Archived News

Soap Stars' soccer for WellChild

Stars from the small screen and the soap opera world will turn out in force on July 24 to support a special soccer match at the Dovecote Stadium in Shepshed, Leicestershire in aid of WellChild.

The match and fun-day has been organised by Recognition Express managing director and WellChild supporter Nigel Toplis.

The event is taking place at the Dovecote Stadium, usually the home to Shepshed Dynamo FC, when the star studded M1 Soaplife Celebrity team including winner of this year’s best soap actor Danny Miller from Emmerdale, will take on Nigel’s team of top businessmen. Kick off is at 2.00pm but the celebrities will be signing autographs beforehand – so get there early! Find out more about the M1 Charity football team here.

Organiser Nigel Toplis said: “The aim is to raise as much money as possible for WellChild and the Soaplife team’s charity the Shannon Bradshaw Trust and that is exactly what we intend to do.”

With the event just a few days away the finishing touches are being put to the programme and one of the star attractions will be former Manchester United and Oldham striker Andy Ritchie.

Premiership referee Kevin Friend and two top level assistant referees have agreed to officiate the game.

There will be eight signed footballs on the day which can be sponsored for £250 each and a series of raffle prizes including a signed England shirt. There are also 500 special T shirts being printed for the day which will be signed by the stars taking part and then sold for £5 a piece.

In addition to Andy Ritchie and Danny Miller, stars who have agreed to take place include Emmerdale co-star Adam Thomas, Anthony Quinlan from Hollyoaks and Lucien Leon from Waterloo Road along with Elliot Tittensor from Shameless.

Nigel’s team aims to raise at least £5,000 for WellChild. M1 Soaplife celebrities will be playing to raise money for its nominated charity, the Shannon Bradshaw Trust which helps children and their families in the North West cope with life-threatening illnesses.

Mr Toplis has been supporting the work of WellChild for almost a decade and has personally helped to raise a staggering £40,000. His exploits have included a gruelling bike ride in China and a successful attempt to reach the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The 53-year-old said: “I was first asked to get involved by my friend and solicitor John Pratt and when I looked into I realised what fantastic work the charity does.

“I have always felt it is important to put something back into society and I have always been happy to do what I can. The climb up Kilimanjaro was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life but the sense of achievement and the money we raised made it all worthwhile.”

He added: “We always get fantastic support and WellChild would not be able to do all the great work it does without the public’s support.

“We are organising what is going to be a great day out and people can come along and enjoy themselves and raise money for a fantastic cause at the same time.”

People can support the event simply by turning up as spectators or through a series of sponsorship opportunities, they can even pay for the privilege of playing against the celebrities. There will also be a hog roast and plenty of entertainment.

 

David's long trek for WellChild

WellChild supporter David Warmley will be putting his best foot forward for WellChild next month when he takes part in a marathon walk to help sick children.

Dave will walk from John O’Groats down the full length of Britain to Bournemouth on the South coast. He intends to set off on his trek on July 12 and expects to take around five or six weeks to complete it.

Dave said: “I will be walking from the John O'Groats, the northernmost part of Scotland to Bournemouth pier entirely on foot to raise money for WellChild, a charity that helps sick children across the UK.

“I will be taking with me all the supplies I need and will be going with no money, phone, travel tickets or access to cash. If I am unsuccessful in this, I will DOUBLE any donation made.  I will be going on 12th July and hope to be able to make it back by the end of August.

“Please donate anything you can, it is for a good cause.”

WellChild Senior Fundraiser Michael Bowdich said: “Well done to David on his fantastic walk to help WellChild. He can be sure all the money he raises will go to help seriously ill children and their families across the UK.”

If you would like to support David Warmley on his remarkable walk by donating to WellChild then visit his justgiving page here.

 

 

Scouting for Girls racehorse to be auctioned for WellChild

Pop band Scouting for Girls have had a race horse named in their honour and a day’s ownership of the horse will be auctioned on behalf of the band, who are WellChild Celebrity Ambassadors, to raise money for our work with sick children.

The band will play at Epsom Racecourse on July 14 and a two year old horse which is running its first race at the meeting has been named Scouting For Girls in their honour.  The horse’s trainer Jim Boyle is auctioning ownership of the horse of the day on EBay and the money raised will be split between WellChild and The Samson Centre which helps Multiple Sclerosis sufferers.

