Harry’s Pals at FIT Show: Engaging with the Glazing Community

Hayley Charlesworth, Founder of PiGs’ Charity of the Year, Harry’s Pals, discusses attending the FIT Show for the very first time.

It was a pleasure to be invited to The FIT Show by the PiGs team last week as Founder of charity Harry’s Pals to talk with members of the window industry about Harry’s Pals and the fantastic events that Sarah and her team have lined up to support us with over the next two years.

For those that I didn’t get round, our small charity works to bridge a huge gap in emotional support vastly impacting parents and carers across the country who have received the heart-breaking and life-changing news that their child has a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. PiGs ‘STY Master’, Sarah Ball, found out about the charity via my husband Andrew Charlesworth of Kommerling and instantly felt drawn to support the cause.

A ‘big industry’

On the Wednesday I made my way to Birmingham NEC for what was the biggest exhibition I have ever attended; I had no appreciation of just how big the industry is. I was really impressed with the stands, displays and information available.

It was a great insight to the world of windows, and a far larger one than I had anticipated. What really struck a cord with me though was how welcoming and friendly the delegates and exhibitors were, each keen to learn about Harry’s Pals and the services that we provide. Many of them even asking how they can help.

I would like to say a thank you to everyone that I had the opportunity to talk to and to encourage as many people as possible to take on a PiGs challenge for Harry’s Pals so that we can support more families across the country facing every parents worst nightmare.

Every pound and pence that the window industry raise for Harry’s Pals will allow for us to support more families with bespoke counselling and therapy services, short breaks, and peer support group meet ups. Services that keep families together and protect the health and wellbeing of parents going above and beyond what they ever thought they would go through with their child.

To find out more about Harry’s Pals, visit: Harry’s Pals – Emotional support for parents following a diagnosis