Demelza House fundraiser in memory of Terry Kiddie at the Old Rectory pub in Leybourne, West Malling
11:00, 27 July 2022
updated: 11:19, 27 July 2022
A charity fundraiser including a car show, auction and disco will honour the life of a 10-year-old whose story touched the hearts of KentOnline readers.
The event, which will be raising money for Kent children's hospice Demelza House, takes place at the Old Rectory in Leybourne, near West Malling.
The fundraiser kicks off at noon on Saturday, July 30 with a car show, featuring TVRs and modified Fords.
There will then be a number of family-friendly activities throughout the day, including messy play for children, an afternoon BBQ, charity auction, pie throwing plus an evening disco from futurefmlive at 9pm.
The event is being held in memory of Terry Kiddie from Rainham, who was born with cerebral palsy and brain damage.
The 10-year-old passed away in May 2015 after being taken to King’s College Hospital in London but he will always remembered as 'a cheeky chappy with an infectious smile'.
This year would have been Terry’s 18th birthday, and the fundraiser will aim to commemorate his life and continued legacy.
In 2012, the Medway Messenger, supported by KentOnline, chose Terry and his family for its festive fundraiser.
The goal was to raise £20,000 for the Terry Kiddie Trust to help the family build their son his own room after he could no longer go upstairs in the house.
Planning permission for the room was granted by the council, but the extension was sadly never finished as Terry's condition worsened.
Mel White, Terry’s mum who now lives in West Malling and works in the Old Rectory, is organising this weekend's event.
"It would be fantastic if as many people from the local community could come along this weekend," said Mel.
"Terry had a great sense of humour and loved to see people having fun.
"I can't speak highly enough about Demelza House. It helped me so much when Terry was alive. It would be great if we could give something back to such an amazing charity."
The Old Rectory, which was previously known as The Chimneys, is in Oxley Shaw Lane, Leybourne.
Find out more information here
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