“Leo has given me a gift – a platform to help and support other families, like ours – and I’m just as passionate and enthusiastic now as when I first started” – determined Shanice raised a record-breaking amount in 2024, taking her overall total past £10,000
Shanice Green has been a long-time supporter since brother Leo died when he was just 20 days old, in 2010.
Mainly thanks to a series of five tenpin bowling nights, her determination to raise funds continued last year - taking her overall total beyond £10,000.
It also turned out to be a record-breaking year individually, raising more than £3,000 throughout 2024 – money that will be evenly split between EACH’s hospices in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
“There have been many tears of joy, and I feel such a mixture of emotions when I reflect on my fundraising,” said Shanice, from March.
“I’m happy and proud, of course, but it also makes me quite emotional, when I think about my brother and the reason I do what I do.
“I love it, and fundraising has become a part of me. I still get lots of pleasure from it and can’t see a time when I’ll stop.
“Leo has given me a gift – a platform to help and support other families, like ours – and I’m just as passionate and enthusiastic now as when I first started.
“In all honesty, it’s helped me and given me a sense of purpose, because I was struggling with my grief at that time.
“I didn’t know how to deal with things and couldn’t speak about it, but fundraising has allowed me to turn something incredibly negative into something very positive – safe in the knowledge everything is in Leo’s memory.”
Shanice’s fundraising began when she organised a raffle for a Christmas hamper, in November 2020.
In the years since, she has raised funds from events including bowling nights, parties, online bingo, cake bakes and raffles.
“Last year was my best yet, and I was shocked to raise nearly £3,500,” said the 28-year-old.
“It meant I was able to donate £1,000 to each of the hospices, which has always been a goal of mine. I’ve got close before but never quite managed it.
“It’s amazing my best-ever year also came in the same one I hit £10,000 overall. It makes me emotional, and hopefully I can keep going from strength to strength. I already have five dates in the diary for 2025.”
The bowling nights take place at Play2Day, in Guyhirn. Each is attended by between 25 and 30 people, with £5 from every ticket going directly to EACH.
Inspired by Shanice, Play2Day also organised its own events, independently raising more than £1,000, and the kitty was topped up by a £300 donation from a local Formula G team, which competes in the National Gymkhana Championship. In addition, nearly £500 was donated by Orchard House Care Home, in Wisbech.
“Hopefully it makes a real difference, and it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for people’s kindness and generosity,” added Shanice, who shares details of her fundraising via a Facebook group which has over 400 members.
“I’m very lucky to have such supportive, enthusiastic family and friends.
“As soon as one bowling night ends, people start asking when the next one will be. Everyone’s always so kind, helpful and positive, and they have lots of ideas.”
EACH is a cause close to Shanice’s heart, having lost baby brother Leo when he was just 20 days old in 2010.
He was born prematurely at 23 weeks at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn. It meant his organs were not developed enough to survive.
His family spent the next three weeks at EACH’s former Norfolk hospice at Quidenham.
While there they received “amazing” support, in addition to help organising Leo’s funeral.
As a way of saying thank you for her fundraising, Shanice was asked to cut the ribbon at EACH shop in Milton Road, Cambridge, in February 2023.
Ellie Miller, EACH’s Senior Community Fundraiser for Norfolk, received Shanice’s latest cheque after the pair met at Play2Day.
“Shanice is an absolute inspiration, and we’re so thankful for everything she does,” she said.
“Her passion, drive and enthusiasm is relentless, and she’s showing no sign of slowing down.
“Long may that continue, because these funds really do make a difference in terms of helping us continue our vital work.”
