Shooting Star to ACT for Local Charity

News release

30th January 2013

A charity started in the name of a little girl who died from a rare muscular condition will be given free publicity after being chosen as Charity of the Year by Shooting Star PR.

Each year the Lincoln-based public relations agency provides free advice and expertise to a different local charity or non-profit organisation which would not otherwise be able to afford ongoing PR.

The Ally Cadence Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (ACT for SMA) has been chosen to benefit from the pro bono work after sending in a heart-warming letter explaining the charity’s origins and aims, which include raising more than £30,000 over the next year.

The charity was set up by parents Emma and Karl Humphries after they lost their youngest daughter Ally Cadence to the condition in March 2009 aged just six months.

The charity aims to offer needy families across the UK help, advice and equipment as well as spread the word about its services.

Emma, who lives in Walcott south of Lincoln, said: “This is a very rare condition and something which a lot of people are still unaware of – but for the families affected each year it can be devastating and daunting to know where to go for help.

“We jumped at the chance to work with Shooting Star PR as this offers us the opportunity to reach so many more people in need of help, as well as do more fundraising. We’re delighted to have been chosen as their Charity of the Year.”

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects nerve cells so that muscles can't be used and become wasted, or atrophied. The condition is very rare – around 100 cases a year – and can require expensive equipment to make life more comfortable for a poorly child. As such, it can be hard for families to access support or pay for equipment such as wheelchairs and specially adapted car seats.

Shooting Star PR will provide its services to the Ally Cadence Trust throughout 2013, including news releases, feature writing, event planning and media monitoring to help promote their fundraising efforts and raise their profile.

Cerri Delaney, Account Manager at Shooting Star PR who will be handling the charity’s PR work, said: “We received a record number of applicants this year and they were all worthy causes, so narrowing it down to one was very difficult.

“We were immediately taken with Emma and Karl’s story and felt that such a worthy cause, being championed by such a small group of people, would benefit hugely from our help. We’re looking forward to working with them to raise awareness of the work they do and hopefully achieve this year’s fundraising target of £30,000.”

For more information about Ally Cadence Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, please visit www.actsma.co.uk

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Shooting Star PR was founded in 2006 by Kate Strawson and Jez Ashberry and became incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 2007.
• Based in Lincoln, Shooting Star PR works for local and national public and private sector clients across a wide range of sectors including education, leisure and tourism, property, retail, finance, manufacturing and construction.
• Charities in previous years have included Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, STRUT, Lincoln Women’s Aid and Candles.

About Ally Cadence Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• The trust was set up in March 2009 by parents Karl and Emma Humphries in memory of their daughter Ally Cadence. It became a registered charity in December 2009
• Since launching it has raised more than £50,000 to help people affected by the disease get access to specialist equipment
• Visit http://www.actsma.co.uk/ for more on the charity and www.allycadence.co.uk/ for the full story
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects nerve cells so that muscles can't be used and become wasted, or atrophied. The nerve cells become damaged, breaking the link between the brain and the muscles. As a result, the muscles can't be used and waste away. This can lead to problems with breathing as well motor activities such as crawling, walking, feeding and head control.

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney

Tags: