The Grampound Times
Summer 2006 (Edition 42 - Carnival Edition)
Our community in Cornwall
Charity begins at home, but………
The above words form a quite well known saying except that the “but” is mine.
During 2006 I have received more than 60 letters asking for money for good causes, and yes, most are excellent causes, as they relate to the world’s disaster areas and the desperate need that many find themselves in, as well of course as the appeals connected with health that are so meaningful to us all. Quite heart rending photographs of little children deserted, starving and in many cases homeless, totally bereft of the most basic things that we all tend to take for granted. Just today however, I received a rather unusual request for financial help and it reminded me of a motorcycle ride Pat and I undertook a few years ago with our friends in the Cornwall Branch of the Gold Wing Motor Cycle Owners Club of Great Britain.
A British organisation known as “STARLIGHT WISHES” wrote to our group secretary and asked us to make a very special presentation on their behalf. For that purpose around 20 of our members set off to Tintagel and a very special appointment at one of the local hotels with a little girl and her family.
Michelle, a very bright little girl, suffered from Cystic Fibrosis and also heart and lung troubles, and sadly to us she did look very fragile, but her dearest wish was to visit Mickey Mouse at his home in the Disney Kingdom in Florida; and that is where “Starlight Wishes” came into the picture. We were there to pass to the family tickets that would take them to Disney Florida and give Michelle her greatest wish to see Mickey Mouse.
Very soon after that the family did indeed help the little girl fulfil her greatest wish by taking her to Florida. We were so pleased to learn later that Michelle had had a fantastic holiday at Disney. Very sadly however, it is not the end of the story as within a few short weeks of returning to home she passed away.
The Starlight Children’s Foundation provides for the dearest wishes of seriously and terminally ill children to be fulfilled, but it is a charity and does depend on the generosity of people to support its work. If you would like more information why not check out their web site www.starlight.org.uk or contact them at their address
Starlight Children’s Foundation,
Room N14 Macmillan House
Paddington Station
London W2 1HD
They will guarantee that if you decided to offer a donation it would be well spent.
© 2006 Grampound with Creed Parish Council