The Karen Trust

We heard from Anita in August, she contacted us regarding her Son in Law Paul. 

Paul lives in Oldham with his wife Melissa & young son Ryan.  Paul has been fighting cancer for 2 years, she wanted them to spend some time away from home to make some treasured memories for Ryan.

We organised a trip to Butlins in Skegness during half term, it was their Spooktacular week in time for Halloween. 

Melissa contacted us during the holiday with a lovely picture of Ryan with Anita, his Nan, they had a fantastic time.

We received an application from Gemma at the beginning of September 2018, she really wanted to spend some time with her family young family in Manchester, her girls really wanted to see the stage show Matilda, so we organised the weekend and off they went.

Here's Gemma's message:

"Thank you so so much to Nicki and The Karen Trust for sending myself and my family on a weekend break in Manchester, we were provided with tickets to Matilda the musical, 2 nights in a hotel and money for train fares, taxi’s and meals whilst there everything was covered!

Since my diagnosis of secondary breast cancer the girls Ruby 8 and Scarlett 6 have had to deal with things no children should have to and this will continue.... but a family weekend like this was just what we all needed. We had a fantastic time and made some lovely memories which we will treasure thanks to this lovely charity, what an amazing legacy Karen left .. Thank you xx "

We heard from Anita in August, she contacted us regarding her Son in Law Paul. 

We were approached by the family of Sue, late July 2018, Sue's condition was very serious and she so wanted to spend sometime away with her precious family.  We worked quickly and secured a short break at Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Saundersfoot.

Here's a thank you from her lovely family.

"Thank you does not cover what you did for my sister!

I contacted The Karen Trust and spoke to Joseph about trying to arrange a Holiday/break for my sister.  She had been told on Wednesday 11th July 2018, three days before her son was due to get married that her Breast Cancer had spread to her brain, liver and bones.  Sue and all her family were absolutely devastated but after her sons wedding she set about sorting out a list that she wanted to achieve, the list was not very long at all.  She wanted to go to see her son racing one last time at the BSB, Brands Hatch and that one was completed.  The only other thing Sue wanted was to renew her wedding vows to Dave, her husband of 31.5 years.  We set about planning this but I also knew that Sue's wish for a long time was to have a holiday with her children and grandchildren.

I contacted you the week before Sue & Dave renewed their wedding vows on Saturday 11th August, after explaining the situation you then made it possible for them to go to Sunnyvale Holiday Park, Saundersfoot.

We told Sue & Dave about them all going away at there party after the renewal of their wedding vows and they were both beyond excited about the forthcoming trip, Sue became very unwell the day they were due to travel but nothing was going to stop her, they arrived much later on the Sunday evening and it gave Sue a new lease of life for those four days.  Sue together with her husband, three children and four grandchildren visited Folly Farm and Oakwood Theme Park where also myself and her other sister and nieces visited and she watched her family have fun and special memories were made that will never for forgotten by Sue's family. 

On Sue's return to home she again became very tied ad unwell and will all her family around her she passed away on Saturday 18th August 2018.

I cannot express enough what you did for my sister and the family it meant so much and thank you does not seem enough.

We asked people who attended Sue's funeral to donate to The Karen Trust as it is a charity close to all our hearts now and also to Breast Cancer Haven, Hereford, who helped Sue throughout her treatment.

The work you do is really Amazing and you should be so proud of the charity you have created in Karen's memory, because you gave Sue light in her darkest days.

We are all forever in your debt.

Elaine - Sue's Sister xxx "

Heres is Kirsten's in story in her families words

Kirsten was born early hours on the 13^th July 1973 at home in Northview, Chilton Moor. A beautiful daughter of the late Joan and Robert. Kirsten was the second child of four, before her, Justine and followed by brother Robert and also her youngest sister Keilly.

Kirsten’s parents moved around Houghton but never left and their final family home together would be in Otterburn Crescent. Kirsten had a happy childhood and shared lots of memory's with her siblings

From dressing up with her eldest sister and forever friend Justine. Her early morning paper rounds with brother Robert which was always followed by breakfast at their Grandma Bettys. Being older than Keilly, Kirsten took her under her wing and Keilly throughout her childhood was her little sidekick.

Click below for the full story