Kentish Express Ashford & District
Boost for sisters’ dream
Three sisters are a step closer to their dream of opening a bereavement unit at Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital after receiving more than £1,200 from John Lewis.
Charlotte Bassett, Georgina Varnals and Leigh Knight launched the Twinkling Stars Project after the death of Charlotte and her partner Glenn’s baby, Blake, who was stillborn at 25 weeks last September.
The sisters are hoping to raise £50,000 to open a new stillbirth bereavement unit at the hospital so that grieving parents can have a place to stay in that feels homely and peaceful and where family can visit.
The trio have already raised funds through a dinner and dance and a coffee morning.
Last week, they visited the John Lewis at Home store in Fougeres Way, Ashford, to collect a cheque for £1,286 which was raised through the store’s community matters initiative.
Mrs Knight said: “It was great that local people are behind us and supporting us. By placing their green tokens in our box, it meant we got a large portion of the £3,000 on offer. We really appreciate it.”
As part of the project, the sisters have already purchased a cuddle cot for the hospital with money raised for stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Sands, which was collected at a Fifty Shades of Grey film evening at Cineworld in Ashford.
The next fundraiser for the project is a Vintage Christmas Bonanza on Saturday, November 28, at The Tenterden Club, Church Road, Tenterden. The night will include live music, raffle, Santa’s grotto, vintage fair, buffet and dancing. It will start at 7pm.
For tickets, which cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for children, call Carole on 07955674757 or Charlie on 07432409895.
To donate to the Twinkling Stars Project, visit justgiving. com/twinklingstarsproject/