Philip Holdcroft

Rowing for Starlight

Fundraising for Starlight UK
£46,489
raised of £10,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge 2021, 4 December 2020
Participants: Phil, Chris, Sonny and Si are united by much more than the wings on their chests and their shared experience of Frontline combat. Fiercely competitive, they want to pour their hearts and souls into this epic challenge and change lives for the better!
Starlight UK

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 296058
We champion play to help seriously ill children

Story

In the summer of 2014, Phil’s daughter, Isla, was diagnosed with Leukaemia at just 22 months old. 

Watching your own flesh and blood walk the tightrope of life and death is more harrowing than anything I’ve experienced on the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan.

"During our darkest hour, it was the support of amazing family, friends, and wonderful charities like Starlight, that gave us the resilience and hope to conquer the seemingly impossible."

"As a father, I felt completely out of control; powerless to help when my youngest daughter needed me most.  Raising money and awareness for charities through endurance challenges provided an opportunity for me to do something useful, and a means for me to connect with Isla, and try and understand the pain, suffering and uncertainty she was facing"

— Phil Holdcroft


Isla is now a thriving beautiful, healthy and happy eight year old.  In 2021 she will be considered cured, after five years in remission.  The team will be marking this magical milestone with this epic rowing adventure, raising money for the incredible Starlight charity, which grants wishes for little heroes like Isla.

At the end of Isla’s gruelling treatment for Leukaemia, Starlight granted Isla’s wish; a wish that would see her meet Santa Claus… in Lapland!  After 2 Christmases spent in hospital, words cannot describe the sheer joy of spending unadulterated precious family moments in a magical place.  The absolute privilege and memories will live with us forever.

— Phil Holdcroft



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About the charity

Starlight UK

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 296058
Starlight is the UK’s leading charity for children’s play in hospitals and hospices. We work to ensure every child can experience the power of play, supporting their mental and physical health during treatment and recovery from illness.

Donation summary

Total raised
£46,488.55
+ £7,556.63 Gift Aid
Online donations
£42,488.55
Offline donations
£4,000.00

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