Heather’s Happiness!

Our beautiful babe, Heather, was unexpectedly taken away from us on 17th September 2019. In these dark days, our family and friends are rallying together to do something positive in Heather’s memory.

For 28 years, Heather brought happiness and laughter to anyone she met. She always wanted to make the world a better and happier place. Carrying on Heather’s legacy, we will be completing 28 challenges for 28 different charities taking those little positive steps to helping those who need it. With Heather’s determination inside of us, we aim to raise as much money as possible to make the world a better place.

Challenge number 1 (13/10/2019)

Heather’s Happy Half (the Manchester Half Marathon)

There is no better place to start than back on home turf with family and friends.

Our first charity is the Lucie Blackman Trust supporting British victims overseas and their families since the year 2000. The Lucie Blackman Trust can offer advice, logistical support, repatriation assistance, problem solving, fundraising support and much more to victims of any serious crime overseas.

https://www.lbtrust.org/testimonials

Challenge number 2 (27/10/2019)

Dutch day cycle to Dam complete with tulips and clogs.

We'll be cycling a relay distance of 683.3km (Warrington to Amsterdam) on an exercise bike in 1 day.

Our second charity is Re-engage. Re-engage tackle social isolation among older people through regular tea parties and aim to create a wider range of social activities to support people over the age of 75. The charity has almost 900 groups in the UK that put on regular gatherings for more than 6,600 people.

https://www.reengage.org.uk/

Challenge number 3 (10/11/2019)

The Bloody Long Walk (35km)

Tom and I will be walking from our home in Sydney around the coast to the Sydney Opera House - past many sites we wanted to show Heather on her Australia trip. We also have beautiful people walking across London and along the Transpennine.

The official charity for the Bloody Long Walk is the Mito Foundation (https://www.mito.org.au/). Our UK equivalent is The Lily Foundation (https://www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk/). Both charities are committed to finding a cure for mitochondrial disease, through funding research, raising awareness and offering family support. We will split the donations for this challenge between the two charities.

Challenge number 4 (28/11/2019)

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (19.5km mountain trek)

Tom and I will be completing the trek across volcanic terrain along Mount Tongariro and passing the eastern base of Mount Ngauruhoe in New Zealand.

The money raised for this challenge will be donated to the NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers (https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/) who are at the frontline of efforts to contain the bush fires that are burning across the state we currently call home. Approximately 1.65 million hectares have been razed, which has destroyed over 600 homes and vast areas of habitat for animals such as koalas and kangaroos. Despite recent rainfall, the volunteers continue to battle bush fires across the state as well as undertake their other responsibilities.

Challenge number 5 (12/12/2019)

A Cracking Christmas Collection.

My sis and I loved Christmas and getting into the festive spirit with friends and family. We were incredibly lucky to indulge in very happy Christmases with great food, drink, games and gifts.

For this challenge, we aim to donate at least 28 gifts to charities supporting underprivileged children, so that less fortunate children can enjoy a new toy, book, or game on Christmas Day.

In Sydney, I will be delivering the presents to the Smith Family charity (https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/donate/give/toy-and-book-appeal). I'll also be assisting them with their stock take and packing up the workshop on Monday 16th December.

Friends and family around the world will be donating to other local charities. Anyone who wishes to donate on behalf of Heather's Happiness, please send us a selfie with you and your gift, so you can be a part of our photo montages.

In addition to donations, we hope our challenges also raise awareness for our chosen charities. Stay tuned for future challenges.

Thank you in advance for your support.