Kay Bradshaw contacted Willberry’s Wish team in July 2019 as she had been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous year.  She had been receiving chemotherapy treatment and had already undergone an operation to remove one breast in May, with a second operation to remove her other breast in October.  She desperately wanted something to look forward to and get her through the gruelling and traumatic treatment, and her first wish was to have a lesson on her horse Bailey with Ben Hobday.

The fairies knew that the wonderful Ben can never do enough for Hannah’s charity, and sure enough of course he instantly jumped at the chance to help out.  Kay was absolutely over the moon as she had never dreamed this could be a possibility, but with the treatment in October looming, she decided it would be better to wait until early in 2020 when she was fit and well enough to enjoy this wonderful experience. 

Sadly as 2020 unfolded and the pandemic controlled the country, there looked to be little to no chance of Kay and Bailey meeting up with Ben at any time in the foreseeable future.  This was a huge disappointment for Kay and Willberry, because she had been through so much and needed something to cheer her up.  So when the fairies looked at Kay’s second wish they decided that they had to stray a little from the Charity’s normal path for Wishes, but undoubtedly these are not normal times that we are living in, and some light and hope for Kay was the most important gift that Willberry could give.  

The fairies contacted the wonderfully helpful Gina at Equiclass to ask if she might help with a special wish, and she was delighted to be able to help.  She managed to get some measurements from Kay via an online chat involving two feet, a tape measure and lots of laughter!  Gina finally got all the information she needed, and let Kay decide what she wanted for some her special boots.  Apart from some very swanky styling, Kay also asked if it were possible to have the breast cancer logo embroidered on one boot and Willberry’s logo on the other.  Nothing was too much trouble for Gina and she immediately sprang into action, with promises to get the boots made as soon as possible. 

True to her word, despite the difficulties with Covid restrictions and Brexit, Kay’s boots arrived at the beginning of February and wow what a pair of boots!  Sadly, Willberry’s logo was a little too complex to fit on the boot, but the pink ribbons will get the message across loud and clear to help #kickcancersbutt.    

Kay was absolutely ecstatic when she received them, and she simply could not believe that they were actually hers!  As you can see from the picture below Kay is beaming from ear to ear sat on her horse and best friend, Bailey.  What a wonderful boost to her morale at such a low period, and something that will give her joy for many years to come ❤

Our enormous thanks go to Gina at Equiclass whose kindness, generosity and compassion are greatly appreciated, Willberry cannot thank you enough for helping us to make this wish come true for Kay.

WILLBERRY'S COLOURING COMPETITION!

  4 and under
  5-8yrs 
  8+ yrs

Click here to download the pdf! 

In December a grand total of...

£10,040.68

was raised by the following incredible people and their donors:

  Thank you so much!!

Benzion’s mother Leah contacted Willberry’s Wish Fairies to ask for a wish to be granted to her son, who suffers from brittle bone disease.  Benzion had been going to a local riding centre for group riding sessions, and one of her original wishes was to have some private riding sessions on his favourite horse Jazz.

Of course Willberry was delighted to help, and the fairies began making enquiries with the riding centre.  Unfortunately this wish was not possible in the circumstances, and so the fairies started thinking about Plan B....

They came up with the idea of a horsey mural being painted on the garden fence outside Benzion’s window, so that he could look at it every day.  Leah was thrilled with the idea, and so Willberry’s team started asking for any artists who might be interested in helping create this wonderful gift.  Onto the stage steps the most talented and generous artist that Willberry has been privileged to meet – Amy Goodman!  Amy instantly jumped at the opportunity, and began liaising with Leah about the style of the mural over the following weeks.  All seemed to be going full steam ahead, until a curve ball was thrown at the exciting plans.. The next door neighbours decided to have some building work done, which would involve the adjoining fence, and it was unsure whether Leah’s fence would be affected.  After several months of waiting without any clear answers on the building plans, the Covid pandemic took over and the whole project was put on hold for the first half of 2020.  Once we were safely out of lockdown, the fairies decided that time was of the essence, and it was time to go to Plan C and give Benzion a much needed boost!  They chatted to Leah and Amy once more, and it was decided that Amy would create a painting that could go on the wall inside the house.  Leah was so thrilled with the idea and said it was her dream to have a painting which could be cherished forever.  Amy was excited to be able to get to work at last, and started sketching....

    

At last, just in time for Christmas, Amy completed the most incredible painting that Willberry has ever seen.  Willberry galloped to Amy’s, he was so excited to see her masterpiece, and was overjoyed when he saw it, and keen as mustard to get the parcel to Benzion.  All in a mad rush to get this amazing painting to Benzion in time for Christmas, Willberry packed up the painting and waited patiently for the courier.

FINALLY, Benzion has his ‘Willberry’s Wish’ and he was thrilled.   Leah, Benzion’s Mum said ‘Benzion is delighted with the magnificent painting. He studied it and couldn't take his eyes off it.’ 

     

Amy has portrayed Benzion riding along his favourite beach with Bournemouth pier in the background, a beautiful and inspirational vision of an exceptional young man.  Amy said ‘I wanted to show him galloping free on Bournemouth beach, emerging out of the sea mist to create a magical atmosphere’ and this is exactly what has been created.  Heartfelt thank you to Amy Goodman www.amygoodman.co.uk