Celebs rise to mum’s challenge for hospice that filled Sophie’s last days with love
THE pie is the limit for a mum’s funndraising campaign as TV stars Harry ry Hill, Marvin Humes and Nigel l Clarke get on board to support Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
The popular presenters have taken part in the #PieFaceChallenge, which was set up by bereaved mum Jane Rushton to raise money for the East Midlands’ only children’s hospice.
Five years ago, Jane’s daughter, er, Sophie, died at Rainbows aged 14.
Aware of the fundraising impacts cts Covid-19 is having on the hospice, ce, Jane and her husband Phil, Sophie’s e’s dad Matt Byrne and his wife Nina, a, and their families, wanted to create a fun challenge that everyone could take part in.
The #PieFaceChallenge sees participants filmed being splatted in the face by a cream or custard pie. They then nominate others to take part, share the video on social media and make a donation to Rainbows.
Jane hopes to reach as many peoople as possible and was thrilled that hatat Harry, Marvin and Nigel, took part. t.
In his message, Marvin – formerly l y of boyband JLS, said: “A big shout ut out to everyone at Rainbows Children’s Hospice. I wanted to wish you all the best with your #PieFaceChallenge, I hope you raise lots of awareness.”
Presenter, writer and comedian Harry added: “Wishing Rainbows Children’s Hospice the best of luck with their #PieFaceChal- lenge. I hope you raise lots of money y and awareness.”
Cbeebies presenter Nigel, who o encouraged enc d people to take part and nominated other othe ot presenters, er rs, said: “Jane would have been lost without the help the hospice gave her.”
To date, more than £5,000 has been raised from the #PieFaceChallenge for Rainbows, a place where Sophie received care and support for most of her life.
“We were lucky enough to have support from this amazing place, Rainbows, with Sophie who was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis at t 10 weeks old,” ld” said Jane. “Sophie was very unwell from 10 weeks old and as life moved on it became clear that she would need 24-hour care. “At first I was scared to go to the hospice as it seemed to remind me that Sophie was going to have a short life.
“I thought it was going to be a depressing place, but I was so wrong. Rainbows is like a home from home, filled with love and laughter. Obviously at times there
are tears, but I can’t think of any place in the world where I would have rather been when Soph was unwell.
“Five years ago, we went to Rainbows for end of life care. We were te terrified, but all that mattered to us was that Sophie was comfortable, pain-free and at peace. We spent every day making memories with Sophie and her siblings.
“Thanks to Rainbows, Sophie died peacefully in my arms, holding her Daddy’s hand, surrounded by people who genuinely cared and loved her.
“For this I will never be able to thank Rainbows enough. Rainbows are still very much in our lives with an open door and open arms whenever we need them.
“I really hope people will join us in this challenge, we all need a bit of light-hearted fun at the moment.
“Our lives have changed so much due to Covid-19 and the families with sick children are so isolated. Rainbows is doing their very best to reach out to them and help. The idea of the #PieFaceChallenge is to create some fun and laughter in these difficult times and raise some much needed funds to help.”
To get involved visit www.rainbows. co. uk/ news/ pie- limit- rainbows-mum
I can’t think of any place in the world where I would have rather been when Soph was unwell. Jane Rushton