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Dreams come true newsletter spring 2015

Jul 21, 2016

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Page 1: Dreams come true newsletter spring 2015

spring 2015 newsletter

Follow UsTwitter: @dreamer654Facebook: Dreamer654

Newsletter - Spring 2015.indd 1 16/02/2015 15:22

Page 2: Dreams come true newsletter spring 2015

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WelcomeAs the daffodils begin to push their yellow heads through the frosty ground, we’re looking forward to a busy 2015 creating amazing experiences for children and young people with serious and life-limiting conditions.

The requests we receive seem to get more inspiring and imaginative each time. For example, in this newsletter you can read about young Kyle, who wanted to feed sharks! There is also Astrid’s New York dream, beautifully and eloquently written in her own words which really gives you a sense of how life-changing the experience was.

‘Inspiring’ is also a word that crops up whenever Rob Young’s name is mentioned. ‘Marathon Man UK’, Rob is raising funds by attempting to run 367 marathons in 365 days. His final run will be the London Marathon on 26th April, so please support his incredible effort.

We are also benefitting from a flurry of creative talent at the moment. Musician, Magda Czula and budding novelist, Andrew Males are donating a percentage of sales so please remember them next time you’re shopping for a new tune or a good holiday read!

Support from the business community continues to play a vital role and I would like to extend a warm welcome to our latest charity partners; Thistle Insurance Services Ltd and Lloyds Bank branches across West Surrey and North Hampshire.

Last, but by no means least, we have just announced the dates for Dream Tea 2015, which will run from 15th - 21st June. Now

in its 3rd year, Dream Tea has become a vital part of our fundraising calendar and we hope the enclosed teabag (courtesy of tea experts, Edgcumbes and sponsored by Bahlsen) will inspire you to get involved and ‘change young lives with a cuppa’.

As usual, this newsletter only allows us to show you a small snapshot of all the great things that are happening here at Dreams Come True. You’ll see much more activity on our social media pages, so do keep in touch via Twitter (@dreamer654) or Facebook (Dreamer654).

Our plans for future dreams for other children and young people like Kyle and Astrid depend on you. With your help, we can reach out to many more courageous youngsters and help them to realise a life-changing dream. When time is precious, nothing matters more.

With warmest wishes

Peter Newman, Chief Executive

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Cover Story - MarathonManUK

Our Spring newlsletter marks the final countdown for Rob Young’s epic challenge.

‘MarathonManUK’, Rob is attempting to run 367 marathons in 365 days to raise money for two charities close to his heart - Dreams Come True and NSPCC.

Rob took up his challenge in April 2014 and has been running ever since. His final run will be the 2015 London Marathon on 26th April so all eyes are on him as he gets closer to achieving his incredible goal.

Media interest in Rob’s story is growing daily and he is rapidly becoming a household name. However, Rob only has one thing on his mind - raising money for children. So far, his Virgin Money Giving page has generated donations of over £40,000 and Rob hopes the total will keep growing as word spreads of his extraordinary challenge.

Here at Dreams Come True, we will be reporting on Rob’s progress on our Facebook

and Twitter pages, so follow us for the latest news:

twitter.com/Dreamer654 facebook.com/Dreamer654

We’ll also be there to support Rob in person at the London Marathon on Sunday 26th April so why not join us and cheer him along?

To find out more about what motivates Rob, or to make a donation, visit his website: www.marathonmanuk.com

“I was profoundly moved by the charity fundraising stories I saw on TV during the London Marathon 2014. I set off the very next day to run my first ever marathon and I’ve been running ever since.“ Rob Young, MarathonManUK www.marathonmanuk.com

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Lloyds Bank

We were delighted that a selection of regional branches of Lloyds Bank have chosen to raise money for Dreams Come True throughout 2015.

Look out for posters and collection boxes in branches across West Surrey and North Hampshire.

Amongst the fundraising activity, customers are being encouraged to donate by texting DCTC10 plus a donation amount to 70070. For example, DCTC10£5

Staff are also planning to undertake a series of fundraising activities, including a cycling relay between branches and the Three Peaks Challenge.

Could we be your next charity of the year?Do you work for a company that supports charity? If so, please consider nominating Dreams Come True for your organisation’s next chosen charity.

We really value our corporate supporters, so if you know a business that might enjoy a fulfilling and highly rewarding charity partnership, we’d love to hear from you!

Please contact Jo Sorg on 01428 726330 or [email protected]

West Surrey and North Hampshire branches of Lloyds Bank will be raising funds for Dreams Come True throughout 2015.

