How do you make something positive out of losing a loved one. There is no one answer. Surviving, trying to build a life without your loved ones physical presence or trying to make your life meaningful by doing something good to help others. To try to alleviate the suffering you witnessed by trying to make a difference in their memory.
Georgia, my stepdaughter and I decided we wanted to do something, however small to try and help others. In doing so we helped ourselves, forging a stronger relationship with a common goal. We had a shared focus and purpose to our days.
It started as an idea after attending a Christmas craft fair. We looked around at all the stalls and were both struck with the same idea, we could do this, we could make things like this and at the same time raise money for MNDA (motor neurone disease association).
We were so fired up after the visit that we immediately started planning and throwing ideas around. We couldn’t wait to get started. We decided to do all Christmas decorations as that was something we both liked and thought would sell well. We had a faltering start as we tried making things that weren’t very good, but slowly, we became more practised and started producing items that we hoped others would buy.
When friends found out they offered to make things for us too.
We attended two Christmas markets with all our crafted art and decorations. We wore our MNDA T shirts and had banners, literature and a picture of Craig, so that it was clear what we were raising money for. We also had a collection box for donations.
Over the two events we raised £850 with sales and donations. Both fairs were very successful and we had a lot of positive feedback. We were also able to talk to people about MND/ALS.
We are currently getting ready for our next craft fairs this November and December.
The second fund raiser was a book which I have written called ‘The Under Tree Folk’. It came about because when my husband Craig died after just two years of illness I struggled to find a purpose. I missed his presence in many ways but especially when I was upset. He used to tell me stories at night if I couldn’t sleep. Without him there I was forced to tell myself stories.
After a visit to an old tree, with my brother and sister-in-law, as I lay awake that night, I started thinking about the tree and its roots and I began making up stories about people who lived under the roots and the stories developed from there. The Under Tree folk were born.
The book is about the people who live underneath the roots of an oak tree in the middle of the forest. They are a secretive people and no one knows they are there, mainly because they are very small and they live deep in the forest, away from human folk. They also hide if anyone accidently gets near to them.
This first book introduces you to some of the characters. It describes their houses and the town and you meet some of the animals who are part of their lives and the community of the great oak.
The story writing then became like therapy for me. Writing the stories is all consuming so it helps me manage my grief and cope with Craigs death.
The fantasy world I have created allows me to be somewhere else where life is simple and uncomplicated untouched by Craigs death and the hardship that brings.
I have always written when I have been sad as a way of expressing my emotions and helping me put them into perspective. It’s as if once I’ve written them, they are out and dealt with and I can move on. The storytelling is a little different as I still have to finish a story and then come back to the reality that Craig is not here to share the experience or to see the final product.
The book is the first in a series of books but as yet I have only published the first one. My hope is that the book will bring enjoyment to others and become successful so that it raises lots of money for MNDA and at the same time keep MND in the spotlight so that more people will take part in fund raising events
Georgia and I will continue to fund raise and do our bit to raise money. If you are thinking of fundraising whether it be something large or something small, remember it all helps.
Author: Anita Newton