When Rosie Hunter-Rosser’s dad died in a tragic accident in May 2021, she felt she’d lost not only him, but her little boy too.
“Rafe, 9, was really struggling: at school, at home, with his friends. His spark was just gone and we didn’t know how to help. Winston’s Wish provided weekly counselling sessions via his school in Minch and slowly, we got back our happy, wild boy.”
Rosie, an NHS physiotherapist, wanted to support the Cheltenham-based childhood bereavement charity and celebrate the life of her dad, John Hunter, who was also a well-known local vet. Rosie enlisted the support of an army of friends, led by Charlotte Lodge of Keystone Conference and Events Management to hold the Hunter Moon Ball in Stroud last weekend.
Held at the Hill, some 100 guests danced the night away with music from the Shadow Monkeys and Outfit Groove, sponsorship from Murrays Estate Agents and Firestarter Solutions, a raffle and silent auction.
A film made by Rob Bradshaw of Limestone Media featuring Rafe and the work of Winston’s Wish was played to assembled guests.
Mother of three, Rosie, 44, said: “Most of all – out of dark times, I wanted to do something positive and celebratory for my dad. I was blown away by the number of local businesses who donated to our raffle and silent auction – from Nailsworth’s Wilder and Forest Green Rovers to Giffords Circus, Cotswold Gliding Club, Calcot Manor and Don’t Buy Her Flowers. So many of my busy friends gave up their time and let me harness their considerable skills from event management and catering to fundraising and comms, decorating and raffle-wrangling. Most of all – I want to thank everyone who came and supported me and my siblings too.”
