In what would have been his son’s sixth birthday month, Andy, from The Wirral, will be a few thousand metres above us in an epic fundraising challenge in memory of his little boy Charlie.
Andy is climbing five 4,000-metre mountains in the Alps, traversing ravines, glaciers and steep mountainsides and is aiming to raise £5,000 to help other families like his.
Andy came up with the challenge on what would have been Charlie’s 5th birthday, and when Andy is crossing glaciers and reaching for the summits, he also feels this is Charlie’s present to him.
“Charlie loved taking in the world around him”
“It’s hard to sum up Charlie’s character in words, but he was such a loving boy. He was always alert, always watching, just so curious about the world around him. Despite everything he went through, he’d be so happy and playful.”
Charlie had a traumatic birth, suffering a hypoxic episode either during or around his birth where he didn’t receive enough oxygen. Further tests showed that he also had an extremely rare condition called SMARD1, which stands for Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress type 1.
“I remember an early conversation with a doctor, and I just knew that Charlie wasn’t going to survive. So when the diagnosis came and confirmed this, we were in a place where we were ready to have those open and honest conversations about how we could make the most of every moment we had left with our boy.”
“The simple things suddenly became so important”
Charlie’s parents, Andy and Sarah, were introduced to the team from Claire House while Charlie was in Intensive Care.
With their support they took Charlie swimming in the hospice hydrotherapy pool where he was slapping around in the water. He experienced ‘the beach’ when they brought sand into Intensive Care for him to touch for the first time, had photos taken and made keepsakes with Charlie’s hand and footprints. And after Charlie left hospital, he had a special party at the hospice.
“Simple things suddenly became so important, like wanting Charlie to feel the wind on his face and rain on his skin. And when it came to the point where we withdrew treatment in February 2020, Claire House took us in, and Charlie was able have a peaceful end of his life as he passed away in our arms. We stayed there for another week and were supported by the nursing team and bereavement counsellors.
It was this support that inspired Andy to start fundraising.
“I didn’t know anything about this world that you suddenly find yourself in. But palliative care is just so important, and it doesn’t just stop when your child dies. We’re still leaning on Claire House.
“Charities like Together for Short Lives and the children’s hospices like Claire House which they raise money to help families like mine live the best life they can. Knowing you have that helping hand there, especially during the end of your child’s life, not only means so much at the time but also in the years to come. It helps you come to terms with what has happened. That’s certainly been my experience, and I want to make sure other families in this heartbreaking situation have the same. If I can help break down any barriers in the process, well then that is a huge bonus.”
“Every challenge has to be unique, just like Charlie”
This latest challenge follows on from previous fundraising feats including climbing the Three Peaks in the heights of winter and building a seven-foot replica of Raymond Briggs’ Snowman which was one of Charlie’s favourite films.
“Charlie was such a unique little boy and the fundraising challenges I’ve set myself over the years have been the same to honour him. This latest challenge is probably the toughest, in that I’ve got to factor in travelling between France, Italy, Switzerland and work around weather and rockfall conditions.
“I’m so grateful to my family, my friends and my colleagues in my Mountain Rescue Team, the North East Wales Search and Rescue, for all their support. I couldn’t do this without them.”
“He’s with me wherever I go”
At every step, every new mountainside and every summit will be two of the most precious items, Charlies dummy and a very special piece of jewellery.
“The inner heart was placed in Charlie’s hand when he gained his angel wings and we have the outer piece, which I’ll will be carrying with me.”
Charlie's Mum and I don’t ever want Charlie to be forgotten, so this is my way of keeping his memory out there. The money raised, the awareness raised and the difference that will make is Charlie’s legacy. I know the challenge ahead will be so tough, but having Charlie with me wherever I go will keep me pushing through the really hard parts.
Andy, Charlie's dad
You can support Andy in his challenge by going to his JustGiving page.
If you’re inspired by the incredible Andy, there are so many ways you can get involved. Visit our events page to find the perfect challenge for you, or speak to our Supporter Care team.
