Ryan lives in Plymouth with his wife and 5 children.
Family life changed when their son Ethan, aged 11 was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and Epilepsy.
In May 2016, Ethan and his family were referred to Little Harbour children’s hospice in St Austell, a moment that would become a lifeline during some of their most difficult times. A few months later, in August 2016, Ethan made his very first visit to the hospice, where the family found not only specialist care for Ethan, but also comfort, understanding, and the chance to simply spend precious time together.
The family access frequent day visits as well as overnight stays, regular check-ins, and support for all children, including Ryan’s young twins, who take part in the young carers programme.
The hospice has always been there,” Ryan says. For as long as I can remember.
But Ryan’s connection to the hospice started long before Ethan was born.
As a teenager, Ryan would visit Children’s Hospice South West’s Little Bridge House in Barnstaple with his brother Gregory, who had been supported by the hospice from the age of 4.
Gregory is now 30, but Ryan still remembers the vital support that he received from the sibling support team at the hospice. He recalls trips out, laughter and moments that helped make difficult times feel lighter.
So when Ethan needed support, the hospice was there again.
For the whole family, it is the little things that mean the most; the pool, the soft play areas, Ryan getting to watch all 5 children laugh together, exploring the grounds or heading to the nearby beach.
It’s where we can just be a family, a place here we make memories.
As Ethan’s epilepsy can be unpredictable, his family find comfort in knowing support is always there when they need it.
“If something happens and I am not sure what to do, I can call and they understand.
"That kind of support takes away a lot of worry. It’s a lifeline for us.”
Wanting to give something back, Ryan signed up for the hospice’s ‘56 in February’ fundraising challenge. Participants were asked to take on something involving the number 56, and for Ryan, the idea came easily.
He decided to game for 56 hours.
Gaming has always been more than just a hobby for Ryan. It has helped him connect with others, build online friendships, and gain confidence through streaming while creating a strong sense of community.
After seeing the challenge on Facebook, Ryan signed up straight away. Friends, family, and online followers all got behind him and even members of the hospice team joined his streams to cheer him on.
By the end of the challenge, Ryan had raised more than £200.
“It makes you realise people do care,” he says. “That they want to help.”
When Ryan heard about CHSW’s upcoming Summer Games initiative, he didn’t hesitate to get involved.
For Ryan, it’s about more than fundraising. It’s about giving something back to a place that has supported his family for generations, while raising awareness to help more people understand what the hospice does.
“I just want to keep going,” he says.
And for anyone thinking about taking part, Ryan’s message is simple:
“It’s an important charity. It supports families like mine and children who really need it."
When you experience first-hand the support the hospice provide, you understand how much it matters.
"If you can be part of that, even in a small way, it’s worth it.”
For Ryan, the hospice has never been just a place. It has been part of his life for as long as he can remember, through childhood, through difficult times and now through raising a family of his own.
And this summer, he wants to help make sure it can be there for other families too.
Ryan regularly shares his fundraising journey and gaming challenges online through his Twitch channel, Nervousguy12, and TikTok account, Nervousguy11, where he continues to raise awareness and support for Children's Hospice South West.