The organizers of the auction say: "Have you ever fancied being a racehorse owner for a night? Well now you can, and so much more! We are offering the winning bidder in our charity auction the chance to own the two year old racehorse called Scouting For Girls for the evening of July 14 when he will be racing at Epsom Downs racecourse.

“However, there's a twist - on that evening, the fantastic band Scouting For Girls are playing a concert after racing. The winners package will start with a Champagne reception at South Hatch Stables where Scouting For Girls (the horse!) is in training with Jim Boyle. The winner will be given six owners badges for the races and taken up to the course in time for the first race. They will then go into the parade ring to watch the horse being saddled up and speak to the jockey and trainer to discuss tactics.

“Scouting For Girls (the band!) will also come down to the parade ring to meet the owners. They will also be providing loads of signed merchandise and some free guest passes to a concert of the winner’s choice later in the year. Any prize-money won will be split 50/50 between the owners and the charities being supported. After the race the owners will once again have the chance to have a chat with the jockey and trainer before enjoying the rest of the evenings racing and a fabulous concert afterwards.

“This is a truly unique opportunity to become a racehorse owner for the evening at one of the UK's premier tracks, and also get to meet one of the UK's finest bands, watch them in concert and get your hands on some fantastic signed merchandise and gig tickets. Not only that, but you will be supporting two fantastic charities in WellChild, who help sick children and their families across the UK, and The Samson Centre which is a specialist centre set up to help sufferers from the debilitating disease Multiple Sclerosis."

Find out more about the auction, and how you can take part here.

 

InterContinental team's 10K triumph

The InterContinental Hotel in Park Lane, London support WellChild as their chosen charity and recently a team from the hotel ran the London 10K race, raising £3637.98 to aid us in our work to help seriously ill children.

Kirsten from the InterContinental team said: “Lively, rewarding and a ton of fun: just a few things that spring to mind from our team fundraising experience for WellChild at InterContinental London Park Lane. We are incredibly proud of the money we have raised for our official charity and of the personal feats achieved through running the Bupa London 10K.

“I always knew my colleagues were high-spirited and fun-loving, but the competition that ensued in both the fundraising and running stakes was worthy of an Olympic team! Fortunately, once race day arrived, it was all high fives on the course and crossing the finish line hand-in-hand. I can't recommend it highly enough, the fact that we now have a group of running addicts ready to start fundraising all over again says it all."

Find out more about the InterContinental here.

 

Mothercare provides a Helping Hands donation

The independent charity of Britain’s number one specialist retailer for mums-to-be and parents of young children, the Mothercare Group Foundation has recently provided a very generous donation of £10,000 to WellChild.

The money donated will specifically be allocated towards funding the WellChild Helping Hands projects, set up to provide practical support to children living with long term health conditions and the families that care for them. This is the second donation the Mothercare Group Foundation has made to these projects, having previously given £10,000 in 2010.

The Helping Hands project programme was set up by WellChild in 2007 and has since helped many families across the UK in assisting with one off home improvement projects, such as a garden or bedroom makeovers. The majority of these transformations are essential given that children may not have a room adapted for their specialist needs or even have safe access to their own outdoor space. With the assistance of companies close to the individual families and the fantastic volunteer teams involved WellChild are able to make a huge difference to these children’s day to day lives living at home. The donation from Mothercare will go towards helping more families receive these projects and enhancing the lives of sick children.

Trustee of the Mothercare Foundation Group, Karren Brady has also been a massive support to WellChild for a number of years as an ambassador.

Simone Spencer-Ahmed, Charity Administrator for the Mothercare Group Foundation said: “It is great that we are able to provide this donation to WellChild and the Helping Hands projects. These projects obviously have a massive impact on the lives of sick children and their families and we feel honoured to be able to be involved in this process and create a happier home environment for those who have already gone through so much.”

The Mothercare Group Foundation provides grants to other registered charities helping to ensure the good health and well-being of mums-to-be, new mums, babies and young children, with a particular focus on premature babies and those requiring other specialist care.

