Globe News
Charlotte campaign given official charity status
2:43pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A charity set up in memory of Wirral car crash victim Charlotte Churchill has been given the official go-ahead.
The 19-year-old’s mum Angie was told today that Charlotte’s Brightside Trust CLC has now been registered by the Charity Commission.
Charlotte, from Wallasey, was tragically killed last April when the car which she was a passenger hit a tree.
But her death inspired her family and friends to launch a massive fundraising drive to launch Brightside, which is named after the nursery nurse’s favourite song by The Killers.
A series of events, including a music festival and birthday ball, were organised in a bid to raise funds and drum up support for the Trust which will provide a place for young people to hang out.
And after raising more than £13,000, Angie is delighted to move onto the next phase of the charity’s development.
She said: “It has been a fairly quick process in getting everything through and having the charity officially registered so I am really pleased with how things have moved along so smoothly.
“Our next step is to focus on confirming a base for Brightside and start putting in bids for grants from the Lottery and so on – it’s a very exciting time for us.”
It is hoped Brightside will be a “hub” of arts, drama and music for teenagers and offer them a safe place meet friends and have fun.
Angie and her team are hoping to secure a building in New Brighton for the charity and will be holding events in May to spread the message about Brightside and run taster sessions with local youngsters.
She has also arranged more fundraisers as well as a special social night to mark the first anniversary of Charlotte’s death.
A Sportsmen’s Dinner on March 23 will be held at The Leasowe Castle Hotel and include a three course meal, auction, raffle and live entertainment. Tickets are £30.
And a family fun day will take place on April 6 at the Clarence Pub from 12pm-6pm and will include a disco, barbecue and an appearance from children’s favourite Peppa Pig.
Angie added: “As well as our planned fundraising events, we want to invite all Charlotte’s friends and family to an open mic’ night we are having at The Boot pub, Wallasey on April 9.
“It will be one year to the day since Charlotte died and I want to make it as positive as I can because I’ve found it’s actually the build-up to landmark events like birthdays and Christmas that is worse than the day itself. It will be lovely to see all the people who have supported us.”
To book tickets to the Sportsmen’s Dinner or offer your support to Charlotte’s Brightside CLC contact Angie via e-mail at: angie.churchill@yahoo.co.uk