04/08/2025
“Cherry’s Mission: From Grief to Growth — Honouring My Brother’s Dream with a Safe and Caring Space for All.”
Hello everyone,
I hope you’re all doing well as you read this.
My name is Cherry, a mum of four children based in London, originally from Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines.
This is a short—or perhaps long—story behind why I’m raising funds for this mission.
My younger brother Mark and I used to chat a lot about starting something small but meaningful in our village. We dreamed of having regular community activities like gardening and a small cafeteria for the elderly. We saw the real need, especially because our mother has been serving as the President of the Senior Citizens group in our village, Matubog, for over a decade.
We have a large piece of land that our family is offering to use for free—just waiting to be transformed for a greater purpose.
Years ago, my brother opened up to me about how emotionally and financially difficult it was for parents of children with special needs in our area, especially with the lack of safe, inclusive spaces.
Mark has a son with Autism. Since his son was young, both he and his wife did everything they could to make ends meet and ensure their child grew up with the support he needed. Unfortunately, most of the accessible education for children like my nephew is private, and public schools don’t offer much support. As many of us know, children who are neurodivergent often struggle in traditional classroom setups, which is why some don’t attend school full-time—or at all.
My nephew is blessed to have learned to play the keyboard, and he always bonded with his dad while working on his motorcycle—a simple but powerful connection.
As someone who works with children and is also raising a stepson diagnosed with ASD at an early age, I deeply understand where my brother was coming from.
On one difficult night during a call, he opened up about how overwhelmed and hopeless he felt—he even said he wished to die.
As his big sister, hearing that broke me. I’ve supported and prayed with many parents who have felt the same through my work and volunteer activities here in the UK. But hearing it from your own family, your own beloved brother—it hits differently. I was frozen in silence, trying to think of the best thing to say. All I could tell him was:
“I’m listening. I’m here. I know life is tough… but there is hope.”
He struggled with some bad habits like smoking and drinking, which started at an early age, and he also turned to online games as an escape. He was even scammed, and we had to deal with loan sharks—but we managed to overcome it together.
We all fight different battles. And sometimes, support systems aren’t there when you need them most—even if you have the money, the real challenge is often what’s going on in your mind and heart.
What we do have, and what gave us strength, is our relationship with God—a constant reminder that no matter how heavy our problems feel or who we are, we are loved.
As time passed and the stress, pressure, and burnout as a full-time carer grew heavier, my brother started to feel like he wasn’t giving his best to his son.
He once asked me if we could create something he and his son could do together.
Sadly, that dream will now have to live on without him.
I once invited him to come to the UK, but he simply said:
“I can’t leave my son with anyone else.”
He wouldn’t even last a week here, he said. If his son called, he would fly home immediately.
Though they had to start living separately not long ago, Mark and his son were inseparable since birth. When Mark’s in-laws returned and retired from working overseas, he tried to train himself and his son for longer separations—but it wasn’t easy.
Both of them struggled with separation anxiety, which worsened Mark’s depression and self-esteem.
He even ignored his high blood pressure symptoms and never got checked—despite us having a doctor as a next-door neighbour.
So, I’m now on the mission that his hopes and dreams will go somewhere in real.
It is very important to have health awareness and relaxing place to recharge, socialise, even a place to pray together and laugh in face to face not just online with people in the local community.
I’m focusing on community area in our village where there is a garden In memory of my late younger brother Mark. This will be open for public, to elderly people it will be a place to together on a weekday morning for a free coffee and bread and enjoy local residents company and volunteers who will help to make this much better for everyone.
Most importantly is to have safe place for parents sit and have a coffee break. Also with a little play area for children to enjoy.
MISSION:
We hope to create a warm and meaningful space that includes:
• A small pavilion with a kitchen for
• Weekly (or more frequent) free meals for the elderly and those in need
• Free coffee and bread corner (Kape at Pandesal or Monay)
• A community garden where villagers can plant, grow, and harvest together
• A safe, inclusive area for parents to sit and have a break while kids enjoy and play at the playground corner.
• Monthly free health checks (blood pressure, blood sugar), run by volunteer medical professionals inline with our local health department services.
He was known for his gentle, bubbly, and kind personality—someone who would never start a fight, always choosing peace and compassion. His presence brought comfort and joy to those around him, and his memory continues to inspire us every day.
Sadly, my brother passed away due to intracranial hemorrhage in the ponto-mesencephalic region. Before he died, I made a promise to him — that I would carry on his vision. This project is my way of honouring that promise and continuing the work he cared so much about.
Ark Angel Atragi
I’m reaching out with a humble heart to raise funds for a community space project in our village back home. This cause is very personal to me — it’s a dream I once shared with my late younger brother, and now I’m working to make it a reality in his memory.
I know there are many important causes out there, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to read about ours. If you feel moved to help, please consider donating and sharing this campaign.
Every little bit goes a long way.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Warmly regards,
Cherry
https://gofund.me/677d340d
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***Tagalog Translations***
https://gofund.me/677d340d
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Y9WZaXDEQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
