Whilst we are all planning our celebrations there will be some amongst us who are facing hardships of all kinds from loneliness to serious illness. Throughout this year we have tried to bring you programmes from organisations who are out there doing their bit to make your world better.
Whilst not wanting to spoil the festive mood, we have received this e-mail which we found particularly poignant at Christmas. Please read the message and perhaps decide to do something to help. Here is the mail:
My Oli was a healthy happy child, with a huge appetite and mischievous smile. He was 14 years
old when we were told he had cancer of the bone. Just before Christmas 2008 we were told
his cancer was too advanced and nothing more could be done for him. It felt like our world had
ended.
In the midst of the pain and tears, we were referred to Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. Oli and
I spent his last 18 months in and out of hospital. Carol, our Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker
slotted into our support network effortlessly. But instead of administering medicine, she visited us in
hospital, listened to Oli and I, and helped with the everyday practical things that took time away
from me enjoying my last months with my son.

Oli could speak to her about things he knew would upset me too much. His fear of dying, or
what would happen to me when he was gone. I spoke to her about how much I loved him,
and how scared I was of a life without him.

Without Carol and her support, I don’t know how Oli and I would have coped in his last months.
Please consider donating to Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity this Christmas, and helping
families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness cope with the reality
that this Christmas might be their child’s last.

A gift of £10 could give a worried family urgent support from a Family Support Worker. The care
they offer is individual to each family, whether it’s practical support - helping parents to attend
hospital appointments, or looking after siblings whilst the parents spend time with their child’s
doctors - or emotional support, like I received.

Since Oli died, Rainbow Trust and their support is the only thing I have left from his last years.
Carol still visits me; I can talk about Oli freely with her; I sometimes think my friends
can get a little uncomfortable if I discuss him. Carol helps me to remember my wonderful son
and makes me realise that my life hasn’t ended. This support means so much to me right now.

Rainbow Trust can’t change the diagnosis or treatment but it can, and it does, provide a lifeline
to parents like me, struggling to cope with the death of their child. By offering non-medical,
practical and emotional support they aim to maintain a sense of normality and keep families
together over Christmas.

For the families Rainbow Trust hope to support this Christmas, this appeal is desperately urgent.
Please make a donation today, any amount you can give will make all the difference.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy healthy Christmas.

Helen Gardener.

You can make a donation to help families this Christmas on Oliver Gardiner’s In Memory page here: http://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk

Thank you