A Touch of Magic Raised Over £10,000 for SSJ
A Touch of Magic, a Portsmouth based charity who chose SSJ as their cause for 2023, have been fundraising for us throughout 2023. They set a target of £10,000, but absolutely smashed it by raising £10,836!
A Touch of Magic hosted a range of events in 2023, including a ‘Down in New Orleans’ ball, a new fundraising game which combines Swing music with Bingo (Swingo), and an Elvis tribute night. This is all in addition to their regular fundraising opportunities, Share the Magic and Tinsel Tipple.
A Touch of Magic is a wonderful charity founded by Jess, who has been fundraising from a young age, starting her charity in 2008. Her family, including her mum Lara, and fundraising team are incredibly supportive and help make these events happen.
Michelle Jeffery, Business Development and Fundraising Manager for SSJ, said “We truly feel like we have experienced a Touch of Magic through Jess, Lara and their wonderfully welcoming friends and family over the last year. Their dedication and determination to exceed their target for our beneficiaries has been inspiring. Their efforts will benefit 100’s of people in Portsmouth facing multiple disadvantages and has indeed helped us to attract even more funding.”
Why did A Touch of Magic Choose Us?
Jess chose us after her and Lara visited the Rough Sleeping Hub in Portsmouth to meet some of the residents who are benefitting from the meaningful activities we provide, and seeing the very real difference our activities have on people’s lives.
Jess said “We chose SSJ because I grew up in Portsmouth, so it’s close to my heart. I met Lucy at SSJ and visited their Rough Sleeping Hub and fell in love with the work they do. Homelessness is rife and it’s not an area A Touch of Magic has helped before. We really appreciate the difference SSJ makes to vulnerable adults, especially after visiting their centre and seeing it first-hand.”
Lucy, who works directly with the people SSJ help, said “I feel so privileged to be a part of such a unique and incredible project. I get to see people’s first face response when they achieve a certificate or understand something that they didn’t get before. Those faces and responses are priceless. I support someone to take steps to their dream, not many people can say that is what they do for a job.”
What’s Next?
The money that A Touch of Magic has raised means so much to us and will go a long way to help vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness, problems with alcohol and substance use, and other complex needs to change their lives. We are extremely grateful to Jess, her family and the A Touch of Magic team and have really enjoyed attending all the fun events that raised this essential money.
A Touch of Magic have donated £139,000 to date to various charities including Cancer Research, Parkinsons UK, Tonic Music for Mental Health, the Make a Wish Foundation, and Naomi House. They have announced their Charity of the Year for 2024, Portsmouth Hospital’s Charity – Queen Alexandra’s Breast Care Unit.
