A MUM is embarking on a fitness challenge to complete 100 squats every single day to support the charity which granted her seriously ill son’s wish.
Faye Axford’s month-long challenge involves completing 100 squats a day in different locations across Essex, throughout August for charity, Rays of Sunshine.
The Benfleet mum is joined by Hayley Mahy Ferns, also from Benfleet, to thank the charity for the support they gave Faye’s son Callum.
Rays of Sunshine is a wish-granting charity which supports seriously ill children across the UK and Ms Axford knows only too well the profound difference a granted wish can make.
Her son, Callum, now 14, was born prematurely with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Chronic Lung Disease, Pulmonary Hypoplasia, Cerebral Palsy and Neurofibromatosis Type 1.
He spent the first eight months of his life in the NICU and was granted his wish to visit Disneyland Paris in 2018.
Ms Axford said: “My dad passed away in 2017, and we were first introduced to Rays of Sunshine in 2018. I’ve always said they came into our lives at a perfect moment.”
The trip to Disneyland allowed Ms Axford and her family to create beautiful memories.
She added: “Callum has always been so brave when it comes to hospital appointments and treatments, so the wish was the perfect way to celebrate him.”
Callum has stayed closely connected with the charity since his wish was granted.
He has been involved in various activities such as singing in the charity’s Sunshine Choir with Alfie Boe, meeting footballer Mesut Özil, and even receiving the Pride of Essex Award for his part in his family’s work fundraising.
Ms Axford’s upcoming journey will help raise funds for Rays of Sunshine, enabling the charity to grant more wishes for seriously ill children.
Ms Axford added: “I can’t put into words how much joy Callum’s wish with Rays of Sunshine brought to our lives, and how meaningful the relationship has been between us and the charity in the years since.
“I hope this challenge helps other families like ours to have similar experiences.”
Visit justgiving.com/page/faye-hayley-1718978636915.
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