It was with great sadness that on 21 August 2012, someone I know lost their beautiful little boy Reuben aged just 23 months to an agressive brain tumour.
This sad story started with Reuben falling ill whilst on holiday. For what should have been a relatively normal scenario, very quickly turned into every parents worst nightmare. Within 24 hours, after a CT scan, Reuben was air lifted to Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital for further treatment for a brain tumour the size of a satsuma on his brain.
Despite an operation to relieve pressure, Reuben suffered multiple organ failure and was put on a life support machine. A week later, sadly Nicola Graham and her husband Mike had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn the machine off. Reuben then passed away with the promise that something would be done in his name for ever.
Within days, Reubens Retreat was up and running with the intent of raising money to help support families who are in the same position as Reubens family. The goal is to create a facility in the countryside that offers self catering accomodation and activities for families who are also having to deal with a child suffering from a life threatening or limiting illness. Money will also be used to help support other families experiencing the same by providing counselling and support. Such an amazing, emotional response was given by not only friends and family but people worldwide who had heard about this heartbreaking tale and with the sight of raising 5k by Halloween to be able to register officially as a charity, it seemed like it was going to be achieved. However…. due to an absolutely AMAZING response, the last time I looked they were on 70k and still going! It isn’t even Halloween yet?! Everyone has been helping to raise money, including a sausage called the ‘Reuben Sausage’ with donations from sales being made to the charity, cakes with the Reubens Retreat logo (as shown above) on the icing, people being sponsored for runs and shows to name only a few. To think that in such a short space, the passion and commitment from everyone has been incredible and is showing no signs of slowing down!
Having wished I could help in some way I have decided to organise for trolley coins and rubber wristbands with Reubens Retreat on them to help raise awareness. I am currently having them designed before being made up. Trolley coins and rubber wristbands are fantastic ways of keeping that little reminder with you of such a beautiful little boy and it is also a great conversation topic to help spread the word, most of it it will let everyone know you are a proud supporter. I will be selling these at my Christmas craft shows as well as on my website and FB page with all profits going straight to Reubens Retreat
Let’s all join in to get this charity bigger. It deserves every single bit of recognition, and every penny really counts. If you wish to make a donation until I am able to sell the coins or wristbands or follow this wonderful cause please see links below.
FB page – facebook.com/ReubensRetreat
Donations to localgiving.com/charity/reu...
Website facebook.com/ReubensRetreat
Many Thanks
Catherine x
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