“We’re delighted to be able to help children in our local area and we couldn’t have chosen a better charity to work with. It promises to be a great year!" Matthew Baillie, Local Director-West Surrey & North Hampshire

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Thistle Insurance

We’d like to say a big thank you to Thistle Insurance Services Ltd for choosing Dreams Come True as their 2015 charity of the year.

The Gloucester-based company have already made a flying start, raising over £1,500 at their charity launch day on 23rd January.

Amongst the activities were a cake sale, dress-down day and a unique ‘Dream Wall’ where staff were encouraged to post their dreams for a donation.

Further activities planned for the year include a pirate-themed fun day on 27th February, which will include a treasure hunt around the streets of Gloucester... residents beware!

“We are looking forward to raising as much money as possible to fulfil the dreams of children and young adults.” Gemma Hipwood, Thistle Insurance Services Ltd

The Thistle Dream Wall

Thistle have made a flying start towards their £5000 target.

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Kyle’s dream

15 year-old Kyle from Glasgow, has a rare condition called lumbo sacral agenesis, which means he has an absence of different segments of lumbar spine. For this reason, he is wheelchair dependent and will always be reliant on additional care. However, Kyle does not let his disability hold him back, he is a keen swimmer and often enters swimming competitions which means Mum and Dad are no strangers to driving Kyle far and wide across the country!

This was an interesting request for Dreams Come True. Kyle’s dream was to feed sharks in a tank, but unfortunately, due to Kyle’s age and being wheelchair dependent some options were not available. However with some internet research the Dreams Come True co-ordinator found an ‘above’ water small shark feeding experience offered by the Sea Life Centre at Great Yarmouth. Upon calling them they were more than happy to help Kyle. The dream then became a holiday as the shark feeding experience was combined with a stay at Haven Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth in August of last year.

The day started with a tour of the Sea Life Centre and then Kyle was fitted with a life jacket and grabber and he was able to feed the sharks above the tank, which was an amazing experience for him.

Kyles’s mum said: “This is a day Kyle will never forget, this is not something you do every day, even though the dream was a few months ago Kyle still talks about it, we

couldn’t have asked for any more. I would like to thank the fundraisers and Dreams Come True for making this dream possible, but sometimes saying thank you just doesn’t seem enough.”

“Thank you to you and all the wonderful people at Dreams Come True, you all are amazing. Kyle will never forget his experience his dream really did come true.”Kyle’s Mum

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Astrid’s Big Apple

Astrid from Cardiff wanted something to look forward after undergoing six months of intensive treatment for stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Her dream was to go to New York City for Christmas and visit all of the iconic landmarks. Thankfully, Astrid is on the road to recovery and this is her story …

“In April 2012 at the age of 19, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Whilst undergoing six months of chemotherapy at the University Hospital Wales, I heard about Dreams Come True.

I have always loved travelling, and before my diagnosis I was supposed to be moving to France to live for a year as part of my university course.

One city that I’ve always dreamed of visiting is New York with my boyfriend and I always intended to save up to go there.

However after my diagnosis, I assumed that my dream would have to be on long-term hold because I was unwell, but also my travel insurance costs went sky-high.

Within weeks of applying to Dreams Come True, I received a letter to say that I would be able to go to New York after all! This brought more than just a smile to my face – not only did it gave me something to look forward but it gave me the determination to fight to ensure I was well enough to enjoy such an amazing opportunity.

After looking at potential dates and hotels, I cheekily asked if there was any chance that we could spend Christmas Day in New York. To my surprise, it was given the go-ahead and within just a few days of organising my dream was fast becoming a reality.

From the moment the plane took off it really was a dream come true! It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more.

We visited Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Rockefeller Centre and so much more. What more could I have ever wished for? But for me the most memorable experience was waking up on Christmas morning in NYC – the day I had been most looking forward to. After waking up early we walked from my hotel to Central Park and went ice-skating! It was magical, the weather was amazing and I couldn’t think of anywhere else in the world I would have rather been.

Visiting New York really was a dream come true and without such an amazing charity I’m not sure it would ever have been a dream that I could have realised. It gave me something to look forward to and looking back on New York brings a huge grin to my face. Thanks Dreams Come True. “

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26 Miles To The MoonWe’re delighted to report that budding novelist, Andrew Males succeeded in his attempt to publish his first novel, 26 Miles To The Moon.

Andrew needed to secure 250 pre-orders and pledged £1 for every sale to Dreams Come True.

The paperback version will be available from mid-April and Andrew has promised to keep donating a percentage of the proceeds.

The novel tells the tale of Jon Dunn, a nobody going nowhere who takes on an extraordinary challenge... Why not pre-order the paperback from Amazon now?

Magda CzulaHave you heard of Magda Czula yet...? You soon will!

This fabulous up-coming singer/songwriter has just released her first EP and we are delighted that Magda has chosen to donate the profits to Dreams Come True.

