Launched in 2015 and run solely by Melanie Hersey, Touch of Sparkle is a charity project that provides care packs primarily to cancer patients at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
The idea is to spread a little care and humanity, and try to lighten the load for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery for cancer.
The packs include a variety of items such as bed socks, tissues, sweets, puzzle books, notebooks, earphones and playing cards.
Cala Homes, which is building its Bassingbourn Reach development in Royston, launched the Cala Community Bursary in Cambridgeshire in February and invited organisations, charities and groups in the area to apply for a share of £12,000 to help fund projects that make a difference in the community.
Touch of Sparkle was chosen as a recipient of the bursary, with money going towards the funding for over 100 care packs.
This year, the Community Bursary scheme has awarded a total of £109,000 to 117 good causes across the UK.
A further 200 causes have previously benefited from the scheme, with over £200,000 awarded to various initiatives since 2017.
Melanie Hersey, organiser at Touch of Sparkle, said: “A huge thank you goes to Cala Homes for this wonderful donation. I rely on the generosity of others and fundraising to continue to make and provide the care packs, and this funding has already made a huge difference to the patients of Addenbrooke's Hospital with our 2,000th care pack recently donated.”
Duncan Jackson, Managing Director at Cala Homes (North Home Counties), said: “We received so many incredible applications from many worthy causes in Cambridgeshire, but the work that Touch of Sparkle does really stood out to us. Many of us have been affected by cancer in some way or another and it is a subject that’s always close to our hearts, therefore we are delighted that we could help with the funding for more care packs and help to put a smile on the faces of the patients.”
Visit Touch of Sparkle's Facebook page for more information.
For further information on Cala Homes, visit www.cala.co.uk.
