The Wokingham Word, February 2020

LOCAL FUNDRAISING
Chosen Charities
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ...
NEW for 2020, The Wokingham Word is
supporting two Chosen Charities.
Throughout the year, I will aim to raise
awareness (and money) for two fantastic
causes - one local, and one national.
The Ollie Young Foundation
For my first local
Chosen Charity, I
had to go with my
heart. There are so
many lovely local
organisations who do
absolutely fantastic
stuff, but the Ollie
Young Foundation is
particularly special.
On 26th February 2012, the unthinkable
happened to the Young family. Little Ollie,
just a day off his 6th birthday, died in his
mother’s arms, with his family around
him. The symptoms of his inoperable
brain tumor had only become apparent 12
weeks earlier.
Since then, in his name, the Ollie Young
Foundation has raised a staggering
£500,000 for brain tumour research.
You probably know that Ollie’s mum,
Sarah, was ITV Meridian’s Winner of the
Regional Fundraiser of the Year award, and
attended the star-studded “Pride of Britain”
awards back in October 2019.
Sarah is just delightful, the nicest person
you could ever wish to meet. Simon, his
Dad, the same. Ollie was one year older
than my youngest son, Ronnie. Alfie, his
older brother, is the same age as my
middle son, Alfred. It doesn’t take a genius
to work out why I feel still so connected to
this cause. I remember reading their story
all those years ago, and so many times
since, rarely with dry eyes.
The majority of the money raised by the
OYF goes into brain tumour research; to
improve quality of life, life expectancy, and
ultimately, to save lives.
In addition, the OYF supports Helen &
Douglas House, which provides hospice
care for babies and children. And also CLIC
Sargent which provides financial support
for affected families.
February really is Ollie’s month, with both
his birthday and the anniversary of him
passing away. The OYF call it FebBLUEary
and aim to raise awareness of their cause
by turning everything blue!
Visit www.ollieyoungfoundation.org or
follow us on Facebook.
My second Chosen Charity is national,
and it’s the wonderful:
Alzheimer’s Society
“Tell me your name again?”
I’m Carolyn.
Pause. Confused.
“Who gave you that name?”
You did, Mum.
Pause.
“I didn’t know you were my daughter all
this time”.
This is the conversation I had with my
mum when I dropped her back home after
Christmas. She was especially confused
over the Christmas period. She stayed with
my brother for a few days, and then with
us - it was all too much. On Boxing Day, she
had no recollection of the day before. She
was very upset when I told her I would be
taking her home the next day, saying that
she thought she was staying for Easter.
At other times, she might be lucid and
insightful ... but those
times are becoming
fewer and fewer.
My mum was an
intelligent and very capable
woman. A school teacher, chair and
member of many committees and good
causes, a wife and mother, a fantastic
cook. Incredibly modest, I never heard her
say she was good at anything, when in fact,
she could do virtually everything.
With projections of 1 million sufferers by
2025, nearly everyone’s life will be touched
by some sort of Dementia. Alzheimer’s is
by far the most common type, accounting
for over 60% of cases.
The Alzheimer’s Society
is at the forefront of
research, support
and advice for those
affected. And whilst
we all try to stay
positive, anyone
affected knows what
a cruel and draining disease it is.
Find out more at alzheimers.org.uk
So there you have it, my two Chosen
Charities for 2020. Look out for fund-raising
events and information in future editions,
on my website www.thelocalword.com
or please look up The Wokingham Word
on Facebook. I hope that at some point in
the year, you might be able to help support
them with me.
For anyone with a tiny amount of spare
change jangling in your pockets after
Christmas, I’ve set up a fund-raising page
- I’d be so grateful if you feel inclined
to make a donation ... please go to:
uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search
for “The Local Word” or Carolyn Robinson.
The Wokingham Word 5 FEBRUARY 2020