A Fundraising Birthday Bash

27 January 2006

By Pauline Howes

Early December and my birthday was looming! Do we celebrate it or pretend that it is not happening? No - I am going to be proud to be half a century old - and grateful to be fit and well.

Our youngest son Charlie died six years ago in December - the week of my birthday. He was 15 years old and had Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

We decided to have a 'Sausage and Champagne' party for fifty friends and family. Lovely sausages made by the local butcher, served simply and washed down with lots of champagne and, if I'm being honest, lots of cheaper Cava!


My husband Jem groaned at the thought of all the presents I might receive. We agreed that I have more than enough 'stuff'. The idea came to us to ask for no presents when sending out the invitations - but a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign if people would like to. Being December may have helped - so much shopping for everyone to do - much easier to write out a cheque to 'MDC' than to choose a gift for me!

We enjoyed a super party and donations totalled £540. All our guests remembered our Charlie and were happy to support muscular dystrophy - especially after enjoying delicious sausages and a few glasses of bubbly! The photo of us above shows me, my husband Jem and son Alex enjoying our first drink before the guests arrived.

A great day and a good fundraiser in memory of Charlie.