Hi, as you might be aware, I enjoy setting myself a challenge each year, while raising money for The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. I had actually decided not to do anything mad this year, but then lockdown 3.0 happened and last week I bought myself a rowing machine. So I have decided that on St.Patricks day, I will row the English Channel. It's not far, only a mere 34,000 meters! I will do most of it alone and then Thomas and Henry will take over at the end to finish this massive row. I have exactly 30 days to train for this and I would like to thank Ben Furley from the Junior GB team for all his advice and help.

The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is very close to my heart as they have been supporting our family now for several years. Henry was born with a rare condition that means he has kidney and bladder damage and will need a kidney transplant in the not too distant future. We have a wonderful family support worker called Nicki who has become a valued person in our lives and we are grateful every day that she can support us all. Even in these difficult times during the pandemic, Nicki has been a constant support whether it be by video calls or face to face meetings, when rules allow. 

For us, one of the things we have found most helpful is the support offered to Thomas as a sibling of a sick child. In 2019 Rainbow Trust gave over 5,157 hours of sibling support and held 88 family and sibling days to bring families in similar situations together to create new friendships and support networks. Per child, a sibling day costs the charity £212. 

So this year I am not setting a target, but with your help I would like to be able to fund lots of these days, not only for Thomas, but the 1,230 siblings Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers support each year. 

So from Thomas and all the brothers and sisters supported by Rainbow Trust, now and in the future,

Thank you and much love.

Godfrey