Est. read time: 2-3 minutes.
Serial fundraiser Shanice Green says the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) nurses and care staff are “angels sent from above”. EACH is a cause close to her heart, having lost baby brother Leo when he was just 20 days old in 2010.
He was born prematurely at 23 weeks at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. It meant his organs were not developed enough to survive. His family spent the next three weeks at EACH’s former Norfolk hospice at Quidenham.
While there they received “amazing” support, in addition to help organising Leo’s funeral. “I’ve told my story a lot in the last couple of years and it’s really helped,” said Shanice. “I love and enjoy talking about Leo.
“I think about him all the time and was in the room when we lost him. I was traumatised.
“However, he’s given me a gift – the opportunity and platform to raise money for EACH. I wouldn’t have had the drive to do it otherwise. To put it simply, the care staff are angels sent from above.
“Without them, my family wouldn’t have coped or managed and the support they gave us was absolutely amazing. Mum and dad wouldn’t be where they are today without the help they received.
“What happened has opened doors for me in terms of supporting the charity and it’s something I absolutely love doing. I try not to be sad anymore and everything we do is in Leo’s memory.
“It’s a celebration of his life and about trying to turn something very negative into a positive.” Since losing Leo, Shanice has raised thousands of pounds in all different ways for EACH.
In 2021 alone, after arranging a series of events throughout the year, including a successful fancy dress party, she ended up raising more than £2,000. Shanice said: “I’m very proud, happy and grateful for the support I’ve received.
“To have raised so much is overwhelming. I enjoy organising things. I find it fun and relaxing and when things come together and are successful, it’s so rewarding. My whole family are right behind me, as well as my partner, Gareth.
“The support is incredible and even complete strangers have made donations. I always want feedback and for others to get involved, because these are the people that are donating.
“I’m always trying to think outside the box and am passionate about fundraising. It’s something I’ll be doing for a very long time because I have such a connection with EACH.”
