The Make A Child Smile Appeal was created by Richard Barker in 2004.
It raised over fifteen thousand pounds for the Children With AIDS Charity.
Richard wanted to reduce the stigma that surrounded HIV.
In Richard’s own words:
- "We’re unable to cure HIV/AIDS; however we still want to stop the virus from spreading.
- We’d also like to reduce the amount of stigma that still surrounds this virus.
- Virtually all of those living with HIV/AIDS conceal their identities, because they don’t want to be verbally or physically abused.
- These children are incredibly courageous! I decided to support this charity, because I was inspired by their stories."
The Make A Child Smile Appeal has been supported by Donald Trump, Bill Gates and J.K. Rowling.
The money raised at its events was used by the Children With AIDS Charity’s Education Department, which is both educating young people and fighting the prejudice that surrounds HIV. Excess funds were directed into the Hardship and Respite Breaks Project.
The Make A Child Smile Appeal distributed thousands of small gifts to children that have been infected and affected by HIV.
Richard has been nominated as Britain's Most Inspiring Fundraiser.
He has also been an Outstanding Young Person finalist in the Thames Gateway Business Awards.
In 2010 The Make A Child Smile Appeal was closed.
Famous quotes containing the words child, smile and/or appeal:
“Once a child has demonstrated his capacity for independent functioning in any area, his lapses into dependent behavior, even though temporary, make the mother feel that she is being taken advantage of....What only yesterday was a description of the child’s stage in life has become an indictment, a judgment.”
—Elaine Heffner (20th century)
“Why do you smile that liverish smile?
Why do you double over in a spaz and a swoon,
gurgling on my past, my grief, my bile?
Am I a joke?
Am I a gas?”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“The beginning of human knowledge is through the senses, and the fiction writer begins where human perception begins. He appeals through the senses, and you cannot appeal to the senses with abstractions.”
—Flannery O’Connor (1925–1964)