Meet brothers Luke and Zac, along with their close friend Oliver – a trio affectionately known as “the three gentlemen.” All three have Down’s Syndrome, and they’ve chosen Julia’s House as their Charity of the Year for 2025.
With huge hearts and creative hands, they’ve been learning new crafts alongside their mums, Nicky and Jo, and selling their unique and handmade items at car boot sales and community events – all to raise money to help provide our specialist care for children with life-limiting and complex conditions.
Earlier this year, Luke (35), Zac (30), and Oliver (27) visited our hospice in Devizes with their mums and their Personal Assistants to see first-hand the impact of their incredible efforts.
So far, they’ve raised more than £1,500 toward their ambitious £2,500 fundraising goal. Most recently, they raised more than £350 with a tabletop sale at the Swindon Fire Station Open Day – and they’re not stopping there.
“This is our fifth year of fundraising for a chosen charity,” says Nicky, mum to Zac and Luke. “It all started during the pandemic when we began learning a new craft each week. We decided to sell the beautiful and useful things that they make for a chosen charity, and it went from there.”
She adds, “It’s also about widening their world. When you have a disability, life can become quite small. You spend a lot of time focused on appointments and specialists. It’s good for the boys to see there’s more for them beyond disability and care.”
Their connection with Julia’s House began at our charity Christmas Carols event in Swindon.
“After the carols evening, Zac said he wanted us to raise money to help the children at Julia’s House,” Nicky says. “He has severe arthritis and sometimes uses a wheelchair, so he knows what it’s like to live with pain. He cares very deeply about others – always asking what we can do to help someone who’s hurting or upset.”
The young men were excited to discover more about our work during a recent visit to our Devizes hospice, where they asked plenty of questions and got a chance to see the difference they’re making.
Now they’re back to the crafting table with more events lined up later this year, including their much-loved Christmas Tabletop Sale at Gorse Hill Community Centre in Swindon in late November, the Gateway Christmas Fayre, and the Christmas Open Day at Westlea Fire Station.
Thank you Luke, Zac and Oliver for supporting our compassionate care for local families, and helping to create the magical moments and memories every child and family deserves!
Support Luke, Zac and Oliver’s mission – donate via their Just Giving page.
