A wheely great go-karting reunion

A wheely exciting reunion took place this month for a few supported siblings, who went go-karting in Mitcham and gathered back to Shooting Star House for food and more fun and games.

At the end of September last year, a valiant voyage was underway, as a crew of ten super sibling sailors came together for a week with the Ocean Youth Trust. The voyage was designed to develop confidence, team-working, the ability to cope with unfamiliar situations, and the tolerance and understanding of others. After a fun few days on the voyage the siblings returned and had made good friends outside of the hospice. So we thought it would lovely to bring them all back together for another round of fun.

   

 

The day started with racing around a go-karting centre in Mitcham. Some ‘cart’ believe how fun it was and were getting very competitive. After, using all their energy to race and drive a cart around an awesome course, they all headed back to Shooting Star House for pizza and games. They were given the space and time to enjoy themselves and relax whilst their parents could do what they need to.

Paige Bale, Family Support Worker at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said, “It was so lovely to get the team back together, although we did miss those who could not make it! We raced against each other on the track and after the first race they were all eager to beat their previous scores and of course each other the second time round. They all reminisced about our incredible week of sailing and it was so lovely to hear that they have stayed in touch with each other.”

The siblings can often feel isolated with having a supported brother or sister with life-limiting conditions, parents try their best juggling all the care, medication and appointments, as well as be there for their other children. As a way to support them, we aim to bring siblings together, who have an actual understanding of what it feels like to have lost a sibling or have a sibling in a hospice.

Ginny Hancock, Physiotherapist at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said, “The young people were meeting up about six months after our sailing trip in September. They fell into easy conversation and some have kept in touch since our trip. There was some anticipation on the mini bus going to the venue, with some of the young people having been before. We had seven young people and two staff go carting, with a  little competition between both young people and staff.”