One in a MILLION!
This week, we’re recognising the incredible efforts of Maria Hanson MBE, 69, from Ticknall. She said…
Sitting around the kitchen table, an idea quickly popped into my head. My cousin Delia, known as Dee, then 57, sat beside me – we were like sisters and she always supported me.
‘Imagine if we created a charity that can help everyone,’ I pondered.
‘That’s a fantastic idea,’ Delia agreed, nodding.
And I knew it was, too – especially as I had been struggling to access the support I needed after suffering from multiple lifechanging conditions.
After childbirth, I faced medical complications, including a prolapse bladder.
Undergoing 18 surgeries to rectify them, I was left with further complications which left me using two stoma bag and walking with two sticks due to neurological damage.
I just need to talk to someone,
I thought, calling Samaritans.
That was the only support I qualified for – other providers were much harder to access as I didn’t fit their criteria.
And so Delia and I wanted to found a charity that provided unconditional support for struggling patients and their families, too.
Only, as we fleshed out our idea, Delia passed away from breast cancer in December 2005, aged 57.
I was heartbroken, but I was determined to fulfil our dream, so I founded Me&dee in her honour, registering it as a charity in July 2006.
Since then, I’ve carried out my role as a CEO unpaid – it’s not about the money, it’s about how many people I can help.
Meeting every family that reached out to Me&dee in-person, I assessed what support they needed – my mobile is always on, too, so they can call me whenever they need.
Noting down the birthdays, favourite toys of the children I meet, our team turns up at their door with them.
Now, I’ve helped over 5,000 families!
We arranged day-out experiences for families, too, including animal petting at White Post Farm, Charnwood Farm and Go Active Falconry, as well as swimming sessions at local sensory pools.
As the children petted the alpacas at Charnwood Farm while the parents enjoyed afternoon tea, it was lovely watching them make special memories, all because of my efforts.
In 2015, I was even granted an MBE from King Charles for my work and looking at those three little letters after my name in print, I know I’ve made Delia proud.
I just want people to know that you don’t have to tick a box to get the support you need.
Me&dee is founded on unconditional love, just like Delia gave me, and we’ll continue to provide it, too.
I founded the charity in Delia’s honour