Help Reuben's Retreat build a LEGO wall

Glossop charity Reuben’s Retreat is launching a new campaign to build a LEGO community wall to celebrate fundraisers’ support for the charity.  

The wall is set to be built in a new wing of the Retreat as the building undergoes redevelopment. 

Reuben's Retreat supports families who have suffered the loss of a child, or who have children living with complex medical needs.  

The charity was founded in 2012 by Nicola Graham, whose son Reuben died from a brain tumour whilst on holiday shortly before his second birthday. 

Following his death, Reuben’s family described an ‘outpouring of love’ towards Reuben’s older brother Isaac – including gifts of LEGO sets to help him navigate his grief through play.  

As Isaac grew older, these LEGO bricks were used in a feature wall built inside the Retreat to celebrate the support the family received after Reuben’s passing.  

“Those that love us want to make us feel better after loss, with each person trying to navigate that all-important question of ‘what can I do?’” Nicola said.  

“Some time ago, now aged 17 and after working together on an article about sibling grief, Isaac turned to me and said, ‘I get it, that’s why people bought me Lego.’” 

Reuben’s Retreat is now launching the ‘Brick by Brick’ campaign, which will allow supporters to become a physical part of the Retreat after the new wing is built.  

The community wall will copy Isaac’s Lego Wall and will celebrate the contributions made to the charity by individuals across the years.  

By donating £123, individuals or businesses can have a name engraved on a genuine LEGO brick which will become a permanent part of the building and put on display for visitors. 

Nicola said: “A brick is a legacy that signifies solid foundations and being part of something – each individual brick part of something larger. 

“Creating this wall in the Retreat, brick by brick, means more than gratitude. It sits within the story of two brothers who had a very different promised future, and the grief and love that now ties them together.  

“Inspired by the kind hearts who thought of Isaac back then and the many siblings we now support, we wanted this to be a solid and everlasting legacy within our precious building as we realise our ultimate vision and ambition for our Retreat.” 

Alongside the ‘Brick by Brick’ campaign, Reuben’s Retreat is also fundraising to #CompleteTheRetreat as part of the One in a Million campaign, with details available on the Reuben’s Retreat website.  

Donations for personalised bricks can be given to the ‘Brick by Brick’ campaign on the Given Gain website.