Daniel's legacy of love (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Daniel's legacy of love

9:00am Sunday 29th January 2012 in News By Helen Morton

HE WAS a brave little boy who the people of Basingstoke took to their hearts – and now the parents of Daniel Bowler are planning a fundraising event to mark the 10th anniversary of a charity they set up shortly after their son’s death.

Mike Bowler, who set up The Daniel Bowler Memorial Trust Fund with his wife Michelle in 2002, is hoping local businesses and sponsors will step forward to help with the community event, which is scheduled for May 5 and May 6 this year.

Mike, 48, explained: “The event will be particularly for children and young adults, especially those with disabilities and terminal illnesses, but it will be open to anyone.

“We want to make it a really special couple of days that will be a lot of fun for children and will give parents a bit of a break.

“We’ve invited children and families that we know through the charity and everyone is welcome to attend. We want to make it a real community event.”

Mike, of Elizabeth Road, South Ham, founded the memorial trust in memory of two-year-old Daniel, who died in July 2002 after battling cancer.

The charity has held several fundraising events in the last 10 years. A festival, which was held shortly after Daniel's death, raised £20,000 for the charity CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood).

All the money raised by the memorial trust goes towards helping children with disabilities and terminal illnesses, and their parents.

Mike, who has three other children with Michelle, 36, said: “The feeling of losing a child is something that no one should ever have to go through.

“We try to support people who are in the same position we were in with Daniel, and try to make their life, and their children’s lives, just that little bit easier.”

In the past, the charity has helped families by funding family holidays, buying special presents and organising visits.

Plans for the 10th anniversary fundraiser include entertainment, dancing, gymnastics, singing, musicians, a funfair, craft stalls, arena events, a puppeteer and more.

Organisers hope to hold the two-day event on Upper Sherborne Road, Oakridge, opposite The Soldiers Return pub.

But the charity needs support to stage the ambitious event. Contact Mike on 01256 413630 or 07788 293936 or email mike_dbmtf@hotmail.co.uk if you think you may be able to help.