SUPERMARKET employees across Dorset are getting an opportunity to vote to support families at local children's hospices.

This month, Morrisons employees in Parkstone, Blandford, Verwood, Weymouth, Bridport, New Milton and Ringwood will get an opportunity to make good things happen for families at Julia’s House, their local children’s hospice, by voting for Together for Short Lives as their new charity partner.

Together for Short Lives - the only charity supporting the UK’s 54 children’s hospices, including Julia’s House - have a chance to win a charity partnership with Morrisons, but they need support from Morrisons staff to win.

Out of more than 100 charities to apply, Together for Short Lives, has made it into the final two charities to be the supermarket giant's charity partner. The result will be decided by a 10-day Morrisons staff vote and the winning charity will enter a three-year partnership aiming to raise around £10 million.

The charity’s Corporate fundraiser, Caroline Attreed, said: “A partnership with Morrisons, and the money raised, would be transformational for Julia’s House and our care for local families who are looking after a seriously ill child 24/7. We would love everyone who works for Morrisons, to choose Together for Short Lives as their next charity partner in the staff vote. A vote for Together for Short Lives is a vote for Julia’s House.”

Julia’s House provides a lifeline of support to families in Dorset and Wiltshire, facing up to the heartbreak of their child dying young.

Andy Fletcher, chief executive at Together for Short Lives highlights the difference this partnership would make for Julia’s House.

He said: “Families of seriously ill children are pushed to their limits every day. Their local children’s hospice provides them with the time and space they need to make precious memories that last a lifetime – the chance to be parents, not carers.

"At the same time, children’s hospices are struggling to meet demand, as the number of seriously ill children in the UK is growing, meaning more families are having to cope alone. A partnership with Morrisons will make good things happen – enabling hospices to provide lifeline support to even more families who need them right in the heart of our community.”

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