A gift that carries kindness forward

My 23-year journey with Sebastian’s Action Trust: a legacy of kindness

For more than 23 years, Sebastian’s Action Trust has been a huge part of my life.

What started as a simple offer to help has grown into a journey filled with volunteering, fundraising, friendships and countless memories. I’ve had the privilege of watching the charity grow from a small office in Sunninghill to The Bluebells, and, most importantly, I’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes to families going through some of the hardest times imaginable.

That’s why my wife and I have chosen to leave a gift to Sebastian’s Action Trust in our Wills. We wanted to help make sure that future families can continue to receive the support, care and moments of happiness that I’ve seen make such a difference over the years.

Where it all began

I first got involved with Sebastian’s Action Trust after meeting someone from the charity through a local newspaper reporter.

We hit it off like a house on fire. I remember saying, “Look, I can do driving for you.”

And that’s how it started.

In those early days, I regularly drove families to hospitals in London and helped wherever I could. As the charity grew, my connection to it grew too.

I was there when we dug the first bit of soil out for The Bluebells. I was there when they topped out the building and when it officially opened. The funny thing was, every time we tried to hold one of those events, it rained!

Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far Sebastian’s Action Trust has come.

Being part of the Sebastian’s Action Trust family

Even after all these years, I still feel very much part of the charity. I often describe myself as a “roving ambassador” because I enjoy spending time with families, meeting people and helping everyone feel welcome.

One of the things I particularly enjoy is sponsoring the birds and reptiles that come along to family events.

The queues of children wanting to stroke the snakes are incredible! Seeing their excitement and happiness is what it’s all about.

Those moments might seem simple, but they matter. For families who spend so much time dealing with medical appointments, uncertainty and stress, having the chance to just enjoy being together is incredibly important.

Supporting the whole family

If you ask me what makes Sebastian’s Action Trust so special, my answer is simple: it supports the whole family.

Over the years, it’s become clear to me that when a child is living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, the impact reaches far beyond that child. Parents carry enormous worries, brothers and sisters are affected too, and everyday family life can become incredibly difficult.

What I’ve seen time and again is that families need opportunities to spend time together, make memories and meet other people who genuinely understand what they are going through.

That’s one of the things Sebastian’s Action Trust does so well. It provides something that goes beyond medical care. It creates opportunities for families to connect, take a break from appointments and treatments, and simply enjoy being together.

I’ve seen families laughing together at events, children getting excited about meeting the animals, and parents connecting with people who understand their situation without explanation. It’s those opportunities to enjoy time together and feel less alone that can make such a difference.

Families need all the help they can get.

Why we chose to leave a gift in our Will

After 23 years of seeing the work Sebastian’s Action Trust does, leaving a gift in our Will felt like a natural decision.

I’ve seen how carefully the charity uses its money. They make sensible decisions, they do things properly, and they always keep families at the heart of what they do.

For me, it comes down to trust.

I’ve watched the charity grow over more than two decades, and I’m confident that whatever support they receive will be used in the right way to help children and families.

I know that a gift left in our Will will make a difference in the future, just as the charity has made such a difference to so many families over the years.

It was simpler than I expected

One thing I would say to anyone thinking about leaving a gift in their Will is not to assume it is complicated.

For us, it was much simpler than I expected. We used a codicil, which is a legal document that allows changes to be made to an existing Will, rather than having to start again.

It was a straightforward process, and it gave us peace of mind knowing that we could continue supporting a charity that has meant so much to us.

I also think it’s important to talk to your loved ones about your wishes, so they understand why you’ve made those decisions and what matters to you.

For me, leaving a gift to Sebastian’s Action Trust is about trust, experience and believing in the future.

It’s about helping make sure that families who need support in the years ahead can continue to find kindness, understanding and moments of joy.

Sebastian’s Action Trust has been my favourite charity for the last 23 odd years, and it will continue to be for as long as I’m around!