been a privilege and an honour. It is a small local charity that has helped so many children and young adults to live happy and fulfilling lives through the different clubs, events and day trips it provides.
I have loved every second of being a fundraiser for Umbrella. I have met so many talented and lovely children and young people who may not have had the opportunities they have today without the support of Umbrella.
To be part of Umbrella’s 40th anniversary year has been incredibly rewarding and a real pleasure. It is so lovely to be able to give back to such a worthwhile charity, and I hope Umbrella can continue the amazing work it does for another 40 years.
