“The event took place on Saturday 17th July. Due to covid restrictions I was limited in the amount of people I was able to invite. I invited family, friends and my work colleagues who all knew about my story and have been very supportive of me in my grieving and wanting to raise funds for the charity.
As it was a glorious sunny day we held a hot dog sale, tombola (gifts were donated by friends and family as well as I purchased some CRY’S merchandise to go towards the tombola) and games that guests were able to enter for a fee. Games included croquet (small course in the garden, whoever were able to go around the course in less hits were the winner!) We had a game of fluffy darts which consisted of 3 balls to throw on the dart board with score points- Highest points wins! Also, a game which I invented was pin the heart (to make it relevant to the event) in which we had a plastic effigy of a human being, pinned onto a board and the person was blindfolded and had to walk up to the board to stick a heart in the appropriate place. This game was the most played and certainly had some laughs at that!
We had the charity leaflets scattered around the tables for each person to take as well as a board with key information about research and what the charity does.
The main event on this was that I shaved my head in front of my guests and had posted live on social media for those that couldn’t make it and to those that donated. It was an emotional moment, but I felt brave, and I couldn’t stop thinking about my sister and how she would react to me doing this.
Overall, I felt that this was to help not only my grieving process but also, I knew how much my sister helped people as much as she could. If after this it helps save one family from going through what we have, then I have helped continue my sister’s legacy and she would be proud of me of what I have achieved. In total, I have managed to raise £626! For someone who’s never done anything like this, I feel very happy and chuffed and know that this money will be going to an amazing cause.”
– Jessica Winch
