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Russell Windle
Russell Windle Is taking part in the Dragon Boat Race 2025
Fundraising goal: £2,000 Total raised: £1,270 With Gift Aid: £1,415 Offline Fundraising: £0

A little bit about me and my family:
In Jan 2010 my eldest child, Olivia, was almost 9 years old, outwardly a very healthy, “normal” child, who loved dancing and singing, she was though experiencing quite severe and rapid sight loss. We had some tests carried out at the hospital and were delivered some devastating news; Oliva was diagnosed with a condition called Juvenile Battens Disease (information leaflet attached). This is a progressive Neuro degenerative disease that currently affects around 30-40 children and young people in the UK.

Olivia has just turned 24 and in the last 14 years has lost the ability to talk, walk, is completely blind, tube fed and suffers from epileptic seizures, she requires 24-hour care which my wife and I obviously do along with Olivia’s carer.

Each year since 2010 I have tried to raise awareness of this awful condition and along the way raise a bit of cash for the various charities that support families like mine, running half marathons, jumping out of aircraft, having black tie events and even convincing friends to do the Full Monty in front of 400 people. This year it’s another physical challenge and the Mission Systems team have “volunteered” to take part in it with me raising some cash for Bluebell Wood Hospice (see below).

Bluebell Wood https://www.bluebellwood.org/ is a Children’s Hospice located in Rotherham which offers respite for terminally ill children and young adults, along with providing support to siblings and extended family. This place is close to my heart (as you can imagine), and the rest of the Mission Systems Team have kindly agreed to support me in my effort to raise some much-needed funds in their name.

Bluebell Wood offers occasional respite for Olivia, to give her a break away from us as well as allowing us to do normal family things with Olivia’s siblings. In addition to providing respite for Olivia, they also have family events, siblings’ groups, family parties/BBQs and offer trips away for families, so I’m sure you’ll agree it is a very worthy charity.

Like I previously said, each year I try to raise awareness of Battens Disease whilst also bringing in a little cash for various charities along the way, and I hope by you reading this story I have achieved at least one of those things.

£650 02/07/2025
Donated by Anna Dye

Inzpire

£200 30/06/2025
Donated by Nikki Sullivan

£10 29/06/2025
Donated by Robert Chevli

Great cause!

£10 29/06/2025
Donated by Adele Hadfield

Beautiful heart felt journey. Thank you for sharing Russell

£20 27/06/2025
Donated by Lewis Walker

£20 27/06/2025
Donated by Lee Salter

All the best for the race and the target.

£50 27/06/2025
Donated by Vince Martin

£20 26/06/2025
Donated by Anonymous

£10 26/06/2025
Donated by Paul Bolton

Win! Win! Win!

£50 26/06/2025
Donated by Chris Westoby

Sad that I can't join in this year...but good luck everyone...it's all for an amazing cause!!!

£20 26/06/2025
Donated by Priscilla Joseph

£50 26/06/2025
Donated by Sutina Richardson

Absolutely in awe of your strength and dedication. Wishing you calm waters for the race with heartfelt support - Sooty

£50 26/06/2025
Donated by Jordan Bean

£20 26/06/2025
Donated by Lou Gildersleeve

£20 26/06/2025
Donated by Nicholas Bury

Great cause, good luck!

£20 26/06/2025
Donated by Robert Mayo

Good luck.

£50 26/06/2025
Donated by Russell Windle

I'll kick it off

A little bit about me and my family:
In Jan 2010 my eldest child, Olivia, was almost 9 years old, outwardly a very healthy, “normal” child, who loved dancing and singing, she was though experiencing quite severe and rapid sight loss. We had some tests carried out at the hospital and were delivered some devastating news; Oliva was diagnosed with a condition called Juvenile Battens Disease (information leaflet attached). This is a progressive Neuro degenerative disease that currently affects around 30-40 children and young people in the UK.

Olivia has just turned 24 and in the last 14 years has lost the ability to talk, walk, is completely blind, tube fed and suffers from epileptic seizures, she requires 24-hour care which my wife and I obviously do along with Olivia’s carer.

Each year since 2010 I have tried to raise awareness of this awful condition and along the way raise a bit of cash for the various charities that support families like mine, running half marathons, jumping out of aircraft, having black tie events and even convincing friends to do the Full Monty in front of 400 people. This year it’s another physical challenge and the Mission Systems team have “volunteered” to take part in it with me raising some cash for Bluebell Wood Hospice (see below).

Bluebell Wood https://www.bluebellwood.org/ is a Children’s Hospice located in Rotherham which offers respite for terminally ill children and young adults, along with providing support to siblings and extended family. This place is close to my heart (as you can imagine), and the rest of the Mission Systems Team have kindly agreed to support me in my effort to raise some much-needed funds in their name.

Bluebell Wood offers occasional respite for Olivia, to give her a break away from us as well as allowing us to do normal family things with Olivia’s siblings. In addition to providing respite for Olivia, they also have family events, siblings’ groups, family parties/BBQs and offer trips away for families, so I’m sure you’ll agree it is a very worthy charity.

Like I previously said, each year I try to raise awareness of Battens Disease whilst also bringing in a little cash for various charities along the way, and I hope by you reading this story I have achieved at least one of those things.