The parents of a 12-year-old girl from Soham who died this year are to lead a 32-strong contingent of family and friends to raise money for the hospice where their daughter spent her last days.
Lucy Johnson’s parents Sharon and Andrew Johnson will lead the family team when they take on the Huntingdon Inflatable Colour Dash on June 10.
The event will raise money for the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in Milton.
A sponsorship page was setup to raise funds for the hospice ahead of the race, with a modest target of £3,000 but it has already raised a whopping £5,761. Lucy suffered a seizure at 12-weeks-old, initially thought to have been brought on by a temperature, but after another 14 in 24 hours she was diagnosed with epilepsy.
She lived with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare and severe type of epilepsy, had global developmental delay and was registered blind.
Lisa Yearn, a family friend, said: “Sadly, our gorgeous little princess Lucy gained her angel wings and heaven gained the strongest little angel.
“We cannot thank Milton hospice enough for everything they’ve done for Lucy and her family.
“After walking in to the hospice and seeing how they looked after our friends and their daughter, we all felt we wanted to do something to raise money.
“We spotted the Inflatable Colour Dash and thought being covered in paint whilst clambering over obstacles alongside a bunch of friends, having a laugh, was the perfect way.”
Lisa said: “Sadly, in March, Lucy became incredibly unwell and was in hospital. She went to the hospice [EACH] to spend what time she had left in a comfortable environment with her family.
“The hospice was actually closed for a week at the time, but there was no hesitation to open it just for her.
“The wonderful staff, some of whom have known Lucy and her family for 10 years, came in and took over the responsibility of meeting Lucy’s medical and physical needs, so Sharon and Andrew could focus on being mum and dad.
“The emotional support the family have had is overwhelming and without the wonderful staff they wouldn’t be coping at such a difficult time.
“Not only did the hospice open its doors to Lucy, her mum, dad, brother and sister so that they could all stay onsite, they welcomed her nannies, granddads, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends. They all had drinks made and meals cooked for them, too.
To sponsor Lucy’s family and friends, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/l-yearn
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