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Nik and Eva Speakman
Having a beautiful daughter of our own who we adore unconditionally to the extremes beyond which words can express and a new baby on the way, we sat bewildered, after a delightful dinner while we watched a short film of Robyn and her short life. As our tears flowed freely with both sadness at the suffering that Robyn had endured and the helplessness and subsequent loss of precious little Robyn to her family, we also felt happiness and gratitude to have such perfect children ourselves. We realised at that moment that perhaps Robyn’s purpose was to touch people all over Britain and indeed the world to highlight and help those stricken by the disease neuroblastoma, from which so many children suffer, and so little knowledge and assistance is available. Despite the grief and sadness that swept the room that evening, the sparkle of Robyn’s spirit shone through her family. We were fortunate to meet Robyn’s parents too, and were blown over by their positivity of ensuring Robyn’s relatively short life had a greater purpose. The Brooks family and children were an inspiration to us. Having lost the most precious gift of life, they were filled with the obvious love and admiration for their little girl but also an inner strength that was so apparent. An immeasurable strength and drive to now go forward and assist others. In 2006, having read the heart breaking letters of other families now in the same situation Robyn’s parents had found themselves in, it was a comfort to note that these parents writing to the Robyn Brooks appeal, now had a shred of hope and support …. ‘The Robyn Brooks Trust’ now helps to fund other children’s treatments, to offer guidance and assistance and to donate monies to allow those children now terminally ill the chance for their dreams to come true in their final months of life by contributing towards trips to Disney and to swim with dolphins etc. In addition to our experiences at the Annual Ball, we were thrilled to be advised that Robyn’s family now wish to offer their fund raising fruits to children with all forms of cancers. We were also grateful to have been allowed to read the letters of thanks from families who had already been given funds from the Robyn Brooks Trust. We were honored and humbled to be asked to be patrons of this wonderful charity. Our thanks go to the Brooks family for making a difference in their time of grief, and for their selfless attitude. Our thanks also go to all those who support, offer assistance and contribute to The Robyn Brooks Trust be it past, present or future. Nik & Eva Speakman |
Having only limited knowledge of the plight of Robyn Brooks, we were flattered and delighted to be invited as guests to the newly created ‘Annual Robyn Brooks Appeal Ball 2004’.