Katie and Emily's Story
Katie's daughter, Emily, lives with spina bifida as well as multiple complex spinal cord conditions. Throughout their family's journey, Shine has been there to provide specialist support, guidance and reassurance. Below, Katie explains why it felt important to her to fundraise for Shine. She began in 2024, and in June 2026 took on her first skydive in aid of Shine.
"I first chose to donate to Shine in 2024 as my daughter was diagnosed with spina bifida occulta, syringomyelia, diastematomyelia and tethered spinal cord syndrome. I first did a 5k run in 2024, and in June 2026, I did a skydive.
I was surprised with the amount of money I raised for the skydive. My initial goal was £500 and I raised a total of £1,669. I have enjoyed fundraising as it brings awareness to these conditions and gets Emily’s story out there. In Feb 2026 I did a bake sale at work to raise money for this skydive and the cakes went down a treat with everyone.
"Shine have helped get Emily onto the correct medication, they regularly check-in to see how we are all doing..."
I received amazing support from Shine’s Fundraising team, both online and through the post. I received a fundraising pack with everything I needed, from balloons, leaflets and a Shine t-shirt for the skydive. I’d say to anyone thinking of fundraising for Shine to please do it because the funds raised help families like mine. Shine have helped get Emily onto the correct medication, they regularly check-in to see how we are all doing, they have visited us during her hospital stays and provide general support when we need it.
"I’d say to anyone thinking of fundraising for Shine to please do it because the funds raised help families like mine."
Shine is incredibly important to us as a family since Emily’s multiple diagnoses. They are there when you need them for any kind of support, and I can’t thank this charity enough for everything they do for us and other families."