Oakham Rallies for Charlie: A Celebration of Life and Hope at Fundraising Coffee Morning
This Saturday, June 28th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Oakham Congregational Church will open its doors for "Charlie's Coffee Morning," a heartwarming event dedicated to raising vital funds for Kidney Research UK. More than just coffee and cake, this gathering is a powerful celebration of life, resilience, and the incredible impact of organ donation.
The driving force behind this event is Charlie, an inspiring young individual who has faced an extraordinary journey with kidney disease. Born with the condition, Charlie's diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and a genetic condition called Nephronophthisis came at the age of eight after years of misdiagnosis. Despite diligent medication, lifestyle changes, and a strict renal diet, Charlie's health declined, leading to kidney failure at just eleven years old.
Charlie's courageous battle continued with a rigorous dialysis journey. Starting Peritoneal Dialysis at home every night for 18 months, enduring three bouts of peritonitis, the decision was made to switch to Haemodialysis in early 2023. A further devastating blow came when a rare and life-threatening condition, Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia, deemed Charlie too unwell for a transplant, leading to suspension from the NHS Transplant list.
However, through intensive medical intervention and the unwavering support of an "amazing renal team," Charlie achieved remission and was reactivated on the list. After three years, three months, and 21 days on the transplant list, enduring over 7,500 hours of life-sustaining dialysis, a miracle occurred: Charlie received "the gift of life," a kidney transplant, a "perfect kidney" that was once thought not to exist.
Now, with this new lease on life, Charlie is determined to give back. This coffee morning aims to raise £500, bringing Charlie's total fundraising for Kidney Research UK to an incredible £20,000. This is one of four items on Charlie's personal "bucket list" of wishes to complete.
Attendees can look forward to delicious coffee, cake, and engaging conversation. But the highlight for many will be the truly exceptional raffle, boasting over £1,000 worth of prizes. Raffle tickets, priced at just £1.00 each, offer the chance to win a highly coveted signed Leicester City Football top or a brand-new ladies Hybrid bike.
Beyond these grand prizes, a wealth of generous vouchers, gifts, and donations have been contributed by local businesses and attractions, including Two Chimps Coffee, The Radmoor Restaurant, Rumble Live, Burghley House, Anglian Water Parks, Gates Garden Centre, Rockingham Castle, The Regal Cinema, Barnsdale Gardens, Equilibrium Beauty, Rutland Vineyard, Grimsthorpe Castle, Belvoir Castle, Ruby Hue Chocolate, and many more. Raffle tickets can be purchased on Charlie's JustGiving page.
Charlie's story is a powerful reminder that while a transplant offers a new beginning, it is not a cure, and the fight against kidney disease continues. "I’m one of the lucky ones though, I’ve been handed back my childhood, I can live my life away from dialysis and can start to explore what my new life looks like," Charlie shares. "I know many other children will not get this opportunity and will lose their fight against kidney disease and that is why raising vital funds for research is so important to me, it will enable more investment and a brighter future for others who are living their lives on dialysis and who are living in fear of the future."
Whether you can join for a coffee, cake, and chat, or simply wish to make a donation, your support will directly contribute to vital research, offering hope to countless others facing similar battles.
Event Details:
What: Charlie's Coffee Morning for Kidney Research UK
When: Saturday, June 28th, 2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Oakham Congregational Church, High Street, Oakham, LE15 6AL
Raffle Tickets: £1.00 each, available at the event or via Charlie's JustGiving page.
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