Dear Friend

As you know, my dearest husband Fred has left this planet 2.5 years ago and this had been a really difficult time for both me and my son Alexander. I have spent the last 2.5 years working hard to run a company that he has started with his vision. I had make use of each waking hours to make sure that the job is done well and to make him proud wherever he is. Most times I had even forgotten about myself. All I wanted to do is Fred telling me how much he loves me and how proud he is of me. I strive and work hard every day.

Last year 2014 has been challenging, I have launched new products and continue to create value for his company in his memory. I have decided not to spend Christmas and New Year escaping from realty and face the difficult times. Each night when I go out with Floyd (my border terrier) I dread seeing the Xmas decorations, it killed me to think that I will never be able to have a family dinner on Christmas Day ever again with my husband and that I will never be able to put up lights in my front door ever again. However regardless of how difficult it is going to be I decided that it is time not to escape. So I stayed at home and went to volunteer at Trinity Family Centre to help them serve dinners and dessert to the people who are truly in need of a hot meal. This has been a real humbling experience for me and had made me realise just how blessed I am. My grief paled into insignificance in comparison to the people who does not have a home to go to and had to sleep on the streets.

I have therefore decided that 2015 will be a year that I stopped thinking about myself and my grief but try to ensure that every little action of mine goes towards making a little difference to somebody who is in need. I have decided to take up this challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro  (I need lots of training to make me fit so I need lots of blessings). I am doing this to raise some needed money for Little Havens (http://www.havenshospices.org.uk/) At the same time I am doing this in my husband's memory.

So I know my friends, all of us are really blessed with so much. I am trying to raise as much money (my target £4000 - hey guys I know most of my friends are quite well heeled) as I can for the Hospice and be assured that every penny raised will go to the Hospice and none of the pennies from you guys will go towards my trip. I will pay for the trip out of my own pocket as I know I can.

Please give generously and believe me you will be given lots in return. Create your own karma, help others and be blessed.

Rosalind

To mark Children’s Hospice Week we have a new fundraising film which tells Ava’s story and it can be viewed on YouTube here. I would like to share this with you so you can see the wonderful work the care team at Little Havens does and encourage you to share this video so people can understand how their donations to your event help.