Cousin's care inspires charity fundraiser

A Banbridge woman is holding a family fun day in aid of Northern Ireland Children's Hospice as the charity cares for cousin.
Christopher Dawkins is calling on all members of the local community to attend his cousin Charlottes family fun day in Laurencetown Community Centre on Saturday 9th April for NI Childrens Hospice.Christopher Dawkins is calling on all members of the local community to attend his cousin Charlottes family fun day in Laurencetown Community Centre on Saturday 9th April for NI Childrens Hospice.
Christopher Dawkins is calling on all members of the local community to attend his cousin Charlottes family fun day in Laurencetown Community Centre on Saturday 9th April for NI Childrens Hospice.

Charlotte Reat is hosting the event at Laurencetown Community Centre on Saturday 9th April to help raise funds for the charity who look after Christopher Dawkins.

Taking place from 2pm to 4pm this fundraising event will feature lots of activities such as bouncy castles, face painting, dance classes, mini disco, a buffet, raffles and food stalls.

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Combined with special appearances from Minnie and Micky and Doc. McStuffins this event is not to be missed.

Entry is free with all donations gratefully accepted for NI Children’s Hospice.

“I am so excited to be organising this event for the Children’s Hospice,” Charlotte said.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in organising this family fun day and warmly invite everyone to come along and support this worthwhile charity.”

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Charlotte’s cousin Christopher was born with a condition called Holoprosencephaly (HPE), a brain malformation that affects the child’s compatibility with life.

Christopher, now almost 15, was only given a three pre cent chance that he would live past six months.

Christopher’s Mum said: “The last four years has been really difficult for Christopher. A lot of his body has started shutting down at times and he also underwent major life-threatening surgery last August to make his life more comfortable.

“The Children’s Hospice is a blessing for life-limited children and their families; it really is a home away from home. I can relax knowing Christopher is being well looked after and in an environment where he can enjoy himself and have fun like any other child his age.

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“It costs £3million per year to run the Children’s Hospice so I ask that you all please support Charlotte’s event and give what you can to help families like ours get the respite they need.”

Jenay Doyle, Community Fundraiser for NI Children’s Hospice said: “I would like to thank Charlotte for organising this event and wish her every success as she raises funds for our charity.

“We really appreciate the support we receive from the local community and people like Charlotte who give so generously to allow us to continue providing specialist nursing care to children like Christopher and their families.”

Established in 1996, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice is the only dedicated palliative care service in the province and the only organisation that can offer high level support to life limited children with very complex needs who require 24 hour specialist care.

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Every year, NI Children’s Hospice cares for around 300 life limited children and young people, and their families, living across Northern Ireland who need care that only the Children’s Hospice can provide.

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