An Isle of Wight grandmother has raised more than £3,200 for Daisy Chains IW in thanks for the support her family received during her grandson’s leukaemia treatment.
Debbie was inspired to give something back to the Island charity after witnessing first-hand the difference it made to her family during her grandson Orry’s lengthy treatment for leukaemia.
Throughout more than 2 years of treatment, Orry collected ‘Beads of Courage’, with each bead representing a different treatment, procedure or milestone along his journey.
Inspired by her grandson’s bravery, Debbie decided to start threading beads of her own, creating Morse code bracelets to sell in aid of Daisy Chains IW.
What began as an ambitious fundraising target of £1,000 soon grew into something much bigger, with the support of friends, family and local businesses helping Debbie raise an impressive £3,237.64.
Among those backing the fundraising efforts were The Duke of York, The Anchor and the Isle of Wight Community Club.
The money has been donated to Daisy Chains IW, a charity which has provided vital support to Orry’s family throughout his treatment, particularly with the considerable costs of travelling to and from Southampton for hospital appointments.
The charity also invited the family to events and activities, providing opportunities to enjoy time together and create special memories away from the challenges of hospital visits and treatment.
Expressing their gratitude for the support they have received, Orry’s family said:
“As a family, we would like to say a massive thank you to Daisy Chains IW for their support during Orry’s leukaemia treatment.
“The cost of constantly travelling back and forth to Southampton would have been untenable. Having that burden lifted was a massive relief and allowed us to keep our family together as much as possible.
“Daisy Chains IW also invited us to attend their many events, providing us with much-needed distractions and creating memories we will always treasure.”
The family explained how Orry’s collection of beads had inspired Debbie’s fundraising efforts, with each bracelet helping to raise money for other Island families facing similarly difficult circumstances.
Founded in 2012, Daisy Chains IW supports children with long-term or life-limiting illnesses and disabilities, helping families with travel costs to mainland hospitals, emotional support and other practical assistance.
The charity relies on donations and fundraising events to continue its work, with an increasing number of Island families needing assistance.
A spokesperson for Daisy Chains IW has thanked Debbie for her efforts, saying:
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Orry’s nan for her huge donation to us through her fantastic fundraising and are so glad we were able to help Orry in some small way on his journey.”
Orry’s family hope their story will encourage others to support the charity, enabling it to continue helping children and families across the Isle of Wight.
Further information about Daisy Chains IW, including how to donate, can be found at www.daisychainsiw.co.uk.
