For those living with a life-threatening illness, every day deserves to be treated as precious. Sadly the stress and difficult realities of diagnosis and treatment mean that it’s all too easy to forget that life is here to be lived.

The Willow Foundation is a national charity, based in Hertfordshire, that provides quality of life and quality of time through special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds. The charity was set up by Arsenal legend, Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs in memory of their daughter who died of cancer aged just 31. Special days can be anything from a pampering spa day, hot air balloon flight or sightseeing trip to London to a premiership football match, pop concert or family break at Center Parcs.

Above all, these special days give people living with life threatening conditions a break from the stresses of hospital visits and treatment, a chance to feel ‘normal’ and to create precious memories with loved ones.

To date, the charity has provided almost 6,000 morale-boosting special days. Going from just 17 special days in Hertfordshire in its first year, the Willow Foundation will provide almost 1,500 in 2010 to 16 to 40 year olds living with cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy, organ failure and Huntington’s, amongst other conditions.

How can you help?

There are many ways that you can help the charity, from volunteering at events or in the Hertfordshire office, to raising money by holding a coffee morning, doing a sponsored activity, or donating goods or services. These are just a few ideas, there are so many more ways to help.

Calling all Arsenal fans

You’re invited to a dinner with the Arsenal Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final heroes on Thursday 18 February 2010 at the Hilton London Metropole.

After years without trophy success, the glory days returned to Highbury in dramatic style for Bertie Mee’s side with a thrilling victory in the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final.

Relive the memories of the Fairs Cup Final with the club legends who overcame a first leg two goal deficit, with a 3 - 0 home win over Anderlecht, to secure Arsenal’s first European Trophy in club history.

Join Gunners’ legends including skipper Frank McLintock, Charlie George, George Graham, Peter Marinello, Sammy Nelson, John Radford, John Roberts and Bob Wilson at this reunion of the ‘Stars of ‘70’.

The evening will include a three course meal with starter wine and a ‘question & answer’ session with the ‘Stars of ‘70’. Tickets are £75 per person, £750 per table of ten or £1,500 per table of ten with one of the ‘Stars of ‘70’ at the table.