TEN years ago this year my wife and I set up a charity to help people aged from 16 to 40 living with serious illness after our daughter tragically died of cancer aged just 31.

During her illness our daughter Anna stayed positive and happy by keeping busy and having lots of fun days in her diary.

During those days Anna would be symptom-free and so many happy memories were created.

The charity was set up to replicate the days we spent with Anna, providing special days for seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds - a forgotten age group.

In the first year we provided just 17 special days; 10 years on we are providing 1,500 special days each year. To date we have provided more than 4,000 empowering special days to people living not just with cancer but also cystic fibrosis, muscular

dystrophy, organ failure and motor neurone disease, among other conditions.

Now more than ever we need support so we can continue to provide special days and ultimately achieve our goal of providing a special day for every seriously ill 16- to 40-year-old in the UK.

Can your readers help us? There is a host of ways people can raise money for the charity or volunteer their time - from holding a tea party with friends to doing a sponsored walk, or volunteering at events.

It's the time of year when people will be running the London Marathon - perhaps runners haven't yet chosen a charity to raise money for? Every little helps and we urge your readers to think of us.

If you think you can help in any small way, please get in touch with our fundraising team on 01707 259777, email fundraising@willow foundation.org.uk or visit www. willowfoundation.org.uk.

BOB WILSON OBE

Via email