Ben’s Epic Christmas Boxes – Season 3: Lego Strikes Back

Ben’s Epic Journey

Ben’s Epic Christmas Boxes

Fundraising Project for Christmas Gift Boxes

11 September 2021

Lovely people,

As some of you are aware, our son, Ben, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Lyme disease in June 2018. He subsequently underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from an Angel unrelated donor in October of that year. Ben sadly relapsed in July 2019 and died in my arms at home on Saturday 10^th August 2019.

Ben grew so much in such a short space of time; both in knowledge, age, as well as in heart and wisdom. He never wanted any association with cancer and certainly didn’t want to be defined by it. In his last few days, he humbly told me he would give up his life if other children could be healthy. In my heart, as his mum, I felt very much that he was handing the baton to me to continue a legacy of kindness for the children and families affected by childhood cancer.

We started this project in 2019 and were able to create beautiful Christmas gift boxes for the children on the three wards Ben was treated in. Last year, with the pandemic, we had to adapt our approach, so we gave gift vouchers to the children on the same wards, which were just as warmly received.

This year, knowing that restrictions are still likely to still be in place, we are focusing on Lego sets, as it's pretty universal in appeal and can be easily wiped down to ensure safety. For the very young babies, we will again offer a gift voucher for the families to select something special personally.

If we are flying ahead on the fundraising, we have some extra special ideas for some stretch goals, but we will say more about these exciting little gems as the campaign progresses.

As part of our fundraising for Ben's Epic Christmas Boxes this year, I am also walking The South Downs Way, which is 100 miles. I'll be setting off from Winchester early on Saturday 18 September, World Bone Marrow Day, with a dear friend of mine and walking the landscape all the way to Eastbourne, hopefully arriving late afternoon on Friday 24 September! I will be giving regular updates as and when possible!

We would again like to make Christmas in hospital for these children a little easier; and we would like to start the ball rolling with this fundraiser to see what miracles may come.

The Hospitals are:

Starfish Ward, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth

Piam Brown Ward, Southampton Hospital

Starlight Ward, Bristol

The three wards accommodate approximately 65 children.

The intention is to continue with Ben's Epic Christmas Boxes (of Lego) year on year. We have lots of ideas for the future, but this is something really special we hope to develop in Ben's name with your wonderful support!

You can find out more about Ben’s story via his blog here at: www.bensepicjourney.org

You can also contact us here at: [email protected]

Please note:

All donations are non-refundable, but will be used for good as part of our lovely boy’s legacy of kindness to others.