Young people with life-limiting conditions often spend a lot of their time at hospital appointments and undergoing treatment. We know that the focus at this time can be on the medical condition, and this can make it extremely difficult for them and their families to find the time and energy to arrange special experiences for them all to enjoy together.

The Anna Wilkinson Mockingbird Trust is a charity that was inspired by our youngest daughter Anna, after she tragically died from a brain tumour aged just 16. It’s hard to imagine the intensity of fear, anxiety and stress that the whole family experiences when living through a time like this, and during Anna’s illness we were introduced to organisations that existed solely to support families like ours. Now we would like to help young people and families that may be in a similar situation. Just knowing that someone else understands how you are feeling and wants to help, is support in itself.

The charity aims to arrange trips and events for young people, taking the organisational and financial strain away in the hope of giving some relief from the daily stresses being faced.

The Mockingbird Trust team of cyclists will be completing a 120 mile circular route around Snowdonia over the Easter weekend 2018, to raise funds for the charity. The team consists of cyclists Greg, Karen, Alya (our youngest participant at 12 years old), Yvette, Jess, Ben, Mark and me (Chris, the oldest at far-too-old-for-this yrs old), supported and fed cakes by Jamie, Janine, Emma and Wendy.

Thank you for your donation, we are grateful for your support. If you would like to know more about Anna and the charity then please visit our website at www.theannawilkinsonmockingbirdtrust.co.uk

Yours

The Wilkinson family, the charity trustees and the Mockingbird Trust Cycle Team

Thanks to Richard Newland for his very generous £1250 off-line donation. His message is: "Chris - good luck in the cycle, I am worried about you up those hills!"