rachael's page
I'm running, running and more running for Butterwick Hospice Care because i want to say thankyou, in memory of my son James.
Event: sponsored slim and great north run
£3,020.00 raised of £3,000.00 target
218 donations
My Target:
£3,000.00
£3,020.00 raised so far
How to make a donation
Donate online at - www.justgiving.com/rachael-welby0
By mobile internet Scan this code on your smartphone to go straight to rachael welby's page.
By text message to donate £10 Text £10
to 70070
My story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I have chosen to raise money for Butterwick Hospice this year as they are, and will continue to support myself and my family in the most traumatic time of our lives... losing my precious son James.
James died very peacefully in my arms at home on the 29 May 2012, just days before his 11th birthday.
James went to Butterwick for respite day care 1 day a week and it was planned for it to be there where he would finally lose his battle, but he deteriated very quickly so we didn't have enough time to get him there. He did however lay in rest there for 10 days prior to his funeral service which was the day after his birthday. Butterwick offer myself and my family support both physically and emotionally and also work with Katie, James' little sister, through play and 'messy time' in the craft room. They have also helped us make some very precious keepsakes of James.
For those who don't know James' story... he battled with a massive brain tumour since before he was born. He was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour that had invaded a third of his brain when he was just a baby of 6 months old. Since that day, 20 December 2001, he had to endure 4 long years of chemotherapy and a 6 week course of daily radiotherapy as the tumour kept regrowing after each course of treatment, and had to spend much of his life in hospital or in isolation due to his lack of immune system. The tumour and treatment had left James registered blind and disabled along with a range of what the medical teams called 'complex needs'. Back in September 2010 we were told there were no more options for treatment and with the tumour growing again his condition was terminal.
James was a precious and very popular boy who melted the hearts of everyone he met. There was close to 300 people at his funeral service! He never once complained, even through all of his years of treatment, and was always polite. After each of his traumatic procedures he would say "Thankyou" to all the nurses. He was never naughty. He always had a smile and a giggle. He could recite the alphabet backwards faster than I can say it forwards! He could read and type braille. He was a pleasure. He was clever, he was amazing, and he was funny. He was my son. And now I have a gaping hole where he once was.
We were living with the threat of a time bomb for 10 years, and now that threat is a reality. No-one could see the ticking clock inside his head, and over his last few months day by day I lost a little piece of my son.
My challenges this year include a sponsored slim, the Keswick Half Marathon on 6 May, the Hamsterley Forest 10k on 15 July, the Middlesbrough 10k on 2 September, the Great North Run on 16 September and the Border Reivers Half Marathon at RAF Spadeadam on 24 October 2012.
NB...Unfortunately I have had to pull out of the Keswick Half Marathon due to injury but I intend to take part in an event equivalent to it...watch this space...
For my slim I am challenging myself to lose 2 stones (28 lbs).
Last year you were amazing and helped me raise over a £1000 for 2 other charities that have been close you my heart.
My initial target for this year was £1000, which was smashed, so I doubled it to £2000 which was smashed too! So what can we reach this year? £3000? £4000? more?? I am sure we can!! please, please, PLEASE support me again this year, and in turn support this amazing and most valued charity.
You can also donate by text by texting RACH74 £(1-10) to 70070. How easy is that???
So please dig deep and donate NOW!
ps... if any of you would like to join me in raising money for Butterwick then you are very welcome to join me!! in any of my challenges!!!
Thankyou.
RIP James. good night, sleep tight and shine bright. x
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My updates 10
well that's it folks!!! Border Reivers Half Marathon at RAF Spadeadam DONE! 2 hours 53 mins. 5 mins slower than the GNR but did involve a climb of 600ft so i am happy! and a bonus i didn't come last!! x x x
well I did it!! THE GREAT NORTH RUN in my best time yet. 2hours 48 mins, knocking 10 minutes off my PB. :) THANKYOU EVERY SINGLE 1 OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME. X X
well what a totally smashing, amazing, and awesome lot you are!!! with your support we have raised over £3000 for Butterwick Children's Hospice. i am truly overwhelmed. i am over the moon!!! THANKYOU TO EVERY SINGLE 1 OF YOU!!!! I could not have done it without you!! x x
this is the tribute to James that was int he Gazette. http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2012/09/04/devoted-coulby-newham-mum-raises-cash-for-butterwick-hospice-84229-31762852/
Middlesbrough 10k done! I felt really emotional especially with strangers coming up to me giving me encouragement and also money for my fundraising. 2 weeks to go til Great North Run.. i am so excited!
My charity
Butterwick Hospice Care
Charity Registration No. 1044816
Butterwick Hospice Care offers specialist care to children and adults suffering life limiting illnesses and offers support to their loved ones. Services are all provided free of charge. Butterwick cares for over 1500 patients every year and needs to raise £3.7million. Thank you for your support.
Donations 218
Heard your story about James and it touched my heart. Although you dont know me - I am thinking of you. With love, Lou xx
Donation by Louise Gower on 30/05/12
£5.00
+ £1.25 Gift Aid
Thinking of you with love jenny, trish john and phil
Donation by Jo Gennari's workmates on 30/05/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
With thoughts and love.
Donation by Jenny Lodge on 30/05/12
£10.00
In memory of James and in the hope that other special children and their families will be helped by Butterwick in the future
Donation by anne waller on 30/05/12
£5.00
rachael thinking of you and your family at this very sad time. xxxxx
Donation by kelly waters on 30/05/12
£5.00
Thinking of you and your family at this time x Love sent across the waves x Sweet dreams James x
Donation by samantha goff on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
keep the precious memories of James in your heart.
Donation by sarah fitzgerald on 30/05/12
£5.00
Donation by Amy McWilliams on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Rest in peace James. Love to Rachael, KT and AFB xxxxxxxxx
Donation by Kathryn Bell on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Tonight there is another star in the sky, sleep well brave James. Much love to Rachel and all the family xxx
Donation by Claire Smith on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
In memory of James, may you sing with the angels. xxx
Donation by DEBRA GIBBONS on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Rip beautiful boy xx
Donation by Rachel Lynas on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Rip beautiful boy xxx
Donation by Rachel Lynas on 30/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Much love to you all and real hugs in person at the end of the GNR.. We've got an amazing little angel guide to get us over that line xxxx
Donation by Jo Gennari on 30/05/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
love Mike, Louise, Jack & Abi
Donation by Louise Donaghy on 24/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Have a fantastic day, will be thinking of you all:)) x
Donation by Val Harvey on 20/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
sending lots of love to you all xx
Donation by Debi Deane on 19/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Donation by Anonymous on 11/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Rachel, good luck in all your adventures. We think and pray for James and yourselves often.
Donation by Keith Johnson on 10/05/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Rachel, I hope that you continue to draw strength from the support of your family, friends and the Butterwick xx
Donation by Lynne Powell on 10/05/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck
Donation by Philip Waterson on 25/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Hope you reach your target, your strength amazes me.
Donation by Stephen Cartledge on 25/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Donation by Paul Gordon on 25/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Feel for you all. Nice to know that these guys are here to help you and James. Gilly
Donation by Paul Gilluley on 25/04/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Donation by Anonymous on 25/04/12
£5.00
+ £1.25 Gift Aid
Donation summary
- * Online donations£2,468.00
- Offline donations£232.00
- Text donations£320.00
- Total raised£3,020.00
- Gift Aid£608.50
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