Next month, residents across Portsmouth and the BCP region will be invited to donate a gift for a child or young adult at their local BH Live Active leisure centre.

Gifts will be distributed to local children, young people and their families under the care of Julia’s House Children’s Hospices (Bournemouth) or Naomi House and Jacksplace (Portsmouth).

Collections are taking place across all BH Live Active centres between Monday 2 December 2024-Sunday 15 December 2024*. Julia’s House, and Naomi House and Jacksplace, support children from 0-18 years. Welcome gifts include vouchers, sensory items, books, pamper items, fidget toys, soft toys, board games, or card games.

Monetary donations will also be gratefully accepted at juliashouse.org.uk and naomihouse.org.uk/donate. More advice on gift ideas is online at bhliveactive.org.uk/donate-a-toy-faq. Customers are also encouraged to chat with a member of the team in their local centre if they have any questions.

As a registered charity and social enterprise, BH Live continues to support local causes such as Julia’s House through partnerships and charitable activities. In addition, BH Live is supporting Julia’s House Great Tail Trail as an official Community Partner, which comes to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in Spring 2025.

On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared;

“It is a privilege to continue our support of the great work Julia’s House and Naomi House and Jacksplace do through this special gift donation. We encourage customers to donate whatever they can to bring some festive joy to children and their families across the region – who are facing some of the toughest times. Our teams unanimously agreed to support this incredible cause – we hope that we can bring lots of smiles to children’s faces.”

Julia’s House is a children’s hospice charity that provides critical and compassionate care to families of the most seriously ill children across Dorset and Wiltshire.

Katie Thompson, Julia’s House Business and Community Fundraiser, said:

“We’re hugely grateful to BH Live and their customers for their continued support for Julia’s House and generosity throughout the year. As a charity, we rely on donations to provide our critical and compassionate care for the most seriously ill children in our local community.

“At Christmas time especially, we want to help bring light, laughter and comfort to the families we support. Each special donation made will help to sprinkle a little extra Christmas magic this year – thank you!”

Naomi House and Jacksplace is a charity and hospices for children’s and young adults’ that provide care for more than 500 children with life limiting or life threatening conditions across central Southern England.

Pete Abrahams, Head of Supporter Services at Naomi House & Jacksplace, shared;

“At Naomi House & Jacksplace, our compassionate care team help children, young adults, and their families create precious memories during difficult times. This is only possible because of generous support like this. Thank you to BH Live and their customers for helping us make magical memories for the families in our care this Christmas.”

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport said:

“It’s inspiring to see our partners at BH Live stepping up once again to support such a meaningful cause. Our city is home to so many kind-hearted and generous residents, and we encourage anyone who is able to join this initiative and contribute. Your support could genuinely make a difference in someone’s life.”

For more information about Julia’s House visit juliashouse.org.uk.

For more information about Naomi House and Jacksplace visit naomihouse.org.uk.

For more information about BH Live, visit bhlive.org.uk.