Willow News - December edition

As we wave goodbye to the end of another packed year at Willow, we wanted to share one last update on how we've worked with our partners in 2024 to create more days out, breaks and treats for seriously ill young adults.

Read below to find out about our collaboration with Red Letter Days to deliver Ashley's dream break, the 25th Anniversary Willow Ball and this year's ICAP Charity Day.

Ashley's Special Break

Ashley, from Worcester, was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer at the age of 31.

Along with our partner Red Letter Days, we arranged a break for Ashley, giving her the chance to tick some things off her living list and enjoy precious time with her husband, Alex, and children Mia (12) and Oscar (10).

"We were just a normal family, so my diagnosis came as a massive shock.

“I went through chemotherapy, a mastectomy and then radiotherapy. Just under two years after I'd got the all clear, I found a lump in my neck. I knew instantly that the cancer had come back.

“To know that you've got stage four breast cancer and you're forever going to be on treatment changes everything. I had to give up work which was really hard. My kids are young carers now but they shouldn't be having to go through this. The worst thing is knowing that this doesn't last very long. I'm three years into it already.

“I heard about Willow from my Breast Care Nurse. We looked at my living list and decided as a family on what to do for the Special Break. We went down to London, did a bit of sightseeing and then went to Rubens and had a beautiful afternoon tea.

“We got to go to a lovely Japanese restaurant, drive a Lamborghini and a Ferrari and we even went to Woburn Safari Park to feed the giraffes. The kids loved it. Seeing their faces just light up was all I needed.

“Making memories is so important for us because they last forever. And when I'm not here, however long that'll be, the kids have got those memories.”

Celebrating 25 years of the Willow Ball

On Saturday 23 November, we hosted the Willow 25th Anniversary Ball at The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane.

Thanks to our generous supporters, an amazing ￡295,000 was raised on the night, enabling us to create more special experiences and lasting memories for seriously ill young adults. It was an evening full of inspiration and unforgettable moments, overseen by hosts Mary Nightingale and Natasha Kaplinsky OBE.

Guests were treated to fine dining and first class entertainment, including performances from Willow ambassadors Alfie Boe OBE and Mica Paris MBE. Our live auction was hosted by Martin Bayfield and saw guests placing bids in the hope of winning coveted prizes including tickets to Wimbledon, a luxury weekend in Lymington and a VIP Boodles experience.

We would like to use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of our partners, sponsors and supporters, who helped make the 25th Willow Ball a resounding success – we can’t wait to welcome you back in 2025.

ICAP Charity Day

At the start of December we participated in another ICAP Charity Day with our Honorary President, David Seaman, taking to the trading floor alongside Petr ?ech and Marlon Harewood to help raise funds for Willow.

Started in 1993, the initiative sees ambassadors and celebrities come together with financial professionals to support some incredible charities. Over the last 31 years, the ICAP Charity Day has raised more than ￡165 million and funded more than 3,000 charitable causes around the world. We’re so grateful to ICAP for including Willow.

London Football Awards

The London Football Awards will soon be back for another unforgettable night, and in 2025 the event will be taking place at the iconic Wembley Stadium!

?? Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

?? Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

?? Tickets: From ￡350pp or ￡3,500 for a table

Don’t miss out, buy your tickets today and join us for an evening celebrating the best of London football across the Premier League, WSL and EFL.

Please share these monthly updates with your team and contact [email protected] if you would like to find out more about any of the opportunities available.