Fenland sister's fancy way to help East Anglia's Children's Hospices who helped her family
A March woman is planning a fundraising party in memory of her baby brother who died at just 20 days old.
It is the second year that Shanice Green has organised a fundraiser in aid of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which provided amazing support at the time to her family, especially to parents Caroline and Lee Green, of Friday Bridge.
She explained that Leo was born prematurely in 2010 at 23 weeks at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, which meant his organs were not developed enough.
But Shanice said: "Because he is a Green he was a little fighter and he lived for 20 days which was more than what we were expecting. His little personality was enough to give us some happy memories.
"His nurse Rosa used to call him her little tinker. She was Leo’s favourite nurse. When the time came, Rosa told my parents about EACH and explained what they could do for them.
"The same day my parents were taken to EACH - The Nook - Quidenham in Norwich. We were at the hospice from December 3 to December 20 2010.
"Whilst we were in Quidenham they offered keep sakes, such as moulds. Mum and dad took them up on the offer and now have moulds of Leo’s hands and feet. We made little keep sakes of our own too.
"EACH also sorted out the funeral for Leo."
Shanice, who grew up in Wisbech, but now lives in March, has set up a special Facebook page to support her fundraising efforts.
She is organising a fancy dress party for November 20 at Outwell Village Hall and tickets are available at £5 each. She is also selling special personalised t-shirts with all proceeds going to EACH, and has held mini-bingo nights already.
Having launched her fundraising in June, Shanice has been blown away by the support she has received so far and has already raised over £400 of her £500 minimum target. Last year she raised £405 for The Nook, which the family call Quidenham.
Shanice said: "EACH support families when they are at their absolute lowest, helping them to come to terms with their child’s illness, losing them and beyond. They offer FREE counselling.They offer family activities. They answer all of your questions. They feed you, they water you. They have sensory rooms, music rooms, craft rooms. They are literally angels sent from above."
She added there are three EACH hospices: The Nook, in Norwich; Milton, Cambridge and the Tree House in Ipswich.
As well as the fancy dress party, tickets are available via the EACH Fundraiser 2021 Facebook page, Shanice is also doing a live charity bingo on Wednesday November 10 at 8pm with tickets at £10 - again information on how to join in and donate is available via the Facebook page.
Shanice concluded: ""EACH saved us! They are NOT government funded. Donations and fundraisers are what keep them going."