UPDATE: Due to Covid messing up our lives/plans, in OCTOBER 2021 I'm going to run my first ever marathon (London 2021!) with Daisy's Dream! Thank you so much for all of your donations already, and I can't wait to actually run this marathon next year. I'm hoping that the extra year will give me even more time to raise as much as possible for this amazing charity. 

Daisy's Dream is an incredible community based charity which supports children, young people and their families following, or facing, bereavement in the Berkshire area. 

The charity has been an extraordinary support to my cousin, Sarah, and her four girls (Poppy, Annabelle, Holly and Georgie, aged 6-13 years) as well as the wider family after Sarah's husband, Paul, very sadly died in May 2017 from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The family got in touch with Daisy's Dream in the lead up to Paul's death, and they continue to access the service to this day. 

Their support takes on a variety of forms, such as over the phone advice for parents, teachers and other professionals; 1:1 support for children and young people; and groups for children, young people and their parents. The support work is provided by a small team of 15 staff who help approximately 750 families across Berkshire and the surrounding areas each year. This is provided to families completely free of charge, however the service is not statutory funded and therefore relies on donations and fundraising to keep running - which is where you guys come in! 

My passion for this cause is two-fold. Firstly, as a member of the extended family who has observed the four girls deal with their grief following the loss of their amazing dad. Secondly, as a psychologist who has provided counselling to children and young people experiencing serious illness and bereavement in their families. Support services like Daisy's Dream are so special and invaluable because they provide a safe space for children to express and explore their thoughts and feelings pre- and post-bereavement, support and advise parents and other family members, and give children and their families the opportunity to meet others with similar experiences. 

I feel very honoured to be able to take on this incredible (and nerve-wracking!!) challenge to fundraise for such an amazing and important charity, and would appreciate any support you could provide (however big or small) to help!

The page donations will be sent direct to the charity in a fast and secure way. Its efficient, saves time and cuts costs for the charity. 

Thank you so much in advance!!

Rosie xx