Romford based charity, Mitchell’s Miracles has received a donation of £5,000 from South Ockendon insurance provider, SEIB Insurance Brokers (SEIB). A cheque from SEIB for the £5,000 has been presented to Kristel Huth, founder of Mitchell’s Miracles and charity trustee, Davina Woodger.
Mitchell’s Miracles was set up by Kristel in 2013 after her son, Mitchell lost his fight against childhood cancer, Neuroblastoma the previous year. Kristel founded Mitchell’s Miracles in her son’s memory to increase awareness of Neuroblastoma and to support families across the UK affected by Neuroblastoma both emotionally and financially.
Kristel said: “This amazing donation will help quite a few families. Times are hard at the moment, and we are experiencing more applications than ever before. The cost of living has really affected families that are on a cancer journey. We are so busy fundraising and a donation like this one makes such a difference.”
SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzy Middleton met Kristel earlier this year and having heard her story was determined to support this local charity. Suzy said: “We’ve got a strong history of giving back to the local community here at SEIB. Having met Kristel and found out her strength of mind, determination and experience in providing support for the families of children diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, I was equally determined we should support them.
Suzy continued: “Alongside the donations, as a business we are also proud to be supporting the hard work of Mitchell’s Miracles by arranging teams here from SEIB to volunteer for the charity during their busy periods, helping to create bravery blankets and also lend a hand to help at the charity’s Christmas market.”
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that affects children mostly under the age of 5 years. Around 100 children between the ages of 0 and 14 years are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year in the UK. Very rarely it can develop in older children, teenagers and adults.
Kristel set up Mitchell’s Miracles to offer financial and emotional support to families affected by Neuroblastoma. Part of the charity’s role is to lessen the burden of financial pressures once hospital treatment starts. Mitchell’s Miracles offers grants to families for things including the cost of travelling to and from hospital, household utility bills, mortgages and loss of income. The charity also offers emotional support to families experiencing the turmoil that can occur when faced with the news that their child has Neuroblastoma.
Chief Operating Officer at SEIB, Bipin Thaker said: “SEIB has supported various small charities over the past few years, and we are delighted to be supporting the invaluable work Mitchell’s Miracles do in the community – both in supporting those affected by neuroblastoma and helping increase awareness of this childhood cancer amongst the general population.”
SEIB regularly supports small and local charities both through donations and fundraising initiatives by SEIB employees. The company provides insurance cover for a number of charities and has done so since its inception over 60 years ago. Since 2018, SEIB has donated over £300,000 to good causes throughout Britain.