In Memory of Tasha Pickard
A grant donated in loving memory of Tasha Pickard, a mum of two who passed away aged 29 of spinal cancer, means Giddo's Gift can reach new heights and enhance its support to teenagers and young adults living with cancer in the area.
Since its establishment in May 2017, more than £350,000 has been raised by supporters of Giddo’s Gift to help improve the lives of teenagers and young adults living with cancer. For seven years, the family-run charity, consisting of volunteer trustees and ambassadors, has relied on the generous contributions of friends, family, and the local community, raising funds through various fun days, events, appeals and small grants from national organisations.
Help from an angel
But this year, the charity has soared to a new status thanks to an incomprehensible donation in memory of Tasha Pickard, from Flint, who was taken too soon after a diagnosis of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour, a type of spinal cancer, two years ago.
Giddo’s Gift was there to support Tasha’s family, who are also local to the area.
Mandy said: “As a thank you for our generosity, one of Tasha’s family members who works at Wilmington Trust nominated us for the funds. We were told they didn’t hesitate in putting our name forward, and that they’re forever grateful to Jord and to the charity for how we supported them.
“We rely mainly on donations from the community or National Lottery funding, but last Christmas, we were informed that Giddo’s Gift had been chosen to receive funds from the proceeds of a number of discretionary charitable trusts, of which Wilmington Trust SP Services (London) Limited are the share trustee, we couldn’t believe it.
“A total of £27,000 was donated to us in memory of Tasha Pickard.”
“Giving begets giving, and we think this is the most wonderful way for Tasha’s memory to live on. Two local heroes from Flint who were taken too soon from cancer, have helped put smiles on so many young people’s faces. We can’t thank the family enough for their generosity.”
Where will the grant go?
To date, Giddo’s Gift has granted 174 grants and wishes, have donated over £50,000 to childhood cancer research, and have supported 80 families to have a caravan break at Giddo’s Gaff in Porthmadog.
But Mandy’s mission to process requests for grants and wishes, apply for grants, and raise funds for the charity to continue its work has turned into a full-time job. But thanks to Tasha’s family’s outstanding gesture, a charity community development officer – Giddo’s Gift’s first employee – has now been appointed. This paid role will be to support Mandy and volunteers with the increasing number of grants and wishes, as well as with strategic fundraising, events, and marketing.
She said: “None of us ever thought Giddo’s Gift would go this big. This incredible grant has now enabled us to take on our first ever employee, raising the bar on what we can achieve. We were absolutely blown away. Not only by the amount but how the power of the local community has come full circle.”
Mandy said: “I can’t put into words how much gratitude I have for everyone who has supported us from day one. But of course, a huge thank you to Tasha’s family for their incredible gesture. This is really life-changing for us, and hopefully for the young people we support.”
Hope for the future
Mandy said the community development officer will also work on awareness campaigns, both for the charity and its services, and to advocate for funding into research for kinder and less aggressive treatments for childhood cancer.
“Jordan received rigorous medical care, which was of course needed but we don’t want any more children or teenagers to be at risk of developing a secondary cancer, like Jordan did, as a result of harsh cancer treatments. We need to raise awareness, and together, we can do this.
“Who knows where we’ll be in another seven years. We do know that Jordan would be proud, and that we couldn’t do it without everyone’s support.”
To donate to Giddo’s Gift in order for us to continue supporting young people with cancer, click here.