Bereavement charity launches 11th hour fundraising appeal to avert closure

A charity that supports families of babies who have died has become the latest in the sector to launch an 11th hour fundraising plea to avert closure.

SiMBA, which helps families to create ‘memory boxes’ of their baby as part of their grieving, has revealed that it will be forced to shut its doors in three months time unless further funding becomes available.

It is “urgently appealing” to its supporters to donate “at this critical time” adding, “we need you now, more than every before to help save SiMBA”.

It said that “spiralling costs and a significant shortfall in fundraising” are the cause of its financial crisis.

“We will do everything we can to continue providing our Memory Boxes, but we can’t do it alone,” it said.

“With no regular Government funding, we rely on the kindness and generosity of our incredible supporters so we can continue our essential work.”

In December last year Cornwall based mental health charity Sea Sanctuary launched a £200,000 fundraising appeal to avoid closure. The money was needed to help it restructure and plan its long term stability.

However, this month the charity announced this last-minute attempt to secure its future had failed and it has now closed.

“It is with considerable sadness that we must now confirm the closure of Sea Sanctuary,” said Sea Sanctuary.

“Despite our best endeavours and the generosity of the public/followers and our clients, we have been unsuccessful in raising the required amount to remain open. As a result, the charity closed at the end of January 2023.”

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