We are now hoping to be going in September 2022 COVID depending 

At Willow we believe in quality of life and quality of time. Willow is the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days. This year we hope to fulfil 1,400 Special Days – a day to anticipate, to share and to remember when happy memories really do count. Sadly for some, it’s a last chance to fulfil a dream with the people that really matter. Thankfully for many more their Special Day is an important opportunity to put much-needed normality back into living.

Lisa was a vibrant young woman. Lisa took a career break to travel Thailand, Australia and New Zealand with her partner. On her return Lisa secured a post teaching children in main stream education, with challenging behaviour. She had plans to marry and start a family. Less than a year after her travels and only 3 months into her new career Lisa became unwell. In January 2006 Lisa was diagnosed with a rare type ovarian cancer. Following a course of chemotherapy scans revealed the cancer had spread. We had already been told if the cancer spread it would be terminal.

Lisa died in May 2007, aged 31, 16 months after first diagnosis.

During this time a hospital a social worker told Lisa about the Willow Foundation.

The Willow was set up by Bob Wilson, ex Arsenal goal keeper and TV presenter and his wife Megs in memory of their daughter Anna, nicknamed Willow, who died aged 31yrs following five years of cancer. Anna always kept events in her diary to look forward to in order to maintain her moral. Anna told Bob and Megs to ‘use what they had learned’ during her illness. So Willow Foundation was born. Willow provide ‘Special Days’ to young adults aged 16yrs - 40 yrs with life limiting illness.

Lisa had a ‘special day’. She and her partner travelled to Edinburgh, to the Military Tattoo. Transport was provided door to door. In Edinburgh they stayed in 5 * accommodation, spending money was provided. Every little detail was attended to. Mobile phone numbers were provided just in case. This gave Lisa something to look forward to,  and provided some normality to what had become of a crazy hospital appointment filled life. 

Lisa vowed to raise money for Willow when she recovered, this was not to be so now we, her family and friends do so in Lisa’s memory. 

Lisa’s brother Mike, Aunty Chris and hopefully Julia her mum are, next September trekking the Great Wall of China, as part of team Willow. 

This will be a memorable adventure and a wonderful tribute to Lisa