Mum hosts ball to celebrate son’s 21st birthday and give back to charities close to her heart

A grateful Colchester Mum is on a fundraising mission for three charities that have supported her family throughout her son’s life.

Sue Cain, 50, from Colchester, is organising ‘Nathan’s Extravaganza’ – her second charity ball – to celebrate her son’s 21^st birthday and to thank The Sick Children’s Trust, The J’s Hospice and the David Randall Foundation for helping her family over the years.

20 year old Nathan Cain was born with a congenital heart defect and developed hydrocephalus at just a few hours old. As Nathan got older, other conditions emerged, including cerebral palsy, worster-drought syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and scoliosis. Nathan has only one functional kidney and a rare chromosomal genetic condition, which have all come together to cause his brave struggle.

Nathan has required specialist treatment throughout his life and for this he has had to travel to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge. During his treatment there, his parents, Sue and Neil, were supported with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation at Acorn House, run by The Sick Children’s Trust. Acorn House is located in the hospital grounds, which meant Nathan’s parents were never more than just a few minutes’ walk from his side. Alongside The Sick Children’s Trust, his family have been supported by The J’s Hospice and the David Randall Foundation, which will also be benefitting from the charity ball. Sue, who is selling tickets for £55 per person* or as tables of ten to the event at Le Talbooth in Dedham, says:

“I was completely overwhelmed with everyone’s support and generosity in 2016 and really want to raise just as much for these fantastic charities this year.

“‘Nathan’s Extravaganza’ is extra special this time round as at midnight Nathan will turn 21! Nathan is such a fantastic young man, and makes Neil and me proud every single day. On Friday 4 May we will be having a wonderful celebration to mark the occasion and also to thank everyone who has helped us and been there for us over the last 21 years by raising much-needed funds for charity.

“The J’s Hospice has been an absolute rock for Neil, Nathan and me, giving Nathan time away from home and provides us with lots of emotional support. The Sick Children’s Trust is a charity we have received support from more recently when Nathan has had to go for treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Having your child in hospital and being just minutes from their bedside in a ‘Home from Home’ is a huge relief; we cannot praise Acorn House enough – staying there took a huge weight off our shoulders. This year, we also wanted to take the opportunity to thank the David Randall Foundation, which is also very close to our hearts. The charity has given our family some wonderful days out which we always look forward to and memories we will always treasure.”

‘Nathan’s Extravaganza’ will be held on Friday 4 May at Le Talbooth in Colchester. There will be a drinks reception and canapés, an exquisite Le Talbooth BBQ, an exciting live auction, raffle and a disco into the early hours. Tickets cost £55 per person* and all monies raised will be split between The Sick Children’s Trust, The J’s Hospice and the David Randall Foundation. Community Fundraising Manager, Elisa Cappello-Dowd, says:

“From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to say a huge thank you to Sue for once again organising such a big event. It means so much to us to have her continued support, which makes a huge difference to other families who need a ‘Home from Home’ when their child is seriously ill in hospital.

“We’re delighted to be a part of Nathan’s 21^st birthday celebrations and can’t wait to attend the ball. As a charity we rely entirely on voluntary donations to keep our houses running, so we’d like to say thank you to Sue and all her supporters who we know will make the evening a huge success.”

To buy tickets to Nathan’s Extravaganza’, please email nathan.extravaganza@gmail.com and if you’d like to support Sue by sponsoring the event, please get in touch.

*£55 per person is an early bird offer, prices will increase to £60 from 1 March 2018.