Gosport mum on mission to raise £1,000 for Action For Children through online raffle supported by small businesses

More than £300 has already been raised towards a £1,000 target in a charity effort run by Sheree Whetren to support Action For Children.

Sheree, who works at South Western Railway as a community ambassador, wanted to do her bit to support this charity which is backed by her company.

Action For Children supports children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support.

Mum Sheree, whose son is 14, said: ‘The reason I’m doing it is because as a mother of a teenager, I have noticed my child and a few of his friends have had their mental health decline, so the charity is quite close to my heart.’

She added: ‘Raising £1,000 can help train 60 staff members to support young people wanting to commit suicide.’

After reaching out to businesses across the area, especially near to her workplace Hedge End train station, Sheree has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.

Sheree, who runs Try The Train days for groups or individuals who have a disability or barrier to the railway, said: ‘I was absolutely gobsmacked. I put something out on Facebook and in Hedge End and Botley Facebook pages asking for donations.

‘I have had an influx of people wanting to help, which is really nice especially when money is tight.’

SEE MORE: Easter eggs and gardening tool donations encouraged for St Mary's Church campaign to support two charities

The raffle will be drawn on April 16, and tickets can be purchased at Hedge End train station or through the fundraising page set up by Sheree.

Each donation to the page will buy contributors a ticket to the raffle and the chance to win one of the donated prizes.

Prizes include a three-course Sunday lunch for two at the Bugle Inn in Botley, a family photo shoot from Zoe Walker Designs in Fareham, and a tour of Gosport’s Fallen Acorn Brewery.

There are also gift cards, hampers, train tickets and more up for grabs.

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/SouthWesternRailway to donate to the total and be allocated a ticket for a chance to win one of the raffle prizes.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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