Young McKenzie cuts the ribbon at Rainbow Trust children's charity new base

THE Rainbow Trust children’s charity, which supports families with a seriously ill child, has officially opened its new office at Calmore Community Centre.

Supporters new and old attended the event, including volunteers, local businesses, community centre committee members and councillors Neville Pennman and Dean Britton.

The trust was delighted to welcome the Kemish family from Southampton whom it has previously supported. McKenzie, now aged nine, celebrated being cancer-free for five years last December and was guest of honour for the centre’s ribbon-cutting.

The charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening illness to make the most of their time together. It provides expert practical and emotional support, wherever possible, for as long as needed. Families are paired with an expert support worker who helps them at home, in hospital and in the community.

McKenzie’s mother Amberley said: “We will be eternally grateful to Dawn [Pond] and the other members of Rainbow Trust who were always there to help us through. Ask for help, it can and does make a huge difference.”

Dawn Pond, family support manager for the Southampton care team, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everybody who attended this wonderful event. The Rainbow Trust care team, who are currently supporting approximately 100 families in Hampshire, Dorset and the IOW, have been made to feel so welcome by everyone.

“Our new home means we can really become part of the local community. This will help us spread the message to families of a seriously ill child that Rainbow Trust are here if they want our support. We are also hoping it will encourage people to support us to raise much needed funds, so we can reach out to even more families”.

The Southampton Care Team moved completely from its former base in Fairways House, Mount Pleasant Road, to the Calmore Community Centre in July.

It is easier for families to get to and for support workers to reach clients because of its excellent transport links. The new improved space also includes a playroom.

Rainbow Trust is a national charity providing expert practical and emotional support to families, where they need it, to help them make the most of each new day.

It relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and thanks to the generosity of its supporters helps over 2,300 families through its nine care teams in England.