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Once Upon a Smile has done it again! Their hit Christmas charity fundraiser was back for 2023.

This year’s was another unforgettable event with the charity’s co-founders and hosts of the event, Danny Miller and Daniel Jillings at the helm, who ensured the event was filled with joy and festivity for over 250 guests in attendance.

Best friends, Danny and Daniel founded Once Upon a Smile in 2011, to provide emotional and practical support to bereaved families, after it became apparent that there was a lack of support for families after the death of a loved one, specifically a parent or child/sibling.

Having taken place at The Mercure Piccadilly, guests were treated to mesmerising performances featuring one of the UK’s leading choirs the Manchester Chamber Choir, the talented King of Swing, singer Paul Pashley and the Princes of Motown, a group created by former Drifters member and X-Factor finalist, Pierre Herelle.

While enjoying these outstanding performances, there was also a delightful 3-course meal and sparking drinks, adding a touch of elegance to the festivities.

Making the event an experience, guests also were provided magical surprises throughout the day.

“What an amazing day. The generosity sparkled at our successful Christmas charity ball with all money raised supporting bereaved children at their time of need. We thank our wonderful guests, sponsors and partners who generously donated to help make this event our biggest Christmas event to date.”

Daniel Jillings-Co Founder, Once Upon a Smile

Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time so it’s important to remember to take care of yourself and your family over the festive period. If you’re struggling, know that guidance and support at Christmas is available to help you navigate this period.

Please remember that no two people will grieve in the same way.

Some family members may want to celebrate Christmas. Some may not feel like celebrating at all. There is no right or wrong way. The important thing is to find a safe space to have open conversations about how each of you are feeling. Christmas can trigger some BIG feelings; it is important to give children a voice and to listen to each other in a sensitive way that considers everyone’s wishes, where practical.

Some families like to keep the Christmas traditions, while others prefer to do things differently. The earlier these conversations are had, the lighter you may feel in the build up and on the day itself. Whilst there in no right or wrong way to manage your Christmas, what matters is that you do what feels right for you and your family.

Be kind to yourself when around family and friends

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and don’t feel obliged to ‘hold it together.’ Many families have shared with us that they have felt the need to do this, especially in front of extended family and friends who are hosting them for Christmas. Having early conversations with family and friends may bring comfort to everyone. You could use the below examples of how to have these conversations.

For friends and family: ‘We may feel a little overwhelmed over the festive period, we may need to take time out during the day to have a little rest, please don’t feel we don’t appreciate you or you have done something wrong’ ‘We are not sure how we will feel on Christmas day, please do not be offended if we only stay a little while, we are very grateful for your invite’.

For you and your children: ‘I am feeling a little sad right now, I am missing mummy a lot today. I am just going to sit down for a while and spend a little time to look after myself. If this is something you need to do today, then that’s ok too’.‘Christmas can still be exciting, no one should have any expectations on how you should feel. It’s perfectly normal to still have fun and laugh today, there may be times when you feel sad and that’s ok too.’

Christmas Day Traditions

When your loved one was a huge part of your traditional Christmas it can often feel overwhelming to stay at home. The festive season can bring back memories that intensify feelings. You may want to continue with traditions, and you may feel comfort in doing so or you may want to do something different. It may feel overwhelming to cook a traditional Christmas dinner, if so, it’s okay to cook something completely different. Here are a few simple ideas if you choose to do something different this year:

  • Book a restaurant, you may want to relief yourself of cooking a festive meal.
  • Go on holiday, if this is something you can afford then heading off during the festive period can be very comforting and provides time to relax & recharge.
  • Family and friends, spend Christmas surrounded by loved ones.
  • Volunteer – it can be rewarding whilst giving you time out of the family home for a few hours.

Writing and receiving Christmas cards

There are no rules when it comes to writing Christmas cards, but something many families struggle with. Writing cards for the very first time without including a loved one can be a heartfelt moment. Send them if it feels right for you but don’t put pressure on yourself to do so. If you want to include your loved one in the card but not sure how, you may choose to write ‘from the Jones family’. Many parents ask if they should write their child a card from the person who has died, this is personal to you, we would suggest making them aware that you wrote the card in memory of their loved one to prevent younger children from magical thinking that their loved one is still here. Some people may not be aware your loved one has died or may not know what to write. Seeing your loved one’s name in a card may bring comfort or sadness. Please know this is not personal and people are trying their best to support your feelings.

Putting a tree up

‘My husband would always get the tree out of the loft, he would sit for hours untangling the lights, we would celebrate the switch on with laughter and love. We would put the tree up as a family whilst stuffing our faces with mince pies and listening to festive music, the thought of doing this without him for the first time in 27 years fills me with dread’.

So many adults tell us that they don’t want to put a tree up, and again, there’s no right or wrong answer. For some it’s a difficult decision to make as it welcomes many anticipated feelings to the build up of Christmas. The absence of tiny rituals can be hard to face but many children love decorating trees. Maybe you will choose to do things slightly different this year to ensure everyone’s wishes are considered.

