Date published: 28 August 2019 by Jessica Homer

Simon Hanid, whose four-year-old daughter Poppy recently ended two years of gruelling leukaemia treatment, is taking part in the 25K Thames Bridges Trek on Saturday 7 September to raise funds for Rainbow Trust.

Simon and a team of three friends will join other trekkers in the challenge, which sets out from Putney Bridge, heads onwards to the City zig-zagging over 16 historic bridges, crosses the impressive Tower Bridge and finally finishes at Southwark Park. Simon said:

“Poppy has been supported by Rainbow Trust from shortly after her diagnosis in 2017 to when she rang her end of treatment bell on 12 June this year. The charity is very dear to me as it has offered us so much support with Poppy and this is my way of giving back. Without Rainbow Trust our lives – Poppy’s, mine, her mum Vicky’s and big sister Mia’s – we would have been even more of a wreck. The work it does is invaluable to families like ours.”

The Trek is 25km from start to finish and Simon has high hopes, having finished a practise around his local area in an impressive four and half hours and he is aiming to raise £250 for families with a seriously ill child, which would be more than enough to fund a day’s visit from a Family Support Worker and a memory box, a wonderful way to capture treasured family times.

Simon’s family are supported by our Surrey Care Team and their Family Support Worker, Nicki. Poppy’s Mum and Simon’s partner Vicky said:

“I can’t even let myself think about what it’d be like without Nicki’s support. She’s made our lives so much easier, the girls adore her and I feel so much calmer knowing she is there to help us. She has helped all of us and I’d recommend Rainbow Trust to anyone who needed them.”

At Rainbow Trust, we provide expert practical and emotional support to families, where they need it, to help them make the most of each new day. We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations and thanks to the generosity of supporters and fundraisers we are able to help over 2,500 families - like Simon’s - through nine care teams across England.

Oonagh Goodman, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Rainbow Trust, said:

“We are very grateful that Simon and his friends are taking part in the Thames Bridges Trek. It is a fantastic event and we would encourage others to take part on behalf of Rainbow Trust to help us fund our vital support to families like the Hanids with a seriously ill child. Money raised from the event will enable families with a seriously ill child to make the most of the precious time they have together.”

You can support us by signing up for a place at Thames Bridge Trek. It costs just £5 to register, with a minimum fundraising target of £245 - and you will receive a bright Rainbow Trust t-shirt, crazy rainbow hair, plus fundraising advice and materials to help you look the part on the day and help you hit your fundraising target.

We wish Simon and his friends the best of luck with their Trek next week and send a big Rainbow thank you for their efforts. If you would like to help Simon reach his target, you can find his JustGiving page here.