A SOLIHULL man has raised more than £400 for the Edward’s Trust after successfully completing 31 fund-raising activities in 31 days throughout October.
Derek Dickson’s month-long campaign finished on Saturday (October 31) when he wrote the final verse to his poem as part of his challenge – to mark the charity’s 31st anniversary.
He decided to write a poem with 31 verses in it to help raise funds for the charity which was set up in memory Knowle Infant School pupil Edward Dent who died of a rare cancer when he was seven in 1988.
The charity, which was set up by Edward’s parents Peter and Hilary Dent in 1989, provides home from home accommodation for families who have a seriously ill child in hospital and bereavement support parents, children and carers across the West Midlands.
The poem, which he published on his Just Giving site, is about the charity – from its beginnings to where it is now and the fundraising effort he and others were doing.
His final verse reads: “Final day of this poem, and now that the challenge is at an end
“Writing a poem a day, could have driven me round the bend
“By doing it late at night and after my workday has been done
“I have to admit to myself though, It’s been weirdly kind of fun.”
He set out to raise £310 and so far he has raised £407.
Derek said: “I am supporting the ’31 in 31′ Challenge’ for the Edward’s Trust charity because they are a member of our Business Over Breakfast Club networking group and do amazing work supporting bereaved families in Solihull and the West Midlands.
“They are passionate about the work they do and it is both enlightening and compelling.
“I have some understanding of bereavement through my own work as a will-writing consultant and was keen to support their fundraising through this tough time.
“Also, the first name I was born with is Edward.”
For more or to donate to Derek’s challenge visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/derek-dickson
