Well, this year the fundraising efforts have accumulated in an amazing result for Ben’s Epic Journey, despite all that we have been through as a collective. The incredible kindness and generosity of you all, has overwhelmed us.
We decided for our third year of fundraising to go for Lego boxes for the children in the three hospitals where Ben was treated, largely due to the continuing restrictions within hospitals and the need for gifts that could be easily wiped down before being given to patients.
We managed to raise just shy of £4,000 which we were thrilled to achieve under still such extraordinary circumstances. The generosity of friends, family and the wider community, means that we have been able to deliver over 70 boxes to the children staying in hospital at Christmas for our third season of trying to make a difference to the lives of these children and their families in our son’s name.
When we set up the fundraiser this time, I decided that we needed to really earn the funds this year, so in September, I walked the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne (100 miles) with a dear friend of mine. This kicked off the fundraising wonderfully and later in December, James put together an online auction, which raised £780. We were so impressed with the end result when we reached such a great total over all.
We delivered the Lego to Southampton first this year, then Portsmouth and lastly, to Bristol (The Grand Appeal Charity) on Christmas Eve for them to take to the Starlight Ward.
Once again, we found the whole experience brought the excitement of Christmas that has been felt in our household and yours, to the forefront, with us getting so much out of giving to these children. Having had the experience of sitting on a ward for six months, watching our child go through chemotherapy and the effect it had on our son and daughters, plus seeing so many other families in the same boat, this part of our year has become a fundamental cog in the wheel of our lives in the lead up to Christmas and is something we hope to build on in the years to come.
The feeling of mixed emotions standing outside the hospitals, as we smile each year, knowing we’re in a blessed position to be bringing such joy to those who might really need it, coupled with the immense love and sadness we also felt in our hearts, knowing that Ben isn’t physically with us, brought many tears and very philosophical conversations that day and we were so happy to be able to be travelling together, James and I, for the Bristol trip.
Over Christmas, our third one without Ben, we found this to be blessed with moments of laughter and gentleness amid the quiet tears in his absence. Our girls are growing up so fast and it still feels very surreal without Ben in the lead up to what our children have always found to be a special time of year. It was lovely to see them opening their gifts and enjoying time to relax over the Christmas break and we know Christmas is different now, but we try our best to still make it special for the sake of our girls.
In 2018, Ben was home just before Christmas Eve and our last Christmas was understated and one we were just so grateful to have, thanks to the efforts of the doctors and nurses and the miracle we received, which was an unrelated donor for Ben, earlier that year. We didn’t know it would be our last together, but looking back, it was just magical. We hope to continue to add some of the sparkle that abounded when the three of them were all together, as the girls get older and find their own path in life.
In the last year, we have created a video for DKMS for their Because of Ben campaign and continue to raise awareness for the need for stem cell donors. I had the great privilege of meeting some of the team and speaking to staff in December 2021 about our families story, which was an honour.
The video we created can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnAySiLRXlA
This year, 2022, we hope to create the Ben’s Epic Journey charity, whilst continuing to make the need for stem cell donors, a priority, changing the narrative to something that becomes a natural conversation within families as part of growing up and being a compassionate and wonderful human being.
Thank you so, so much for your continued love and support and we will be in touch with more news very soon.
Wishing you all a magical, safe, happy and healthy New Year, full of gentleness, fun and hopeful adventures xxx
