Over a year ago, I was walking with Martin Edwards, CEO of Julia’s House, when I suggested he take on 20 challenges to celebrate his 20 years of dedicated service. He loved the idea and asked 20 people to take on a fundraising challenge, with Martin joining in on every single one. Each challenge to mark this incredible milestone, raise vital funds, and of course, have some fun along the way!

Naturally, I wanted to be part of it, especially after everything Julia’s House has done for me and my family. And now here we are—Martin, me, and the amazing team from Jane James—preparing to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower. This might just be the scariest challenge yet!

Being able to give back and support other children and families going through experiences like ours means the world to me. I will forever continue to help and support Julia’s house —as a proud sibling and one of their young ambassadors. I’m sure my mum and Gabrielle are watching and thinking I’m a bit crazy, but I hope they’re proud of me.

If you can, please support by sharing and donating to my JustGiving page and please read Martins story below!

lots of love

A very scared Diana x

MARTIN:

Still here 20 years later!

In this, my 20th anniversary year as CEO of Julia’s House, I will attempt 20 fundraising challenges.

20 years ago, the charity had just two nurses. There are now 47, caring for seriously ill children. We provide respite and end of life care, and support families in bereavement, but the financial pressure on our hospice is now more acute than at any time in the last 20 years.

After one child passed away, her sister had an idea: that I invite 20 people to nominate a fundraising challenge, they do their one with me, I do all 20.

So the ‘20/20 Challenge’ was born...

The challengers include an MP, a pop star, a premier league football manager and local entrepreneurs. Each aims to raise £5,000. The target overall is £100,000.

Starting this summer, the challenges include abseiling down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, a 60km ultra-run in the Lake District, a skydive, an armed-services designed fitness challenge, and getting a charity-themed tattoo.

It will be really tough - but not as tough as the challenges the children and families face every day: frequent medical emergencies, round the clock care, and all the pressure on family life this creates.

Please sponsor me and help preserve care for the children now and in future.

How Julia's House helped me and my family:

My Mum's life revolved around the love and care for Gabrielle, from the moment she woke up to when she went to bed. When a child is seriously ill you just don’t get breaks. All your focus is on keeping them safe and alive.

Julia’s House enabled Mum to get a break. Leaving Gabrielle with people we trusted made our time away less of a worry, because she was safe and would have the best time. She would take part in many activities there, enjoying messy play, the sensory room and even baking.

It meant me and my middle sister Carly could have time with Mum and enjoy days out. Carly and I took part in many sibling trips too: days out and weekends away with other siblings in the same position. These trips created amazing friendships and gave me back my childhood.

After Gabrielle passed at aged 15, Julia's House let us use their mermaid suite. A beautiful room with access to a small garden for us to spend our final days with my little sister. They also helped SO much with her funeral.

The following year Mum, Carly and I went to our first remembrance day at the hospice. We shared a lovely afternoon with families who had also lost a loved one. Little did we know that was the last day we would share with our Mum. She had given everything. That weekend she grew her wings and was reunited with my sister Gabrielle.

Julia's House have been like family. From all their help and support we've been able to create memories that will last a lifetime and get through our darkest days.