This year Mike and Lisa have a team of friends helping them to raise money for London based charity, SLOW. SLOW is run by bereaved parents providing support for bereaved parents and their surviving children. For them, it is a lifeline, giving them the chance to connect and share their experiences with people who understand first hand.

Mike and Lisa were introduced to SLOW after the death of their son Rory. This is their story:

When Rory died suddenly in February 2016, we weren't prepared for the impact it would have on his brothers. Mike will never forget the look on Rory's big brother Barnaby's face when he told him. They were extremely close and Barnaby had only 2 years prior donated his bone marrow in the hope of saving him.

There is very little help out there and the help we needed came in the form of Nic and her amazing team at SLOWsibs. At SLOWsibs we were able to be surrounded by people who knew what we were going through and most importantly Barnaby was able to spend time with other children navigating life without their brother or sister.

Barnaby has taken part in many of the ingenious workshops perfectly planned to allow the children to talk about their siblings, but also create something to remember them by. He has baked foccacia, designed and planted stunning plant pots, created Christmas wreaths, designed memory boxes and much much more - please explore some of the photos attached. SLOWsibs have given him the opportunity to keep the memories of his brother alive, and talk to peers who get it!

This is just one aspect of SLOW's work and your donations will help this wonderful charity continue and expand their hugely impactful projects.

Thank you from us both.

"Grief is the price we pay for love"