Shoppers in The Mall in Luton were startled by a superhero flash mob who performed a surprise dance in aid of Keech Hospice Care on Sunday.
The group of 30 dancers drew a large crowd when they broke into dance, then dispersed as quickly as they had appeared.
Keech Hospice Care volunteers were stationed at the shopping centre to promote Children’s Hospice Week which runs until May 3, and the new Keech superhero run on June 2.
Events fundraiser Clare Bestall-Philips said: “It was an amazing performance and we would like to say a massive thank you to Next Generation Youth Theatre who impressed us all. There was a real buzz in the shopping centre and it was great to see so many Keech supporters. The bucket collection on the day also raised an impressive £1284.75 so we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated. We hope that this will inspire lots more people to sign up to the superhero run and become super heroes themselves.”
Children’s Hospice Week is the UK’s only awareness and fundraising week for children with life-limiting conditions and the services, like children’s hospices, that support them.
It culminates this year with Superhero Friday – a special day of hero-inspired fundraising.
This year the focus is on siblings to raise awareness of how the whole family is affected and how services support brothers and sisters through special groups and activities.
Shannon Hall, 14, is the big sister to Charlie, 13 who has Retts Syndrome.
Shannon said; “I was only four when my little sister Charlie was diagnosed with Retts Syndrome and all I remember is it being quite hard. I felt very confused as I didn’t understand why my sister wasn’t like me and why couldn’t she play with me.
“Living with a disabled sister can be quite hard as the things other siblings do I can’t with Charlie which it can be quite upsetting. Also Charlie needs a lot of care from my mum and dad which takes up a lot of their time however without Charlie, my life would be very different.
“The bad thing about having a disabled sister is that you can be restricted of what you can do and all the attention can be focused on Charlie. But the best things are that my life would be totally different if Charlie didn’t have a disability nearly every part of my life has been because of Charlie and I couldn’t imagine my life any different.
“Just because Charlie has Retts syndrome it doesn’t mean that we aren’t still very close sisters. Even though Charlie cannot talk to me I know she listens and understands everything I am saying. Charlie has this very cheeky smile which she doesn’t give out freely but I always manage to get one. We still manage to do lots of things together but it can be hard as it’s got to be accessible but even if its playing with bubbles or going to a play centre, I love playing with my Charlie, however I would admit that I have been spending less time with Charlie as of school work and GCSE. I have lots of amazing memories with Charlie I couldn’t just name one but we have been Disneyland and going up a mountain together has to be some of the best.
“Keech Hospice Care has been a big part of my family’s life. Keech is somewhere where they look after Charlie and give her and us a nice break. “But Keech doesn’t just provide respite, we go swimming and also music therapy I also attend the sibling support group, sparkles which was great fun and mum and dad can have pampering and support too. There is lots of things Keech do which makes our family so much happier. Keech means quite a lot as it gives us and Charlie a break from each other for a while but it isn’t just helping us it his helping hundreds of other people. I would love for lots of other families who have children with disabilities to experience the help and support we do.”
Why not become a caped crusader for Keech and take part in Superhero Friday on Friday 3rd May? For more information about getting involved please contact fundraising@keech.org.uk
Visit www.keech.org.uk to find out how you can support Keech.