Caroline and Richard Ridgewell tell us why fundraising in memory of their beautiful daughter, Polly, is so important to them:
“Polly was diagnosed with Crohns and auto immune liver disease when she was just 13. She took it in her stride and medication kept it under control most of the time. She was very academic and after doing well at school, went off to Manchester University to study religion as she had decided to be an Religious Education teacher. Polly absolutely loved Manchester and whilst there she met Tom, her fiance, studying on the same course. They got engaged just before graduating together in 2012.
The next year was very hectic. Polly was trying to complete her PGCE to qualify as a teacher as well as planning her wedding. Sadly she began to become ill more often. Although she was very independent, determined to finish her studies, it wasn’t to be. She returned home on Good Friday 2013, caught a cold, and within a few days died very suddenly at home with us. Her condition and treatment had ruined her immune system. She was 22. She never got the chance to experience a Special Day from Willow but packed in a huge amount of happy times in her short life.
We wanted to fundraise in her name so other seriously ill young adults can enjoy happy times and create their own special memories.
At the end of last year, we held Polly’s coffee morning raising over £600 and hope this will be just the start of things to come. We’re already planning our next event: a 10k run in Manchester, the city where Polly fell in love and made so many precious memories.”
Inspired by Caroline and Richard? You can help make more Special Days possible but holding your own fundraiser. Find out more…