April 18th, 2023
We caught up with Julia's House Chief Executive Martin who recently took part in a fundraising walk with one of our Young Ambassador's in celebration of what would have been her sister's 21st birthday. Here's what he thought of the experience...
 
What an amazing day on 1st April for ‘Team Gabby’, trekking 21 miles with our Young Ambassador Diana Lawrence in memory of her sister.

On what would have been Gabby's 21st birthday, we started in darkness at the time Gabby was born, laying flowers at her grave. Head torches on, we set off along mud-soaked paths. As dawn broke, the team of 8 chatted about our links to Julia’s House.
 
Team Gabby smiling at the camera in a wet and muddy field
Diana and Ruby are bereaved siblings who were supported throughout their childhood by the charity. Lisa is mum to two children with a life-shortening condition supported by Julia's House. Claire has nursed many children at the end of their lives and is now our Director of Care. Jacquie is a trustee of the charity. Fundraisers Caroline and Sarah along with myself have a combined nearly 40 years’ experience working for Julia's House.

Conditions were tough, with deep mud much of the way. Our route across South Dorset took us from the Jurassic Coast, over hills to the Iron Age hill fort of Badbury Rings and its famous tree-lined avenue in High Wood, across flooded meadows at Wimborne and finally into the Julia’s House children’s hospice at Corfe Mullen.
 
Team Gabby pose next to a sign saying 'Spetisbury'

 

Diana and two other members of her team walking in a field in the rain with their hands up, smiling at the camera

A big group of friends and colleagues joined us for the last mile, with a '21' birthday balloon for Gabby. At the end, Diana bravely got through an emotional speech that had us all welling up.

Team Gabby raised around £8,500 – and Diana is determined to do more in future.

Grief never disappears. It is the other side of love, and love is not something you recover from. But everyone who knew Gabby is grateful. She made us better people.

 
And on her 21st birthday, over 21 muddy but memorable miles, Gabby brought us together.