Liza Raby has raised over £150,000 for charity thanks to her fundraising efforts for her son Spencer.
A Lincolnshire mum was given a special thank you from one of her favourite TV stars on BBC’s The One Show in recognition of her charity work for adults with learning disabilities.
Liza’s fundraising efforts have raised over £150,000 for good causes including Say Hello, a charity that helps adults with learning disabilities to overcome loneliness and social isolation by supporting inclusive and fun activities in the community.
Liza Raby’s son Spencer has multiple learning disabilities and lives at Home From Home Care in Lincolnshire.
After being surprised by The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright, in her Peterborough hair salon, Spencer’s, Liza was taken to meet a group of her friends, family, clients, colleagues as well as Spencer himself. They then watched a big screen which showed a host of special thank yous, including from The One Show host Alex Jones and TV personality Stacey Solomon, another of Liza’s favourite TV personalities. Liza said:
“It really took me by surprise to see everyone there, especially to see Spencer as it’s difficult to arrange things at short notice.
“I was truly overwhelmed and I need to say a big thank you to all of my clients, as they must be sick of me asking for donations or to get involved in the fundraising, but no one ever complains.
“I have watched the show back lots of times just to take it all in, it really was amazing!”
Liza was nominated for the thank you by her friend and business partner Hannah Lowndes. Hannah said:
“Liza does so much amazing fundraising and raising awareness for adults with special needs. I felt she fully deserved some recognition for everything she does. I thought it was a nice way to say thank you and it was lovely that we could all get together and make it all about Liza for a change. There wasn’t a dry eye in sight!”
Among the host of friends, family and colleagues who thanked Liza for her fundraising was TV personality Stacey Solomon who said:
“I’ve heard all about the amazing work you do in your salon and wanted to say you’re an incredible person and you’ve done yourself, your son and your family so so proud.”
Liza’s fundraising efforts are all for charities supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities, including Say Hello, a charity close to her heart thanks to her son Spencer. Liza said:
“Spencer lives at Home From Home Care and without all of their help and support it would have been a very difficult time for us. To have him settled in such a good establishment is amazing. Home From Home Care has its own charity, Say Hello, so that’s why they’re my nominated charity.
“When Spencer was born everything seemed fine, but as he grew he didn’t gain weight at the expected rate. He didn’t get a diagnosis until he was 19 which turned out to be a rare genetic disorder – UPF3B syndrome. He’s also got a range of other conditions including part of his brain missing. He has severe learning difficulties and needs support 24/7, but I wouldn’t change him for the world!
“I started the fundraising in my salon when Spencer was two years old for a local charity in Brentwood where we lived at the time. Then, when I opened Spencer’s salon in Peterborough I wanted to make a difference in the community so that’s where it all started and we did our first charity ball – and we’re on our 16th this year. We’ve also done naked calendars, virtual bike rides, bingo nights, bake sales, you name it!
“It’s difficult for parents of people with learning disabilities, so we want to make things easier and raise awareness of how challenging it can be as it’s not easy – the support you get is limited and you have to fight for everything. That’s what drives me to keep raising money and awareness.”
Home From Home Care is a family-owned company and is unique among care providers due to its high-tech, data-informed care model that was developed in-house over 13 years to empower its workforce. To find out more about Home from Home Care, including current vacancies, please visit www.homefromhomecare.com.
The next major fundraising event from Liza’s charity committee will be Spencer’s Over the Rainbow Ball on 20 April 2024.
