White Christmas For The Whitaker Family 2020

It has been placed on my heart to set up this fund for the Whitaker Family. (** Please note it will ultimately be the decision of Andrew and Carla, where the funds will be most appropriately used e.g. bills, medical expenses etc). I for one don’t like seeing anyone going through hard times… it breaks my heart. My words probably can’t describe what this family has had to go through and endured these last 2 years! I know for me it is unimaginable! Andrew was diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer in September of 2017. He was ready and up for the fight… with his beautiful, strong and courageous wife and 4 boys beside him. Oesophageal cancer is cancer of the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach and is debilitating. Andrew won the fight after surgery and going through the stages of chemo. Then came his post on FB on the 1st November this year…they have found cancer in his lungs: “After returning back to work and what seemed to be some normality again to our lives, I find myself back at the PA Hospital ready for Round 2 fight again.” What amazes me is the strength this amazing man has! He apologised to those close by if this was the first time in hearing this. Andrew has a heart of gold. He always thinks of others. He puts his wife and his boys (14, 12, 10 and 4) first. The fruits of this is shown by the beautiful family he has been blessed with! A strong and supportive family, that sticks together through thick and thin! The pictures of his boys are all that of smiles. Andrew is just so full of joy and fun! All the memories I of have of him is him trying to make the best of the High School years… always bringing laughter! That said, he wasn’t one of those naughty boys… ha ha… he was an absolute character and so fun to be around! One memory that always comes to mind is… Andrew for some reason elected to take Home Ec as a subject (his sister informed me it was because the class was guaranteed to be full of girls)… aspiring to make the girls laugh one day he decided to place his face on the plate of the iron & react as if it was on… but little did he know it was on! Resulting in a decent imprint of the iron on his face - no one ever let him forget this! I hope I have painted a picture of Andrew’s genuine nature and why I have decided to create this fund for his Family. As mentioned, it has been put on my heart to do this…and anyone that knows me, this is so out of my comfort zone but I believe in Miracles and I believe in hope that people love to give to a good cause. About a month back Carla commented on a FB post… featuring a cabin with the fireplace burning and snow falling outside…her comment was “One day.” All money raised will go to making this dream for Andrew and his wife to come true. An all-expenses paid Holiday to Breckenridge Colorado for Christmas 2020… where the snow is guaranteed… its Main Street is straight out of a movie… beautiful white powdery, fluffy snow. The reason why the fund goal is high, is to cover the Christmas factor, the USD conversion and 2 of his boys will be classed as adult airfares. Lets all come together for this lovely couple and their family. Let’s grant them a wish and a dream of a lifetime Holiday to enjoy a White Christmas together. I believe that this is the spark needed to help give Andrew the hope, grace and faith to fight this thing. Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not yet seen. It’s amazing what love does…love conquers all…love hopes…love heals. Giving is an act of love. How awesome would it be to gift this to Andrew…the love he would feel of everyone who has rallied around him and shown him their appreciation of a love gift. A gift that will create a lifelong lasting memory. One thing that I don’t want this to turn into is a ‘pity’ fund! This is a fund of hope, love, giving, encouragement, support. A fund that’s say we love you! So let’s give to this worthy cause and please share this post on your FB Page. It might seem a lot but it’s amazing how if everyone can give whatever they feel to give… every dollar will add up. How awesome would it be to gift them this gift for next year! The Whitaker Family will have a whole year with something special to look forward to. Something to get the Family’s mind off what they are going through. Thank you for your support and for sharing. Tonya xx **All funds will go straight to Andrew and Carla to be used at their discretion, whether it be to have the joy of having a White Christmas or to put the funds towards any ongoing bills or medical expenses.** ***Thank you to Sophie Azzopardi & Nathan Azzopardi SALT. Media, for allowing us to use your absolutely gorgeous photos of the Whitaker Family! xxx