“Giving makes me happy. I’m not quite sure where it comes from but I’ve always wanted to do something that would make a difference. I would still make music regardless of the profits because it’s my passion and something that fulfils me.”

Magda’s beautifully soulful EP, ‘Power of Sound’ is available now via Amazon andiTunes.

26 Miles To The Moon by Andrew Males. Available in paperback from April at Amazon.co.uk

Magda Czula’s EP, Power of Sound is available now via Amazon and iTunes.

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We’ve just announced the dates for Dream Tea 2015 and, to get the tea party started, we’ve sent you a special Dream Tea teabag.

This exclusive blend was kindly created for Dream Tea by tea experts Edgcumbes and sponsored by Bahlsen. We hope it will inspire you to get involved and change young lives with a cuppa.

Save the date: 15th - 21st June 2015.

You can buy more tea through our website, along with other Dream Tea goodies, including Sophie Allport mugs.

Don’t worry if the dates don’t work for your diary - you can hold your own Dream Tea anytime. It’s simply about gathering a few friends to enjoy tea and cake for a great cause.

How about organising a tea party at your school, college, workplace or community group? Or, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, how about trying an ‘extreme’ Dream Tea... (just stay safe!)

Join us on Facebook and Twitter to share your ‘mugshots’ and to get the latest updates, celebrity recipes and more...

Make a cuppa, make a difference.

15th - 21st June 2015

Download your Dream Tea fundraising pack at: www.dreamscometrue.uk.com/dreamtea

Dream Tea 2015

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Calling all runners!

12th April - Brighton Marathon

Missed out on the London Marathon this year? Can we tempt you with a place in the Brighton Marathon instead?

The entry fee and fundraising target are significantly less than for London, so why not join the UK’s 2nd largest marathon and enjoy a spectacular run along the seafront.

26th April - London MarathonOur charity places have now all been snapped up but you can still do your bit. If you’ve managed to bag a ballot place and would like to raise some money for Dreams Come True, we’d love to hear from you.

We’ll send you a fundraising pack and running vest. You’ll also be encouraged around the course by our cheering squads and welcomed at our our post-marathon party.

25th May - Bupa London 10kNot ready for a full marathon? We’d love to give you a place in the London Bupa 10k instead. Enjoy a wonderful run around the sights of London, without the pain of 26 miles!

Further Information [email protected] or give us a call on 01428 726330

Lolo did it... you can do it too!

Rob Young’s final run will be the London Marathon on 26th April. (More on page 3)

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Introducing...

Hannah Attenburrow is our new marketing officer and is delighted to join an organisation that make such a difference to young lives.

Amongst other things Hannah will be looking after our social media, so look out for her words of wisdom on Facebook and Twitter.

In her spare time, Hannah competes at elite level in cross country mountain biking and can be found most mornings training around the South Downs before most of us have even opened our eyes!

Siobhan McGowan recently joined the team as a Dream Co-ordinator and is already busy creating life-changing experiences for several courageous children.

Having worked for Clic Sargent and other similar organisations, Siobhan brings a wealth of experience working with disabled and very poorly children, so she understands the challenges many of them face.

Outside of work, Siobhan enjoys swing dancing and rock climbing - although not normally at the same time!

Coming soon....

The Dreams Come True Charity Lottery will soon be giving you the chance to win £25,000.

Tickets will be on sale from March onwards, available to buy through our website and proceeds will come to Dreams Come True.

Watch this space and good luck!

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Events CalendarMarch 15th Silverstone Half Marathon

April 12th26th

Brighton MarathonLondon Marathon

May 25th30-31st

Bupa London 10,000Edinburgh Running Festival

June 15-21st20th

Dream TeaWorld Record Skydive

August 2nd Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100

September 13th Bupa Great North Run

October 4th Bournemouth Marathon

11th Chicago Marathon

25th Great South Run

November 1st New York Marathon

January 2016 7th - 10th Walt Disney World Marathon, Florida

We can also organise bespoke challenges for private groups, including:

• Three Peaks 24hr Challenge • London to Paris Bike Ride • Skydives at your local airfield

For more information about events, please call our events team on 01428 726330 or email [email protected]

Dreams Come True Exchange House 33 Station Road Liphook Hampshire GU30 7DWT: 01428 726330 F: 01428 724953 E: [email protected] Freephone: 0800 018 6013www.dreamscometrue.uk.com

Registered as a Charity in England and Wales (800248) and in Scotland (SC043878)

Ways to donateOnline: www.dreamscometrue.uk.comVia text: DCT01£10 to 70070 to donate £10By cheque: payable to Dreams Come True

Follow UsTwitter: @dreamer654Facebook: Dreamer654

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