The Sam Roberts Family Fund proudly supports the Paediatric Palliative Care Service of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which provides care and support for children with life limiting rare diseases and their families in South Australia.
The charity was inspired by Michelle and Martin Roberts, and their three children, Lucy, Sam and Charlie.
Michelle and Martin’s middle boy Sam had just turned 2, when they were given the shattering news that their gorgeous blond haired little boy was terminally ill with a very rare, neurological degenerative condition called Niemann-Pick Disease Type C.
This was when the family began to receive the valuable care and much needed support from the Paediatric Palliative Service of the Women's and Children's Hospital.
The Paediatric Palliative Service aims to enhance the quality of life for each child and supportfor the family.
Their service is about living life to the ‘max’.
The Roberts family fully embraced this notion and so as their little boy was slowly slipping away from them, they decided to celebrate each day of Sam’s short lived life and create many happy and positive memories for Lucy and Charlie of their brother.
Since 2006 over $750,000 has been raised to support projects within the Paediatric Palliative Care Service, including the construction of the Sam Roberts Family Care Room on the 4th floor, and the employment of an Art Therapist.
"Cycle 4 Sam" is the major fund-raising event of The Sam Roberts Family Fund.
View "Shining His Star" (the story of Sam Roberts and Cycle 4 Sam) here
The aims of the Sam Roberts Family Fund
Since 2006 over $750,000 has been raised to support projects within the Paediatric Palliative Care Service, including the construction of the Sam Roberts Family Care Room on the 4th floor, and the employment of an Art Therapist. Our aims are:
To provide funding for the Paediatric Palliative Care service, to care for children with rare diseases and their families in South Australia.
To provide support for the siblings and parents of children with rare diseases in South Australia.
To provide awareness of the broad range of rare diseases which cause life limiting illnesses and their impact on the family.
Fund-raising goals in 2021
To continue the suppport of an Art Therapist.
To continue the support of Laklinyeri, the Beach House/ Holiday Style Respite Facility at Encounter Bay used by families in South Australia who have a child with a rare disease. This was completed in May 2019. Cycle 4 Sam was proud to be a project partner in its construction. Click HERE to read about this magnificent facility.