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Rebecca’s Wishes is a new charity which I have set up together with family and friends in memory of my daughter Rebecca Fairhead who died of a brain tumour on 17th February 2005. Rebecca was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 7 and after a long and determined battle died when she was 12 at a children’s hospice in Quidenham, Norfolk.
Rebecca faced her illness with enormous courage and was delighted when we told her that we would be setting up a charity in her memory in order to help other children with cancer and their families. She even insisted that the fund was started with her own savings of £250 after she had died. The charity will help children with any form of cancer by providing holidays, special outings, parties, equipment etc., which they may not normally be allowed to have. We as a family were extremely lucky ourselves when generous donations allowed us to take Rebecca to America so that she could live out her special dream of swimming with dolphins. Obviously we will cherish these very special memories forever.
Most of us have a lifetime to create special memories with our children, and then their children, but when cancer strikes it is so important to be able to have those memories created with a short time span. To give these children and their families wonderful days of happiness, to forget that they have cancer, even for a short while is priceless.
We also help families towards funeral costs and cost of headstones. No other charity provides this help and many families have to compromise on their children’s funeral. This is the last thing they can do for their child, and we know how important it is to have things as perfect as possible. It is something you cannot do again and regrets only make it more unbearable.
If you would like to apply for help, we would love to hear from you. We consider any applications made and give you a decision quickly.
We are continuing to raise funds and hope the charity will grow quickly. Also if anyone wishes to raise funds we are always grateful of any help.
We are currently looking for sponsorship of t-shirts, publishing of a children’s book written by Rebecca and also sponsorship for other items of merchandise.
Any help you can give to promote the name of the charity and help us achieve our goal to help as many children as possible, through the tough time of facing this illness would be greatly appreciated.
Claire Cunningham, October 2005 |