Charities
Winstons Wish
We are quite frequently asked why we have chosen Winston’s Wish as our charity and the most straightforward and honest answer is simply that they do the most amazing, inspiring work to support young children who suffer the devastating loss of a parent or sibling. If you have witnessed or experienced the difference that Winston’s Wish makes it’s really hard to imagine a more deserving, impactful or heart-warming cause.
The more personal reason is that on 25 April 1980 my parents, Janet and Paul White, lost their lives in a plane crash on Tenerife. It was their first ever holiday away alone since they were married. I was 12 and my younger brothers, Andrew and Neil were 9 and 5.
Whilst the bare facts are easily shared, the actual act of losing mum and dad, the gap that is left behind and the long term impact is something that I do still frequently find quite difficult to talk about. If I’m honest, I still don't fully understand it and I am still never quite sure how I am going to react when asked about them.
I know I have spent a long time trying to ignore the possibility that the loss of my parents had in any way shaped who I am and to this day, I still bristle at the word “orphan”. It is then still a very complicated, confusing set of emotions and thoughts which are of course totally anchored in that loss and it underpins both good, and probably less good, aspects of who I am. I have also learnt that whilst grief and the impact of loss never disappears it does change over time and that to a certain extent you build your life around that grief, inf only to make more manageable.
Despite everything I do consider myself to be incredibly fortunate in that my life is full of love, light, fun, and friendships and whilst of course I would wish my parents were here with me now, I am lucky in so many ways.
Winston’s Wish are really important to me personally and to Marc and Dan who have been just amazingly supportive of my desire to help them. We are so proud that through our endeavours and your kindness we are able to make a real difference to bereaved children. It genuinely and truly means the absolute world to all three us.
It’s an amazing charity so please make sure you don’t deny their help to someone else and go ahead and make a donation…..thank you.
Nick
