Turning a Birthday Stream into Support for Survivors: Blessie Raises Over £400 for BSARCS
When Blessie returned to streaming on Twitch during her birthday week, she had a goal in mind: to raise awareness and funds for BSARCS, a charity that has supported her through some of the most challenging periods of her life.
What started as a fundraising target of £100 quickly grew into something much bigger. By the end of the week, Blessie had raised an incredible £402.69 for BSARCS through a combination of live streams, community support, and a JustGiving campaign.
Returning to Streaming for a Cause
Blessie had previously stepped away from streaming due to the impact of complex mental health difficulties linked to childhood trauma. Returning to Twitch was a significant step, and choosing to use her platform to support BSARCS made the experience even more meaningful.
Over the course of a week, Blessie streamed a variety of games, including Minecraft and Heavy Rain, while encouraging viewers to learn more about BSARCS and donate if they could. In the weeks leading up to the fundraiser, she promoted the campaign across her channels, created graphics using resources from the BSARCS website, and sought advice from others who had previously organised charity fundraising streams.
The fundraiser was also inspired by Blessie’s involvement in The Community of Kindness, a group dedicated to carrying out acts of kindness and encouraging others to pay them forward.
“For me, this was a perfect opportunity to not only do a kind act but pay it forward at the same time,” she says.
By combining her love of streaming with a cause close to her heart, Blessie was able to raise awareness of BSARCS’ work while bringing together a supportive community around a shared goal.
The Difference BSARCS Has Made
BSARCS has supported Blessie in several ways over the years. Initially, the charity helped her navigate a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claim, providing guidance and support throughout the process.
More recently, BSARCS helped her access Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Although she later transitioned to NHS services due to the complexity of her mental health needs, BSARCS played a vital role in helping her begin that journey.
Blessie also currently receives support from an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA), who is helping her through an ongoing court case.
Reflecting on the support available today, Blessie highlights how important specialist services are for survivors of all ages.
“When I was a child, there wasn’t the specific support available that there is now. BSARCS supports children and adults, and the work they do is huge.”
More Than Fundraising
Throughout the streams, Blessie’s focus wasn’t only on raising money. She wanted to help people understand the breadth of support that BSARCS provides, from reporting to court support through ISVA services, to specialist therapeutic interventions that help survivors heal from trauma.
BSARCS is the only specialist charity in Barnsley supporting both adults and children who have experienced sexual harm. Every year, the charity supports more than 1,500 individuals, providing practical, emotional, and therapeutic support to those who need it most.
A Community Effort
One of the most rewarding aspects of the fundraiser was seeing the community come together around a cause that mattered.
Although the original target was £100, donations continued to grow throughout the week, eventually reaching £402.69. The final 69 pence held a special significance for both Blessie and the wider community supporting the fundraiser.
As the total edged closer to its final amount, supporters agreed that ending on 69 pence carried a meaningful message: that sex should be associated with enjoyment, consent, and positive experiences—not trauma. What began as a light-hearted observation became a shared sentiment among those taking part in the fundraiser, reflecting a collective hope for a future where survivors are defined by their healing and recovery rather than the harm they have experienced.
The fundraiser reflected the spirit of paying kindness forward, with friends, viewers, and supporters coming together to help make a difference for survivors accessing BSARCS services.
The total raised will help BSARCS continue providing vital services to survivors across Barnsley and the surrounding areas.
Looking Ahead
After such a successful first fundraiser, Blessie is already thinking about the future.
“I’d love to do it again,” she says. “Maybe next time we’ll do some challenges.”
With a supportive network behind her and a community willing to get involved, there’s every chance that future fundraising events will be just as successful.
For Blessie, the fundraiser was about more than reaching a financial target. It was an opportunity to give back to a service that has supported her recovery, raise awareness of the help available to survivors, and show what can happen when a community comes together to make a difference.
Thank You from BSARCS
Everyone at BSARCS would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Blessie and everyone who supported this fundraiser.
Whether you donated, shared the campaign, joined a stream, or helped spread awareness of our work, your support will make a real difference to survivors across Barnsley and the surrounding areas.
Fundraising initiatives like this help us continue providing specialist support to adults, children, and young people affected by sexual violence and abuse. Every contribution helps us ensure that survivors can access the practical, emotional, and therapeutic support they need on their journey towards recovery.
We are incredibly grateful to Blessie for choosing to support BSARCS during her birthday week and for using her platform to raise awareness of the services we provide. Raising £402.69 is a fantastic achievement, and we are proud to have been part of her journey.
Thank you for helping us support survivors, promote healing, and create hope for the future.
