Why we are fundraising

We're a group of young people aged between 14 and 25 with life shortening conditions who meet on a Wednesday and one Saturday a month at Mountbatten where we can socialise with our peers and share experiences. Since we have been attending Wednesday Club, we have forged strong and supportive friendships and our parents and siblings have also made friends which is an added bonus.

Wednesday Club have been discussing our next project and we have decided that we would like to all go away on a cruise together before we become too ill to enjoy the experience. There will be approximately 6 young people invited on the cruise. The cruise is expensive because medical equipment such as dialysis machines and trained staff are required to meet our severe and complex needs. We would like to invite other patients who are in similar situations and are facing the end of their lives in the not too distant future and we'd like to share in this once in a life time experience. In order to achieve this goal, our group will need to plan to raise approximately £15,000 and we were wondering if you would be able to contribute to this fundraising initiative.

Any donation, large or small would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking time to read our story and our goal to fundraise.

From all at the Wednesday Club

Patient Stories

Charles Story

Hi my name is Charles, I am 21 years old and I have a heart and lung condition. I love to do photography and art and since coming to the Mountbatten Centre this has enabled me to follow these hobbies. It helps me to be calm inside and out whilst i am waiting for heart surgery. The friends i have made since coming to the centre have made coping easier. Each day I feel weaker so I want to enjoy the time I have got left and use all my strength to have fun. This cruise means a lot to us so we would be grateful if you are able to help us.

Kate's Story

Hello, My name is Katie. I am 20 years old and suffer from a progressive nervous system disease. Up until I was 8 years old I appeared to be completely healthy. Since then I have lost many physical abilities and now spend all my time in a wheelchair. As my condition progresses I will lose my ability to see, hear, talk, swallow and use my hands. My intelligence will however stay intact. I hope you can help us to fund this cruise which will help me enjoy life whilst I am still able to do so.

Laura's Story

Hi I'm Laura, I have the same progressive nervous system condition as my sister, Katie, only mine is more advanced. Although mine is more advanced, i live independently in my own flat and am supported with a 24 hour care. I have also recently been learning how to use my own eye-gaze, which will give me more independence in accessing social media and also for communication when I'm misunderstood. Even though my physical abilities are fading, my intelligence is not affected.

Brendan's Story

Hello, my name is Brendan Newman. I am an 18 year old college student studying health and social care. Every day of my life is constant pain due to a muscle wasting disease and a progressive illness that runs in my family. I have an electric wheelchair to help me get around and no matter where i go, I have to use at least one crutch. As I progress through my problems i may have to spend my life in a wheelchair. Before that happens i would like to do something fun, that i've not done before. The group i am apart of are like a family and i can see the challenges they also face. We face our challenges daily with barely a break from pain and I believe a holiday together would help us through these difficulties. This cruise will give us the break we need where we can have fun together and hopefully forget our issues for awhile. Please, help us to go on this cruise. Thank you for taking time to read this, have a nice day.

Lewis' Story

Hello, my name is Lewis. I am a 20 year old and suffer from a kidney condition. I was diagnosed with this condition when I was 8 years old, I appeared completely normal before that. I've had a kidney transplant that has failed, now I am on dialysis 3 times a week which takes up most of my time. If you could help us raise money to fund this cruise it will help all the group enjoy life while we can.