Help me have a birthday treat at Kew

Hello friends, I know there are much more pressing matters to fundraiser for right now but as I’ve been having a rough time so far this year, I want to do something nice for myself for my birthday and would very much appreciate it if you wanted to help make that happen.

Late last year my long term health condition Ulcerative Colitis started flaring up again and again, and I’m back on the chronic illness management rodeo again, battling with doctors and specialists and awaiting new medications which might help get things back under control.

Since the start of 2025 I’ve had appointment after appointment, blood tests and even an ambulance callout when I randomly fainted in the street. Drama! Next month I’m due a sigmoidoscopy which although I’ve had many times before, it’s an extremely unpleasant procedure that I’m not looking forward to. It’s been a lot of not-fun stuff in a short space of time.

Anyway, on my birthday I usually like to take myself to one of my favourite places, Kew Gardens for the day, and wander round looking at plants, drawing and listening to music. (It’s mega cheap to visit if you’re on universal credit, so a good treat if you’re skint!)

Obviously being ill all the time means my income has plummeted, but this year I would really like to spend a couple of nights at a nice hotel near Kew with a sauna and a pool and make the most of my trip there. Having some proper time to relax would mean the world to me right now and also give me something to look forward to. (If I’m too sick on my birthday to travel and walk around, I can save it for another time.)

Thanks so much if you are able to chuck me a few quid for this.

Kate xo