Brighter futures for families thanks to Children 1st

Children 1st helps survivors of abuse, trauma and other adversity to recover, working with families – like Tracey’s – to help them overcome their past difficulties, build resilience and to move forward together with hope.

Tracey grew up surrounded by abuse and trauma which had a long-lasting impact, she says: “I grew up with parents who were alcoholics. I think that’s what started me drinking.” From a young age, she too turned to alcohol and found herself in a downward spiral with no-one to turn to. When Tracey became a Mum she reached out for support, but often felt judged or blamed. She says: “Every time I got discharged from alcohol support services, there was nothing to fall back on. I was lost. My mental health was just getting worse and worse.” Thankfully, Tracey found Children 1st.

Children 1st supported Tracey to take the time to understand the impact of the abuse she suffered, to courageously face the trauma she experienced as a young and developing child and go on to repair and grow as a woman and mother. The charity has helped Tracey and her family to become stronger. Tracey feels much more positive. She is better able to support her children and grandchildren and is now helping other families, as a volunteer for Children 1st.

 “Having my grandkids and great grandson – having a future with them – is unbelievable.  I never thought I would see that day.”

“I would never have got to where I am now if I hadn’t got the help. I’m just not the same person that I was. I’m actually who I am meant to be. I like myself.”

“If everyone got this help they’d be very lucky.”

Take a closer look at Tracey’s story.
 

Deloitte run for the cause

Of course, without support and fundraising, Children 1st would not be able to provide the vital services that support vulnerable children and young people. At Deloitte we are committed to raising money for them. Whether it’s running a marathon, spending time baking cakes or donating gifts, we are proud to support Children 1st each step of the way.

One of the bigger components of our fundraising for Children 1st has been our annual participation in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival events. Starting with a small core team back in 2017, we have now had over 150 staff participate in the EMF weekend’s various running events. We have had staff of all ages, grades, shapes and sizes and from all parts of the business take part with a healthy contingent from the Glasgow office joining too, as well as a few friends and family in tow. For many of our runners the EMF 10k has been their first ever running event and it’s been a real personal achievement for each of them.

The build up to the event, which normally takes place on the last weekend in May, is palpable with training progress, running wardrobes, pre-race nutrition and the dread of the climb round Arthur’s Seat dominating lunchtime conversation. Our office is often filled with bake sales, raffles and other initiatives complementing our more traditional fundraising efforts in the last few weeks of our campaign.

For the 2019 event we had over 50 athletes tackle the 10k on the Saturday and around 20 taking on the half marathon on the Sunday, together with one marathon runner and one giant Highland Cow running in the 10k - it’s not your typical Saturday morning.  We also had a small number who took part in both the 10k and half marathon last year. Over the last few years, we have raised over £50,000 for Children 1st which is a great collective effort from the team. We’ve been astounded by the huge level of encouragement as well as financial support from our friends, families, clients and colleagues, many of whom have been exceptionally generous year after year.

When I look at what Children 1st has done to support Tracey and many others like her it brings it home why the fundraising we do matters. It makes all the hard miles worthwhile and it’s been great to play our part in delivering on Deloitte’s One Million Futures social impact ambition.