Little Rhiannon Greatwood is only six years old, but cruelly, she has already had to experience the loss of one of her closest friends. Rhiannon was attending the same school as little Sam Puttick, from Westbury, Wiltshire, who died in May 2009. Sam had suffered a spinal cord injury when he was just 16 months old – that had left him paralysed from the neck down. His body was severely weakened by the injury, and when he contracted meningitis aged five, unfortunately it proved fatal.

Rhiannon, together with her mum Clare, decided she wanted to find a way to celebrate Sam’s short life and at the same time raise funds for Sam’s Fund for Spinal Research – the charity Sam and his family had so enthusiastically supported.

They settled on a balloon release. The balloons were freed on New Year’s Day 2010 in Westbury and this is what Clare said to us: ‘After the balloon release, we have had a balloon come back all the way from France and also, spookily, the first one we received back was the one Rhi sent up for Sam!Rhiannon misses Sam so much, I think this will help her grieve for him.’

The balloon release raised around £700 which is an amazing result. But Clare and Rhiannon aren’t done yet, as Clare explained: ‘Our next fund raising event is already taking shape, we are hoping to do a tombola over 3 days at a local agricultural show at the end of may over the bank holiday. We have started gathering prizes already!’

Well done Rhiannon and Clare – you are amazing!

For more info on our activities in the Wiltshire area, or if you would like to organise your own event for Sam’s Fund please e-mail Michelle.

You can also:

Make a donation to Sam's Fund

Take part in a challenge for Sam's Fund