A poem for Nicholas  

The aim of The Nicholas Appeal was to raise £100,000 to help children and families in need; and help support those who find themselves in a similar situation to Nicholas and his family.

A large proportion of the money raised has been donated directly to Derian House Children's Hospice and Rainbow Trust. Other funds went to help families in need.

Appeal Target
£100,000
Total Funds Raised
£37268
 
"The Nicholas Appeal was a non-charitable trust fund originally set up for the benefit of Nicholas Robinson and the charities that supported him. The Trustees had a discretion how and to what extent the money was used. The fund was not itself a charity but funds were applied for such charitable purposes as the Trustees thought most appropriate."

 
 
Children in Thailand released balloons
in memory of Nicholas
Click to enlarge
Click image to enlarge

Nicholas was just an ordinary, clever, fun loving child until one night in October 2005. As the clocks changed, his life also changed. Unknown to his loving family, Nicholas had a very rare and terminal condition called Alpers Disease.

After months in hospital Nicholas was unable to do any of the things that we take for granted and needed round the clock care. His life expectancy could not be predicted and we wanted to ensure that he had the best possible quality of life.

The Nicholas Appeal was established in November 2006 to help Nicholas and the charities that supported him.

Nicholas passed away on 10th May 2007. The Nicholas Appeal continued to raise money in his memory to help other children and families in similar situations.
 
Nicholas Alexander Robinson
Born 3rd August 2003,
Fell asleep forever on 10th May 2007.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die."
"On Thursday the 10th of May,
Heaven became a brighter place,
As your gorgeous little boy,
Walked in with a smile lighting up his face.
For whenever Nick smiled,
The world smiled too,
And so now the whole of Heaven,
Is smiling down on you."
 
31st March 2009

Nicholas Robinson was a clever, beautiful and much loved child, the light of our lives. Tragically, Nicholas had a very rare degenerative condition called Alpers, that caused the cells of his brain to die. After the cruel onset of the illness at just 2 years old, Nicholas was left unable to see, hear, talk or move in a controlled way, and plagued by persistent seizures he needed 24 hour round the clock care from his mum and family.

The Nicholas Appeal was setup by friends of the family in November 2006 to provide practical and financial support for Nicholas, and was successfully launched in the press when Blackburn Rovers striker Paul Gallagher met Nicholas at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Public response and support for the appeal was overwhelming, and the whole town of Great Harwood was behind the appeal. Fund raising events were held not just in Great Harwood, but throughout the area and beyond. The appeal went from strength to strength as Nicholas grew weaker, until on May 10th 2007, after months of battling illness, Nicholas was released from his suffering and is now with the Angels in Heaven.

The Nicholas Appeal continued as a wonderful tribute to the little boy we love so much, who touched the hearts and lives of so many people, and has made such a difference in his short life. In his name and memory an amazing total of £37,268 has been raised. The family and Trustees of the appeal are proud and very privileged to present the following:

To Derian House with thanks for the vital and unique practical support they provided, a final cheque of £5137.52, bringing the total amount donated to Derian to £19,467.52.

To Rainbow Trust who continue to provide emotional support and bereavement counselling for the family, a final cheque of £5000 bringing the total amount donated to Rainbow Trust to £10,000.

Money raised helped a whole school of children with special needs have a holiday to Disneyland. The appeal also donated money to Ellese Mulligan-Green, a local child who also touched all our hearts.

The Nicholas Appeal will no longer exist as a non-charitable trust fund, although the name may be referred to when fund raising for Derian House and Rainbow Trust in future to signify that fundraising is being carried out in memory of Nicholas.

The family and everyone at the appeal would like to say thank you to each person who contributed to the appeal in any way. To all who bought and sold raffle tickets, wristbands, shoes, coats, shaved their heads, had their chests painfully waxed, sang and danced and had a great time, and raised lots of money - THANK YOU.

May Nicholas be with you in your hearts forever. In Nicholas's memory we will continue to fund raise directly for Derian House and Rainbow Trust.

 
   

When we were children, it always seemed the best stories of childhood began "Once upon a time" and ended "they all lived happily ever after" Sadly for the children of Derian House... more details

Registered Charity No 1005165

   
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. We support 1,000 families each year... more details

Registered Charity No 1070532
   
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