Christine Bentham, originally from Warrington and now living in Llandudno, founded ‘JUMP Children’s Charity’, which has provided professional photography services for over 1,000 families of children with life-limiting health conditions to help build memories and prepare for bereavement.
Christine set up ‘JUMP’ as a legacy to her grandson, Jacob, who passed away in 2004 following a life-limiting health condition. The photographs and video that the family had of Jacob, became an everlasting tribute and Christine wanted to help other families capture those memories.
The charity also runs a social community support network and runs themed ‘Memory Days’, where relatives can come together to enjoy activities and support each other. Christine hopes to be able to build on additional bereavement support for parents and siblings, including access to counselling.
On Friday, Christine met with Robin who took the opportunity to thank Christine for the help that she has given to so many families, to present her with a certificate on the Prime Minister’s behalf and to learn more about ‘JUMP’S’ work across North Wales and the North West of England.
Following the meeting, Robin said:
“It was a privilege to meet with Christine today, to present her with a Prime Minister’s Points of Light award and to learn more about the work of the ‘JUMP Children’s Charity. I’m constantly impressed how people turn the challenges they have faced into creative, effective and valuable support for others.
“In founding the charity, Christine has helped to bring comfort to so many families across North Wales and throughout the North West of England who have cared for a child with a terminal illness. The charity’s work in helping families to build memories and to prepare for bereavement is as heart warming as it is inspirational.
“I’d like to say, once again, thank you Christine for everything that you have done in supporting families who have gone through the most difficult of times.”
Christine said:
“I feel humbled and honoured to be recognised in this way. The work of the ‘JUMP’ charity is only possible through the work of a truly inspirational team and hugely dedicated volunteers and this reward is a recognition of everything that they do to make a difference in communities throughout North Wales and the North West of England.
“The real reward comes from the pleasure we see on children’s faces at the events we organise – and the memories and milestones we help families capture from their precious time with their child.
“It was a pleasure to meet with Robin today to be presented with the certificate and to discuss the work of the charity in supporting families during their most difficult times. It is great to know that this work is recognised by the Government and is understood by Robin. Robin’s commitment to strengthening communities and recognition of the importance of the charity is clear.”
You can learn more about the ‘JUMP Children’s Charity’ by visiting: https://www.jumpchildrenscharity.co.uk
AS Aberconwy yn cyflwyno gwobr ‘Points of Light’ y Prif Weinidog i un o drigolion Llandudno
Sefydlwyd elusen plant ‘JUMP’ gan Christine Bentham, sy’n wreiddiol o Warrington ond bellach yn byw yn Llandudno. Mae’r elusen wedi darparu gwasanaethau ffotograffiaeth proffesiynol i dros 1,000 o deuluoedd â phlant sy’n dioddef o gyflyrau sy’n cyfyngu ar fywyd, er mwyn helpu i greu atgofion a’u paratoi ar gyfer profedigaeth.
Sefydlodd Christine ‘JUMP’ fel gwaddol i’w hŵyr, Jacob, a fu farw yn 2004 yn dilyn cyflwr iechyd a gyfyngodd ar ei fywyd. Daeth y ffotograffau a’r fideo o Jacob oedd gan y teulu yn deyrnged fythol ac roedd Christine eisiau helpu teuluoedd eraill i gofnodi’r atgofion gwerthfawr hynny.
Mae’r elusen hefyd yn rhedeg rhwydwaith cymdeithasol sy’n cefnogi cymunedau ac yn cynnal ‘Diwrnodau i Gofio’ thematig, lle mae perthnasau yn dod ynghŷd i fwynhau gweithgareddau ac i gefnogi ei gilydd. Mae Christine yn gobeithio gallu adeiladu cefnogaeth profedigaeth ychwanegol i rieni a brodyr a chwiorydd, gan gynnwys mynediad at gwnsela.
Ddydd Gwener, cyfarfu Christine â Robin, a achubodd ar y cyfle i ddiolch i Christine am y cymorth y mae wedi’i roi i gymaint o deuluoedd, i gyflwyno tystysgrif iddi ar ran y Prif Weinidog ac i ddysgu mwy am waith ‘JUMP’ ar draws Gogledd Cymru a Gogledd Orllewin Lloegr.
Ar ôl y cyfarfod, dywedodd Robin:
“Pleser oedd cyfarfod Christine heddiw, i gyflwyno gwobr ‘Points of Light’ y Prif Weinidog iddi ac i ddysgu mwy am waith elusen plant ‘JUMP’. Mae’r ffordd y mae pobl yn troi’r heriau y maent wedi’u hwynebu yn gymorth creadigol, effeithiol a gwerthfawr i eraill yn creu argraff arnaf yn gyson.
“Wrth sefydlu’r elusen, mae Christine wedi helpu i ddod â chysur i gymaint o deuluoedd ar draws Gogledd Cymru a Gogledd Orllewin Lloegr sydd wedi gofalu am blentyn â salwch terfynol. Mae’r gwaith mae’r elusen yn ei wneud i helpu teuluoedd i greu atgofion ac i baratoi ar gyfer profedigaeth yn galonogol ac yn ysbrydoliaeth.
“Hoffwn ddiolch unwaith eto i Christine am bopeth rydych chi wedi’i wneud i gefnogi teuluoedd sydd wedi mynd drwy’r cyfnod anoddaf.”
Dywedodd Christine:
“Rwy’n teimlo’n ffodus ac yn falch iawn o gael fy nghydnabod fel hyn. Dim ond drwy waith tîm gwirioneddol ysbrydoledig a gwirfoddolwyr hynod ymroddedig y mae gwaith yr elusen ‘JUMP’ yn bodoli, ac mae’r wobr hon yn cydnabod popeth a wnânt i wneud gwahaniaeth mewn cymunedau ar draws Gogledd Cymru a Gogledd Orllewin Lloegr.
“Mae’r wobr go iawn yn deillio o’r pleser rydyn ni’n ei weld ar wynebau plant yn y digwyddiadau rydyn ni’n eu trefnu - a’r atgofion a’r cerrig milltir rydyn ni’n helpu teuluoedd i’w cofnodi o’u hamser gwerthfawr gyda’u plentyn.
“Roedd yn bleser cwrdd â Robin heddiw i dderbyn y dystysgrif a thrafod gwaith yr elusen yn cefnogi teuluoedd yn ystod eu cyfnod anoddaf. Mae’n wych gwybod bod y gwaith hwn yn cael ei gydnabod gan y Llywodraeth a bod yn Robin yn ei ddeall. Mae ymrwymiad Robin i gryfhau cymunedau a chydnabod pwysigrwydd yr elusen yn glir.”
Gallwch ddysgu mwy am elusen plant ‘JUMP’ drwy fynd i: https://www.jumpchildrenscharity.co.uk