SPECIAL memory books and films created for the families of terminally ill children have earned JUMP Children's Charity a prestigious award.

An Inclusion Award was present to the Great Sankey-based charity at this year's Cheshire Community Foundation (CCF) Awards for Excellence.

JUMP works across the region, with strong links at hospices and hospitals across Cheshire, including Claire House Children’s Hospice, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

A CCF grant of £12,350 was recently used to offer parents of children with life-limiting illnesses the chance for a professional photographer to capture their special moments in personal memory books and films.

Zoe Sheppard, CEO of CCF, said: "JUMP is a fantastic example of how a charity, working with the help of CCF, can make a real difference to children’s lives – and to their families.

"The inclusive nature of JUMP’s work is outstanding.

"Children have been able to carve out what their memory session will look like, giving each child great opportunity to express themselves.

"Siblings can often lose out on living life as a typical child when their brother or sister is very poorly, or because they have very specific needs that often exclude them from everyday activities.

"But brothers and sisters in this project are actively involved in the production of the memory books."

CCF connects people who want to give back with the most effective grass-roots charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Zoe added: "Our annual awards are a highlight in the calendar and a chance for us to thank our charities and donors.

"We take managing our donors’ money extremely seriously and we know what a huge difference it makes to thousands of people.

"I’m proud that we have supported more than 153,000 people across the region over the past 12 months.

"In this time, we have also given out more than £1 million of grants, which is a 40 per cent increase."