63 Miles for Oli – Dragonflies Foundation

Aim

In memory of our son Oli, who died aged 3, we are launching a charity supporting families caring for children with life-limiting conditions.

🌊 63 Miles for Oli: Launching Dragonflies – The Oli France Foundation

💛 In memory of Oli

In November 2024, our son Oli died just weeks before his fourth birthday.This July, we are walking 63 miles along the South West Coast Path in two days to launch a charity in his memory and raise £20,000 for families facing what we faced.

Oli had a rare genetic brain condition called Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (PCH), a life-limiting condition. He died aged three, leaving behind his big brother Alba, who was five, and his little sister Remi, who was just 18 months old.

🧡 Our life with Oli

Life changed completely after Oli died. Our family life had revolved around him—every day, every decision, every routine shaped by his care. We were in sync as a family, living something that was difficult, intense, and exhausting at times, but also full of love and meaning.

When he died, that centre of everything was gone, and the change is still something we don’t really have words for.

🌿 Why we are doing this

Along the way, we were supported by charities that gave us precious memory-making time as a family. Those days meant more than we can explain. They gave us space away from appointments and uncertainty, and time simply to be together with Oli.

Those memories remain some of the most important we carry, and are a big part of why we are doing this.

🦋 Dragonflies – The Oli France Foundation

This summer we are launching Dragonflies – The Oli France Foundation in Oli’s memory.

Dragonflies, The Oli France Foundation has been created to support families caring for children with short lives.

Our aim is to create meaningful memories, build connections between families, and raise awareness of what life is really like in these circumstances.

🥾 The challenge

On 18th and 19th July, we will walk 63 miles from St Ives to Trevone along the South West Coast Path to mark the launch of the charity.

We chose this route because Trevone was one of Oli’s favourite places. Oli loved being outside and by the sea—he felt completely at ease there, as though he was at one with nature.

When we were there, he was at his most calm and content. It felt like his happiest place. Finishing there feels important to us.

The challenge is significant. Walking 63 miles in two days is physically and mentally demanding, but it is small compared to what many families caring for seriously ill children face every day.

🌊 Oli’s legacy

Oli’s legacy continues in everything we do. In his short life he touched so many people, and he was a very special little boy.

He has changed us as a family in ways we carry every day—how we see the world and how we want to show up in it. He has made us want to do better, do more good, and help others in his name.

💛 How you can help

If you are able to support us, there are a few ways you can help: you can donate, fundraise on our behalf (click here to set up your own fundraiser: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/dragonflies-for-oli/multiply), or simply share our story.

If you’re wondering how your donation can help, here’s what it could contribute towards:

• £10 – contribute to building peer support and memory making
• £25 – run regular events that connect families
• £50 – creates a gift of memory making / sensory box 
• £100 – contributes to creating a meaningful memory experience 
• £250+ – creates a bespoke family memory day

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us take the first steps in building something meaningful in Oli’s name.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting us in remembering Oli.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 28th July 2026 at 12:00pm