As it embarks upon its final build stage, Glossop’s Reuben’s Retreat has launched the ‘Brick by Brick’ campaign, allowing supporters to be a physical part of the finished Retreat.
Visitors to the entrance hall at the Retreat are always awed by the unique and moving feature wall which was built using LEGO bricks that belonged to Isaac, Reuben’s brother, as well as some of Reuben’s own play bricks. The wall has great significance to the charity as when Reuben passed away in 2012, lots of family and friends sent Isaac LEGO sets to help him navigate his grief through play. These thoughtful gifts showed how people come together to support the whole family unit, including siblings, and this sentiment is pivotal to the services Reuben’s Retreat provides.
Nicola Graham, Founder of Reuben’s Retreat and Reuben’s Mummy, commented:
“Those that love us want to make us feel better after loss, with each person trying to navigate that all-important question ‘what can I do?’. When we lost Reuben, there was a beautiful outpouring of love for his big brother Isaac who was aged just 4 at the time. A lot of that love came in the form of Lego. Some time ago, now age 17 and after working together on an article about sibling grief, Isaac turned to me and said ‘I get it. That’s why people bought me Lego.'”
The charity, which supports families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities, wants to replicate Isaac’s Lego Wall in the new wing of the Retreat. This time, they want to create a community wall showcasing individual fundraiser support. By donating £123, individuals or businesses can have any dedicated name engraved on a genuine LEGO brick which will become an everlasting part of the building, on display for all visitors.
Nicola concluded:
“A brick is a legacy that signifies solid foundations and being part of something – each individual brick is part of something larger. Creating this wall in the Retreat, brick by brick, means more than gratitude. It sits within the story of two brothers who had a very different promised future and the grief and love that now tie them together. Inspired by the kind hearts who thought of Isaac back then and the many siblings we now support, we wanted this to be a solid and everlasting legacy within our precious building as we realise our ultimate vision and ambition for our Retreat.”
To donate and receive a dedicated personalised brick, please visit: www.givengain.com/project/reubens-raising-funds-for-reubens-retreat-94957.
Many special events and fundraising activities are planned to #CompleteTheRetreat as part of the One in a Million campaign.
More information can be found at: www.reubensretreat.org/get-involved/fundraising/one-in-a-million/ Supporters can also donate directly to the dedicated One in a Million fundraising page at: Given Gain.
Reuben’s Retreat was founded in August 2012 following the tragic passing of Reuben Michael Graham aged just 23 months. The charity supports families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities.
