Kind Upper Beeding sister asks for charity donations in lieu of birthday presents

Izzy Randall wanted to thank the hospice for the care it has given her nine-year-old brother Luke, who has been blind and deaf since birth.

Izzy has been recognised for being a thoughtful sister in the past, including being nominated for a national award from the charity Sense in 2016.

Mum Liz Randall said: “Izzy was 12 on Tuesday, May 26, and she said to us that instead of presents this year, she wanted to donate money to Chestnut Tree House.

“Then she said that she wanted to shave off her hair and ask for donations, too.”

Chestnut Tree House, near Arundel, has been supporting the family for six years.

Liz said: “Touch is by far his strongest sense. Luke’s life is exceptionally delicate. We’ve spent a large part of his life in hospital and three times we’ve been told ‘this is the end’, but he’s pulled through. It was only when Luke was nearly three that we found Chestnut Tree House – our sanctuary.

“Chestnut Tree House is where we go to have a holiday – time to just enjoy being a family together. We can completely hand over all of Luke’s care responsibilities to Chestnut’s amazing, caring staff.

“Luke gets to spend a day at Chestnut whilst we spend some time with his big sister. And we end the day together by splashing about in their special pool. It’s always great, one of the very few times when all four of us can be together, enjoying the same thing.

“Izzy is our star. She is totally selfless and we are so proud of her. She has raised an amazing £525 so far, and she is just an amazing young lady.”

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