Ashdown Radio teams up with East Sussex College for a charity fundraiser

Ashdown Radio has teamed up with East Sussex College to launch "Cuts for a Cause" to Support Families of Seriously ill children. The event is proudly sponsored by Unity Care Solutions, who are based in Lewes.

Natalie Little, a hairdressing student at East Sussex College Hastings, has announced the launch of a charity event called, “Cuts for a Cause,” to raise vital funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.

The fundraiser is deeply personal for Natalie, whose family are supported by the charity during her daughter Esmé’s treatment for a very rare condition called Hirschsprung’s disease.

Driven by the desire to give back, Natalie has partnered with the college and Ashdown Radio to create a community-wide campaign.

Event Highlights

• Charity Salon Services: Students at the college campuses in Hastings, Eastbourne & Lewes will offer wash, cut, and blow-dry services, with the proceeds going directly to the charity throughout the month of May. 
• Grand Raffle: A raffle featuring professional hair tools, luxury product bundles, and gift sets will be held at the college to boost fundraising efforts.
• Ashdown Radio Takeover: Ashdown Radio is joining the cause with Ryan Millns undertaking a mammoth 27-hour non-stop Breakfast Show from 7am on Thursday 28th May through to 10am on Friday 29th May.
• The station will also be holding an on-air charity auction, and a sponsored cyclathon challenge, where Ashdown Radio presenters will under-take the challenge of cycling 305 miles on a Peloton bike!

Natalie said, "Being able to stay close to Esmé during her hospital stays means everything to us,". "I wanted to organize this to ensure other families going through similar experiences have that same level of support and comfort."

Supporting the Cause

The campaign is currently seeking support from leading companies in the hair and beauty industry. Businesses can contribute by donating raffle prizes such as professional hair products, gift sets, or vouchers. All supporting companies will be acknowledged and promoted throughout the event.

For more information on how to donate a prize, please email nataliejayne2009@live.co.uk 

About Ronald McDonald House Charities UK:
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provides free 'home away from home' accommodation to families with children having treatment in hospital. Their Houses allow families to stay together and close to their child's bedside.

About East Sussex College Hastings:
The college's hair and beauty department provides industry-standard training for students whilst offering high-quality services to the local community at their Station Plaza campus.

Event sponsor, Unity Care Solutions said, "At Unity Care Solutions, supporting families is at the heart of everything we do — which is why we’re incredibly proud to stand alongside Ronald McDonald House.

Every day, we work with individuals and families facing complex health challenges. We provide Nurses and Healthcare Assistants to enable children to not just live at home with their families as independently as possible, but to thrive. With our care and expertise, children with even the most complex of needs are accessing education, social activities and even holidays, knowing that their day-to-day medical needs are in safe hands. 

For many of our families however, hospital stays can be a frequent part of life and often aren’t short or simple — they can be long, emotional, and life-changing. That’s where Ronald McDonald House make such a powerful difference. Many of the families we support today, and others we’ve worked with in the past, have relied on these houses during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Having a place to stay close to their child in hospital — somewhere warm, supportive, and understanding — can ease an enormous amount of stress and allow families to focus on what truly matters: being together. 

One powerful example of how this incredible resource can be a lifeline for families is the story of one of our clients, who was born with Ryandine Receptor 1 Myopathy, a rare genetic condition, along with other complex health needs. He spent the first year or so of his life in hospital before he was stable enough, and appropriate nursing care was arranged, for him to return home. This was, understandably, an incredibly challenging and emotional time for his family. However, being able to access Ronald McDonald House made a significant difference, allowing them to stay close to their baby and providing comfort and stability during such a difficult period.

Many of our clients have similar stories to tell, with much of their early lives having been spent in hospital due to being born with complex neurological or genetic conditions. These complex conditions dictate that unplanned, often prolonged hospital trips can be a fairly regular occurrence for our families and so knowing that the support of Ronald McDonald House is there for them is of huge comfort.
 

This is why their work resonates so deeply with us. We see first-hand the impact that compassionate, practical support can have — not just on individuals, but on entire families. It aligns completely with our own mission: to provide care that goes beyond the clinical, recognising the emotional and human side of every situation. Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities is something we truly believe in because when families are supported, outcomes improve and no one has to face challenging times alone.