  • Reach out for support, you don’t have to face this alone. Maybe a family member or friend can hunt the Christmas tree out for you.
  •  Maybe the children will enjoy decorating the tree on their own? You might be pleasantly surprised with their creation.
  •  Ask a family member or friend to help the children decorate the tree.
  • You may want to find a completely difference space in your home for the tree.
  •  You may all decide you don’t want a tree and choose something else to decorate and that’s ok.

Self-care

Some people feel guilty for carrying on with celebrations, but please remember you are all deserving of happiness. You will have good and bad days but what is important is that you look after each other. Here are a few ideas that families have shared with us:

  • Ask for help if you need it
  • Don’t stop doing the things that bring joy
  • Eat healthy, drink water, gets lots of rest, plenty of fresh air
  • Keep things flexible
  • Limit alcohol
  • Make new traditions
  • Its OK to be OK
  • Do mindfulness activities
  • Try journalling
  • Have open conversations with your children
  • Feel free to decline
  • Feel free to say no

Below are some self care ideas that you can do with your children – Remember to give them a choice, where practical:

  • Light a special candle
  • Visit a special place
  • Pull a Christmas cracker in memory of your loved one
  • Set up a craft table with paints, paper etc
  • Personalise a Christmas ornament
  • Embrace happy memories you shared
  • Listen to their favourite music
  • Make their favourite recipes
  • String a garland of memories together
  • Make a memory table runner
  • Make a tree topper in memory
  • Watch a favourite film
  • Arrange a family walk
  • Have cuddles on the sofa with a warm blanket

If you need guidance and support at Christmas, remember you are not alone.

Once Upon a Smile can provide you with emotional and practical support at your time of need to enable you to adjust to a new life without your loved one.

We support children and families when a parent/guardian or sibling has died. We pride ourselves in tailoring our support to the needs of each individual family.

For guidance and support at Christmas, we’re here for you.

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The company are a Manchester based, global business who have a commitment to support positive change and transformation for their customers and their communities. This partnership will help us to continue to provide tailored practical and emotional support to bereaved children and their families.

“We are thrilled to be the chosen charity of One Consulting. Establishing a partnership with One Consulting, who are dedicated to making a positive impact in their community, is truly wonderful. We look forward to our partnership ahead” – Dan Jillings-Co Founder & CEO, Once Upon a Smile

“We’re delighted to support Once Upon a Smile as our chosen charity. Their dedication to providing emotional and practical support to bereaved families is truly heartwarming”

Stephen Repton-CEO, One Consulting & Associates

One Consulting have already began working closely with us to support our work. Since our partnership began at the beginning of November, they have already contributed to our upcoming Christmas Ball by donating some amazing auction items and have donated a laptop.

We wish to thank One Consulting for their support and for choosing Once Upon a Smile as their charity of choice. We look forward to working together!

Are you interested in learning more about being a Corporate Partner with Once Upon a Smile?

Contact a member of our team

Ed from Stockport Homes Group has taken on a huge running challenge for 2023.

Over the past 18 months, the dedicated team at Stockport Homes Group has been taking on a broad range of fundraising activities helping to raise funds to help us continue our work. This has included abseiling, jumping out of planes, running and walking challenges and more!

Ed, a team colleague at SHG decided to create his own unique fundraiser as part of housing provider’s charity support by running a staggering 500k in 12 months during 2023!

He has astonishingly completed his challenge FOUR MONTHS early, he’s also raised over £700!

We asked Ed to share with us what inspired him to take on such a big challenge, here Ed comments;

“Having recently become a father, this cause really spoke to me. What would happen if… My original aim was to raise £500 but I’m hoping to double that total by the end of the year. It was the thought of my son who kept me going when I didn’t want to run anymore, which is why it was fitting that he crossed the final finish line with me!”

Ed – Stockport Homes Group

We want to say huge well done and thanks to Ed and all of the team at Stockport Homes Group for choosing Once Upon a Smile as their Charity of Choice and for all of the amazing support they have given to us.

See how Stockport Homes Group are getting on with their fundraising and show your support.

Are you interested in fundraising for Once Upon a Smile? Get in touch!

Contact a member of our team

Ben is taking on an Ultra Marathon in memory of his nephew who died of an acute and severe asthma attack when he was 10 years old.

Ben has also suffered with asthma for most of his life which makes this undertaking all the more challenging and significant.

As it approaches Isaac’s 18th birthday, Ben wanted to mark this in a special way so decided to tackle the TEC Snowdonia Spring Crossing on Saturday, 25 March 2023, with the hopes of raising at least £3,000 for Once Upon a Smile! This is the UK’s hardest mountain ultra-marathon of the year, with a distance of 56 KM and a total elevation of 3556 Meters.

Ben has been on an 8-month training programme and is taking on this incredible but difficult challenge on Saturday 25th March, with the aim to complete the challenge in around 10 hours.

“I have participated in long distance mountain events and fell races in the past, but nothing compares to the training for this. I know that this challenge will be like nothing I have ever done, but knowing that I will be doing this in Isaac’s memory on his 18th Birthday, and raising funds for Once Upon a Smile will provide me with the motivation to get to the finish line no matter what it takes!”

Sponsor Ben!
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