Reuben's Retreat

💙12💙 12 years since I promised Reuben that I would ensure that a small piece of our world would be better in his name. I do believe that we all have the ability to leave our world a better place than we found it. 12 years since we saw our first #23, launching our cause (by accident) on social media, he pressed the button, it was time …. In 12 years we have supported in excess of 1700 people and as we share today over 700+ are being actively supported 🙏 In 12 years we have completed 6 ambitious phases of our multi million pound 10 phase renovation 🙏 In 12 years we have fundraised sufficiently to operate, execute our build projects and support all these amazing hearts 🙏 In 12 years my grief, my miss for my boy is still very much evident and my grief and my love for Reuben continue to drive me and inspire me to deliver the best we can 🙏 Thank you to every single member of our RRHQ team past, present and future 🙏 Thank you to every heart that has donated and gifted their time 🙏 Thank you to every person that has trusted us on their unique journey of support 🙏 12 years have passed in the blink of an eye and Reuben continues to teach me more than I ever knew, or thought was possible. Thank you 🙏 Mummy xx

💙I have a beautiful story to share💙 12 years of #miss since our boy left this earthly plain and made his home in the “somewhere out there” and started to deliver #angelswork. Some weeks ago, via our dear friend Lianne, Isaac and I contributed to a “Daily Telegraph” article about “sibling grief”. https://lnkd.in/ekS87WqH In the article, we reference my brief encounter with a palliative care nurse named Francis at that “final” meeting about removing Reuben’s life support. In his line “what about Isaac, he will survive this” he taught me more than I could ever know …. This line would shape my future relationship with Isaac (as this was about to change dramatically) and would also be hugely impactful on the valuable work we do today with families after the loss of their child. Soon after the article was published, after a link was shared across the winds of time to a gentle soul in retirement ….. a new follow popped up on our “X”.. spotted by Stacey, we had been “found” and it all felt very special. Francis and I have reconnected ……………. Today I share with you these words from him, that touched my soul and sent tears trickling down my face. How fortunate we were 12 years ago to receive such guidance …….. "Nicola, I want to share a poem I have adapted and if I had been able to attend Reuben’s funeral I would have read. It comes from a book called ‘Blessings’ by John O'Donohue. He speaks to a deep place within us all, but not always discovered." No one knows the wonder Reuben’ awoke in you, Your hearts a perfect cradle To hold its presence, Inside and outside became one As new waves of love Kept surprising your soul. Now you sit bereft Inside a nightmare, Your eyes numbed By the sight of a coffin No parent should ever see You will wear this absence Like a secret locket, Always wondering why Such a new soul Was taken home so soon. Let the silent tears flow And when your eyes clear Perhaps you will glimpse How your eternal child Reuben Has become the unseen angel Who now parents your heart and soul And persuades the moon To send new gifts ashore Today I dedicate my post to my darling boy, that has taught me so very much and to every compassionate soul, like Francis, that makes their life’s work about helping others. You are a remarkable human Francis, and I am so grateful that you were on shift this day Tuesday the 21st of August, 2012. Mummy x

✔️We need YOU✔️ Could you help us out this Saturday morning? Our fabulous friends at Sunflower Childcare Group have very kindly nominated us for a donation as part of the @dot2dotnurseryinsurance birthday celebrations 🥳 We could win a fantastic £5000 for our beautiful work with families after child loss and families whose children may face an uncertain future. But...... We need your votes! And it really is simple! Please click on this link, select Reuben's Retreat from the alphabetical list of good causes and enter your information. It takes less than a minute 😀 https://lnkd.in/efSs3pT6 Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday 21st August and the more votes we have by then, the better the chance we have of winning 🙏 Thank you everyone! Wish us luck.... #Dot2Dot21 #TheBearThatCares

💙We were held from day one...💙 Proud to know the love, support and friendship of this team of champion hearts. On the 14th of August 2012, whilst camping in Devon, the day Reuben was admitted and later air-lifted, we leant on the support of those we needed. Not knowing how much we would need them in the coming days, weeks, months, and years …. This would become key support for many years to come, not just for our family, but for the many families we are so honoured to serve today. Back in 2012 Mike worked for Celebrity Cruises. His team were there for us every step of the way and we were held from day one. Yesterday, it was no surprise that after some last-minute changes, 23 of them arrived to “give a day back” and to leave their energies once again at our Retreat. Beautiful signs that are meant to be ……. To date, this special team of kind hearts and generous souls have raised a staggering £48,920 and made a huge impact to the work we do to support families after child loss and families whose children may face an uncertain future, we are incredibly grateful 🙏 Thank you TEAM CELEBRITY CRUISES past, present and future. For all that you give, gift and continue to do for us on a daily basis. Yesterday my heart was full to see you all around our tables and to share in your magic. We love you guys and our mighty travel industry are absolutely amazing! Much love from us all xxx Mummy 💙

