Last year Home-Start volunteers worked with 30,000 families and their 60,000 children but young children still face hardship or tragedy through no fault of their own and the sad fact is Home-Start can’t help every family who needs us.

That is why Home-Start is launching its 2017 Snowflake Appeal to raise funds to help more children and their families.

By supporting the Home-Start Snowflake Appeal you will be helping us work with people like Naneh and her daughter.

Naneh and her husband lived an ordinary life until, without warning, their world was turned upside down. Just two months before the birth of their second child they were devastated when their four year old son suddenly passed away.

The family’s lives were thrown into complete turmoil. Naneh and her husband had to handle the stress and pressure of a new baby, while trying to cope with the sheer grief of losing their son. As their daughter grew Naneh knew she was missing out on a normal childhood. “I knew my girl was starved of regular input from happier adults,” she says.

Thankfully, Naneh came across Home-Start’s details and decided to get in touch. She was matched with a volunteer called Sue, a grandmother and former pre-school teacher.

“Sue came to see us every week,” Naneh remembers. “She was so patient, there was no pressure – she cared for and played with my daughter which gave me time to think.”

You can hear Naneh and Sue tell their story on our podcast here.

Please help us to help families like Naneh’s with a gift of £20 so that we can be there for every family who needs us.

Rob Parkinson, chief executive of Home-Start UK said, “At this time of the year we ask everyone to dig deep and support our annual Snowflake Appeal. Every penny counts and makes a big difference to our work. We want to help Home-Starts in every corner of the UK to work with the families who need a helping hand at a critical time in their lives. So, please do support our Snowflake Appeal in any way you can.

Anyone can help. Visit the Home-Start Snowflake Appeal website at www.snowflake.org.uk to get involved.

You can download fundraising packs, make a donation or buy snowflake decorations, cards, bunting, friendship bracelets and much more from our online shop.