Greendale's Rowing Challenge for Gabriel's Journey

On Monday 13th October 2025 members of the Greendale team will be embarking on a rowing challenge to raise funds for Gabriel’s Journey.

Four rowing machines will be set up in the office and the team hope to complete a distance of 90 miles within 6 hours – this is the same as going from our Poole Office to our Winchester Office and back again! None of us are seasoned rowers, so this won't be easy!

Please support us if you can - Gabriel is a fantastic boy whose bright smile and determination has inspired us all. We would love to raise as much as possible for him so that he continues to receive the very best care, equipment and experiences.

Gabriel's Story

Gabriel is 14 years old from Bridport, Dorset. He lives at home with his Mum, Dad, his older Sister and Brother, Connie and Reuben and his three furry friends, Boyd, Dudley and Luna. He loves going on adventures and smiling is his favourite.

Despite Gabriel’s smiley and cheerful personality, he has been through a lot. Gabriel is a twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome survivor, born at 33+4 gestation Gabriel and his identical twin brother Isaac were born. Isaac was stillborn and Gabriel was fighting for his life. Gabriel was resuscitated for 28 minutes by healthcare professionals. He suffered a neonatal intracranial haemorrhage, was on a ventilator for 4 days, needed a blood transfusion and antibiotics. He has since been diagnosed with four limb cerebral palsy, epilepsy, global developmental delay, and is nonverbal. Although Gabriel has these conditions, he lives everyday fighting and proving to people that nothing is impossible.

On the night of 8th August 2023, he suffered a prolonged seizure which led to him being intubated. Unfortunately, the intubation caused severe damage to his airway and despite multiple surgical procedures at both Southampton and Great Ormond Street Hospital his health declined. On the 10th of November 2023 Gabriel underwent tracheostomy surgery. Since then, he has been diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and is still very unwell at times but he continues to battle on through always with a fierce determination and a smile on his face. He really is unstoppable!

The support and input Gabriel receives from public services are amazing. Those that are lucky enough to know and work with Gabriel work hard, care about his health and his progress, however there are a number of things we want to do with Gabriel that aren’t available on the NHS and social care services, such as home adaptations, equipment, therapy, adapted toys and holidays.

We don’t know what the future holds for Gabriel as he gets older, so we really want to maximise his life for enjoyment and adventure. These will help Gabriel live the life he deserves; to spread his smile and to show people the sky is the limit.

Asking for help isn’t easy, but we are eternally grateful for any help you do give towards Gabriel. Please know that your help will give Gabriel so many opportunities to thrive and change his life for the better.

Thank you!

Rosa and Bobby (Gabriel’s Carers)