Catalyst Care Group, a local care provider, were humbled to be involved in the launch of a heartwarming ‘Project Disneyland’ fundraising campaign. This initiative kicked off with a dazzling Superhero Day event that took place on Friday, September 15th, at Catalyst Care Group’s Bristol headquarters.
Participants of all ages were enthusiastically invited to embrace their inner superheroes by donning costumes inspired by their favourite characters. ‘Project Disneyland’ seeks to fulfil the “once in a lifetime” dream of Kaddy Thomas’ son, Elijah, a courageous young man battling life-limiting conditions.
The primary goal of ‘Project Disneyland’ is to raise the necessary funds to make Elijah’s dream a reality – a magical journey to Disneyland in Florida to celebrate his 18th birthday. Elijah, who has shown tremendous resilience after facing catastrophic brain damage due to a surgical infection, relies on a dedicated team of caregivers who provide round-the-clock support. To ensure Elijah’s complex medical needs are met during this journey, which includes flying both Kaddy and Elijah to Florida, specialized air transport is required.
Take a look at the video of Elijah’s preparations for visiting Disneyland here and find out more about his unique journey.
The fundraising endeavours for ‘Project Disneyland’ encompass a wide range of exciting events, including an upcoming concert and an online auction featuring an original artwork piece generously donated by acclaimed artist Becky Milnor.
Kaddy’s dream of taking her son to Disneyland has been cherished since his infancy, but due to Elijah’s health conditions, planning such a trip has been anything but ordinary. The anticipated total cost for this extraordinary journey exceeds £300,000, with a significant portion allocated to specialized travel arrangements ensuring Elijah’s safety and well-being throughout.
In a remarkable display of dedication, Kaddy is also in the process of founding the Carers Collective charity. This organization’s mission is to empower individuals who care for their loved ones by offering fully funded Coaching for Carers courses. These courses equip caregivers with essential skills to manage the inevitable stress associated with caregiving and prevent burnout.
This heartwarming Superhero Day event was made possible through the generous support of Unique Community Services, a division of the Catalyst Care Group. The event took place at Catalyst Care Group’s head office in Bristol.
Kaddy said, “Thank you so much to Unique Community Services and Catalyst Care Group for their amazing support in getting Elijah to Florida. Elijah and I feel very much a part of the Catalyst Care Group family, and we are grateful for the impact they have made in not only delivering Elijah’s care, but supporting our dreams.”
For more information, media inquiries, or to extend your support to ‘Project Disneyland’, please contact:
Ashleigh Fox, Transforming Care Director, Catalyst Care Group
