The train, crafted by Paul, the head gardener at Richmond Villages Letcombe Regis, was originally a part of a Christmas display in the retirement village near Wantage. Initially slated for disposal, the train’s fate changed when a suggestion was made to give it a new home.
A post on the Wantage and Grove Facebook page caught the attention of Natasha Beames. Her daughter, Mikayla, is the founder of Team Mikayla, a charity dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children battling cancer.
After visiting the village and observing the train, Natasha offered to make a donation to Richmond Villages’ chosen charity. However, they requested that the funds be directed towards Team Mikayla instead.
Carol, head of activities at Richmond Villages Letcombe Regis, expressed her excitement, stating, “We’re thrilled that this handmade Christmas train has found a meaningful new purpose.”
Mikayla Beames, who has lived with cancer since she was four, was recognized in the King’s New Year Honours list in 2024. She was awarded a British Empire Medal for her contributions to charitable fundraising.
Following the honor, Mikayla remarked on her ongoing mission to “create more and more smiles” for children with cancer, acknowledging the toughness of their journey.
In September 2023, she received further recognition by winning a BBC Make a Difference Award for her fundraising efforts.
For those interested in supporting local causes or learning about events and activities in the area, consider checking out the Wantage business directory.
