Hi, my name is Lorraine and I am setting up a charitable foundation in memory of my incredible son, Ryan. The foundation will provide free of charge counselling to those aged 18-40 diagnosed with a terminal illness, and their families.

We have a fantastic logo, some amazing trustees, and we have recently signed our paperwork to make it all official. Ryan's website is also being updated to accommodate his foundation.

Now we need funds to get this off the ground, and support as many people as who need us!

We are staying small and personal, true at heart, so that Ryan's last wishes are fulfilled in the meaningful way he talked about.

So, who was Ryan?

A very precious son, grandson and brother, partner and friend. Family was the most important thing to Ryan, and he had so many wonderful friends. Life was going amazingly, Ryan was a talented programmer and had just set up his own business which was successful from the start. He had met the love of his life, and they had discussed their plans for life together. Ryan loved cars, and he was able to buy his dream (for now) VW. At just 20 years old, he had already accomplished so much, happiness and success seemed to fall into his lap!

But then, he got headaches, his mood felt different, and he suddenly suffered a seizure. It was a brain tumour, a big one, but operable. Sadly, the lab results after the operation gave the worst news. It was terminal. Family and friends were devastated, the car had to be sold as he could never drive again, work stopped, as his abilities were diminished on account of the surgery. He could easily have felt so sorry for himself, but he didn't. Ryan started a blog (see ryancastle.co.uk), and he supported charities who were also there to support him. All this despite chemo and radiation, he wanted to help as many people as he could in the time he had left. My broken heart, swelled with pride.

After 15 months battling brain cancer, my son lost the fight in 2021. Shortly before he died, he spoke to me, knowing that losing him could destroy me, he gave me a cause; asked me to continue helping people in his name. It has taken some time, it had to, to gather the strength to do this properly. But now I am ready. Will you help us?

Please, please donate if you can. And share this fundraiser with friends and family - let's get this seen far and wide. I aim to raise £4000, but more importantly, I want people who need support to know about the Ryan Castle Foundation.

So, thank you. And please search for the foundation in a few weeks, maybe share it again once we are up and running. Also, please get in touch if you have a charity or organisation, and would like to collaborate with me.

With gratitude and well wishes,

Lorraine,

Ryan's Mum.