🏔️🛶What a challenge🏔️🛶 Huge well done to our good friend Jason from Equilibrium Financial Planning who recently completed a mammoth challenge for our cause. Not only did he climb the UK's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, he went on to kayak 100km from Fort William to Inverness STRAIGHT AFTER! Jason has supported our cause for many years now and his challenges get bigger and tougher every year. We can't wait to see what he has instore for us next year... Jason raised over £3000 for our beautiful work with families after child loss and families whose children may face an uncertain future and we are incredibly grateful 🙏 Thank you team Equilibrium for your continued support & friendship 💙 #ReubensJourney #ProudFundraiser #AdventureChallenge

⛰️Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek⛰️ Follow in the footsteps of giants and embark on the challenge of a lifetime as we trek through the breathtaking Himalayas to Ama Dablam Base Camp for Reuben's Retreat. Translated into English, this spectacular mountain means 'Mothers Necklace' as it looks like a parent cradling their child, much like our RR logo so it really is the perfect choice of mountain for us. Departing 14th April 2025, this 15 day trek will take you through the villages and towns of the stunning Khumbu region and over part of the iconic Everest Base Camp route, you will trek for 8 days to a staggering 4600 metres above sea level where you will reach Ama Dablam Base Camp before you descend back down over 4 days to Lukla to celebrate your mammoth achievement together as a group. You will also experience 2 days in the vibrant Kathmandu before leaving Nepal, possible a very different person to when you arrived 💖 The cost to trek is £1277 (LAND ONLY) Flights are approximately £850 from Manchester which Intrepid can help organise in the coming months. Secure your place on this epic adventure with just a £230 deposit. The suggested minimum fundraise for this trek is £2300 and our team will be on hand to help you with this prior to the main event 🙏 To tick this life changing journey off your bucket list, click on the link below or for more information, please email fundraising@reubensretreat.org https://lnkd.in/eqSYPbbJ #InternationalChallenge #AmaDablamBaseCampTrek #ReubensJourney #TrekNepal #TrekHimalayas #NamasteFromNepal #BucketListAdventure

We’ve had a lovely visit from our wonderful friends from TIPTO today 😀 The marvellous members and amazing agents have been supporting our cause for 12 years now and this year they’ve raised a staggering £6355 for our beautiful work 🙏 This means that they’ve raised over £28,000 in total making a huge difference to the work we do to support families after child loss and families whose children may face an uncertain future 🎉🎉🎉 We are incredibly grateful to all TIPTO members past & present with special thanks to our good friend Lorna Willis-Edwards for organising todays visit and for her continued support 💙 Huge thanks to the generous agents who visit the roadshows all over the UK and support the charity raffles. We really couldn’t do the work we do without YOU!

🥳Happy Birthday🥳 We had a wonderful afternoon at the Retreat recently when we helped Wilf and his family celebrate a special occasion, his 1st birthday! Everybody had a fabulous time and we received this really nice feedback: 'We had a lovely time at Reuben’s yesterday the boys loved the sensory room. Thank you so much for everything we really enjoyed coming and for helping make Wilf’s 1st Birthday special and one to remember.' Thank you to everyone who supports our beautiful, bespoke & unique work helping us create treasured memories for families like Wilf's 💖 #ReubensJourney #MemoryMaking #Relax #Recharge #SensoryPlay #HappyBirthday

✔️We need YOU✔️ Could you help us out this Saturday morning? Our fabulous friends at Sunflower Childcare Group have very kindly nominated us for a donation as part of the @dot2dotnurseryinsurance birthday celebrations 🥳 We could win a fantastic £5000 for our beautiful work with families after child loss and families whose children may face an uncertain future. But...... We need your votes! And it really is simple! Please click on this link, select Reuben's Retreat from the alphabetical list of good causes and enter your information. It takes less than a minute 😀 https://lnkd.in/efSs3pT6 Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday 21st August and the more votes we have by then, the better the chance we have of winning 🙏 Thank you everyone! Wish us luck.... #Dot2Dot21 #TheBearThatCares

🛫 Corporate Challenge Time🛫 Could your team join us for the challenge of a lifetime and reach the dizzy heights of fundraising? Support our cause by taking on a tandem skydive this September in Cockerham near Lancaster but be quick, we have just 7 spaces left! 🛫14th September 2024 🛫11,000 feet 🛫£220 per person 🛫£523 suggested fundraise Secure your place NOW with just a £70 deposit by visiting this link: https://lnkd.in/eiyNbsQu Jump for Reuben's and make a big difference to families who have suffered the loss of a child or whose children may face an uncertain future 💙