Mother walks over hot coals for Oxfordshire hospice
Michaela Middleton is taking on the fundraising challenge in Abingdon for Helen & Douglas House in memory of son Finley
Micheala Middleton is taking on the epic firewalk challenge today, Saturday 19th October, at Tilsley Park in Abingdon to raise money for Helen & Douglas House.
She's walking over the hot coals in memory of her son Finley who was cared for by the hospice.
Michaela Middleton, her husband Justin and Finley’s sister Lucie aged live in Bicester. Micheala’s son Finley had a life-shortening condition and died in May 2023 aged 14 years old. He was a regular visitor to Helen & Douglas House for respite visits along with Michaela and Finley’s sister Lucie, who continues to be supported by the hospice’s siblings club.
Finley’s condition was never specifically diagnosed, but he had multiple medical problems, including immune deficiency and issues with his endocrine system which helps regulate things like growth and development and metabolism. Finley was therefore very small physically and had additional problems to do with nutrition.
This great firewalk challenge starts at 4.30pm. This is the second year Helen & Douglas House has held their Firewalk and they aim to raise £15,000. This could pay for a full-time doctor who is an expert in paediatric palliative care at the hospice for two months.
Micheala said “Our experience with Helen & Douglas House has been nothing but spectacular. Everyone has been so kind and supportive, not just to Finley, but to all our family. The hospice has been a lifeline in our journey with Finley.
“We first came to Helen & Douglas House when Finley was around 18 months old. We were referred there by the medical teams in the John Radcliffe Hospital. This was to help us manage Finley’s life-limiting condition.
“Finley loved being able to do exactly what he wanted. He mostly enjoyed using the art room at the hospice and playing the Xbox and PlayStation. And as he got older, he really liked the VR headset.”
“When Finley passed away our whole world fell apart. Even though we knew he had a life-limiting condition, each year that he was alive meant that we felt more relaxed that it wouldn’t happen. When he died, we were devastated that it happened so quickly.”
All the fundraisers including Michaela will be trained by Scott Bell, a two-time Guinness World Record holder for the greatest distance walked on fire.
The piping hot coals can reach temperatures over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to support Helen & Douglas House say there will be plenty of food and entertainment onsite to enjoy too. There will be a pizza truck serving delicious pizzas, a mesmerising fire dancer, and performances by the Oxford Rock Choir.
Helen & Douglas House are hoping for around 100 participants to join us them year. The £15,000 they hope to raised could pay for a full-time doctor who is an expert in paediatric palliative care at the hospice for two months.