One of our wonderful former families is celebrating after taking on a special fundraising challenge to raise money for Cherry Trees!

Disha and her parents Veena and Dayanand tackled the 1km accessible course at Parallel Windsor and have raised well over £2,000 in sponsorship as a way of saying thank you for the support they received.

Disha started staying with us when she was 13 and spent five happy years coming to us on a regular basis.  

Her family say the help they received was “life-changing” for them all, and they wanted to take part in the event as a tribute to Cherry Trees.

Parallel Windsor is a festival of inclusivity with challenge events for all ages, health conditions and abilities. The annual event is held in the grounds of Windsor Great Park, with Windsor Castle as a striking backdrop.

Before Disha started at Cherry Trees, her parents were caring for her round-the-clock and desperately needed a break.

Disha, who is a full-time wheelchair user, has a severe learning disability and cerebral palsy, as well as epilepsy and mild autism.

The family used to have to manage without any support, and Dayanand said the weekends and school holidays were especially tough.

“We were exhausted and feeling helpless, but Cherry Trees gave us a much-required break and support. In fact, it gave us a new life," he said.

“Cherry Trees gave Disha the confidence to thrive, and gave us the strength to carry on.”

Disha is now 29 and lives in supported living accommodation, but her family remain strong supporters of Cherry Trees.

“In our hardest years, Cherry Trees was our light. They believed in Disha and helped her believe in herself,” Dayanand said.

“It wasn’t just respite – it was a turning point. It helped Disha move towards independence, and gave us hope.”

Although this year's Parallel Windsor event didn't deliver the dry, sunny weather the family had hoped for, they braved the elements and completed the course "soaked, smiling and so proud!"

Dayanand said: "A special shout-out to Disha, who coped so well in the rain in her wheelchair – full of determination, strength, and smiles. Her spirit truly inspired us all."

Congratulations Disha, Veena and Dayanand - and a huge thank you from us all at Cherry Trees!

Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the family's sponsorship total can visit their JustGiving page.

If you would like to take part in a challenge event to support Cherry Trees, do take a look at our Challenge Events page to see what opportunities are coming up.