A fun-loving mum is taking on a mud-splattered obstacle course to raise funds for the children’s charity that cares for her son.
Caroline Sheppard has signed up for the Whole Hog event, at Wantisden Hall, near Woodbridge, to show her support for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Son Henry, 13, has a rare genetic condition that was only diagnosed when he was eight. Among many complications, it means he has severe epilepsy and profound learning difficulties.
He receives care from EACH at The Treehouse, and Caroline, who lives near Bury St Edmunds, is keen to show her appreciation by raising both funds and awareness on 6th October.
“One of Henry’s former teachers and teaching assistants have done it in the past, and they said how much they enjoyed it,” she said.
“I know it’s going to be tough, but, at the moment, I’m blissfully ignorant!
“I used to do a lot of sport and enjoy keeping fit, although I admit it’s lapsed in recent years. Even so, I love a challenge and anything that gets me outdoors.
“As a family, we try our best to get out and about and love walking along the seafront at Felixstowe.
“Sometimes we take our wetsuits and have a dip, whatever the weather. It’s our happy place.
“It’s great to be able to give something back, to recognise and thank EACH for everything it does for Henry.
“It’s such an invaluable service, and, as a family, we’re incredibly lucky to have the care and support we receive. I can’t imagine life without EACH.
“Organisations like it do such a wonderful job, and it’s a travesty that children’s hospices only receive 15% of their funding from the Government.”
Henry enjoys short-break care at The Treehouse, which makes a huge difference for Caroline and husband Nathan. The couple have also benefitted from counselling sessions at the hospice.
“Caring for our son is a 24-7 operation,” she said.
“We have to take turns sleeping in his bedroom because we need to listen out for the start of a seizure.
“It’s only when he’s at The Treehouse that we can genuinely switch off, confident in the knowledge he’s OK.
“For that particular day or evening, we know he’s in the best and safest hands, being cared for by kind, compassionate and very professional people. It gives us freedom, and, for once, we don’t have to worry.
“Those breaks give us the headspace we desperately need, and we always feel better, happier, refreshed and recharged afterwards.”
To show your support and sponsor Caroline, click here.
This year’s Whole Hog (30+ obstacles and around five miles), which costs £49 to enter, is once again being accompanied by the Boss Hog event (40+ obstacles and around seven miles).
Daredevils taking part can expect to crawl under cargo nets, through tunnels, climb steep banks and walls, wade through rivers, swing across monkey bars and much more.
For every person that registers, and ticks a simple box on the online form, organisers eight point two events have again pledged to donate £5.
Anna Bruce, EACH’s Senior Community Fundraiser for Suffolk and East Essex, said: “As always, we’re looking forward to this event, and there’s still time to sign up, if you’d like to take part.
“You can take part as an individual or on behalf of a team of up to 20 people, and there are four waves, at 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm.
“It’s great fun, and we look forward to seeing you there.”
For larger teams, email bookings@wholehograces.co.uk to discuss alternative booking options.