 

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted to accept this very generous donation from the Mothercare Group Foundation which will have a huge impact on the Helping Hands projects and supporting families. With more children being diagnosed with long term health conditions it is essential that they have a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in which to live, which is ultimately what these projects are all about.”

 

Family Fun raises over £2000 for sick children at Ozleworth Open Day

WellChild held a fantastic day among the beautiful surroundings of Ozleworth Park Estate on Sunday June 5 to raiseover £2000 for children across the UK who daily manage the consequences of serious illness and long term health conditions.

The beautiful 12 acre gardens near Wotton-Under-Edge became even more colourful for the day when many WellChild pink t-shirts invited the public to take a look around the stunning landscaped grounds of Ozleworth Park Estate which have been restored over a period of 12 years by the owners Mr and Mrs Stone.

The afternoons wet weather did little to dampen the spirits of those attending – including the 11 foot WellChild mascot Nessa the Nurse, who also got involved with the many other activities on offer including the welly wanging competition. Also in attendance were farmers market, craft stalls, a traditional ice cream van along with an exciting ‘bug hunt’ for the kids while their parents relaxed with tea and home made cake listening to the live music being played. All was captured on camera by Craig Derrick Photography who very kindly attended free of charge to WellChild, see their website here.

WellChild Events Manager, Laura Milne said;

 “Despite the unpredictable weekend weather the event was a real success. We had lots of families attend who entered into the spirit of the day, wondering around the stunning Ozleworth gardens, looking over the great stalls and finishing off by sampling the tea and array of cakes on offer. A huge thank you to all who came, as well as all of the gardeners, volunteers and fantastic organisers who made the day so great - all played their part in helping WellChild raise so much to help sick children and their families across the country.”

Although WellChild’s work to support seriously ill children and young people takes place right across the UK, many of its activities and fundraising events take place in and around the Gloucestershire area due to the charity’s base being right in the heart of Cheltenham.

 

Great support from Tamworth Soroptimists

The ladies of the Soroptimists International, Tamworth, have chosen to support WellChild as one of their charities of the year this year.

This year’s President of SI Tamworth, Jackie Edwards, recently invited Michael Bowdich from WellChild to give a talk to the group at one of their monthly dinners about the work WellChild does for seriously ill children and their families in the UK.

Now the group is hard at work raising money for WellChild and for Acorns children’s hospice.

Already the group has held a fundraising event at a local school fayre as you can see from this picture.

Michael Bowdich said: “We are delighted that the members of SI Tamworth have decided to raise funds for WellChild this year and they can be sure the money they raise will be well used in our programmes of care, support and research across the UK.”

 

 

Win vitamin tablets in our great competition

Here’s your chance to win a year’s supply of the WellKid chewable vitamin supplement in a competition which comes courtesy of our kind supporters at Vitabiotics.

Each great tasting chewable WellKid tablet provides a comprehensive range of 21 essential nutrients including Omega-3, vitamins A, C, D, E and the minerals magnesium, iron and zinc to help safeguard your child’s nutritional intake.

You can find more about WellKid products at the website here

To be in with a chance of winning a year’s supply, simply answer the following question:

How may essential nutrients can be found in each great tasting WellKid chewable tablet?

Please send your answer by email to: info@wellchild.org.uk by the closing date of Friday June 10 and the winning entry will be drawn at random.

 

 

First Scholarship is awarded

 

WellChild and the  Association of British Paediatric Nurses (ABPN) have announced that their first joint £1000 nursing scholarship has been made to Sharon Levy and the Telemedicine Nurse Specialist team in Tayside.  

The focus of the scholarship is on projects directly linked to improving the care of children and young people in the community. The Tayside team is using the opportunities that Telemedicine provides in supporting the care of children with palliative care needs at home especially those that live remotely. They are evaluating the benefits of using this technology to interact with families so that expert medical care can be provided whilst the children remain in the supportive environment of their family home.

The families are not only adapting to using technology in this way but are already making considerable time savings in travelling to hospital appointments This joint WellChild/ABPN scholarship will be used to develop the technology currently available in Tayside such as buying a dedicated communication tool with 3G connectivity to improve the families’ ability to benefit from this service from the comfort of their own homes.

Sharon Levy, Telemedicine Nurse Specialist with NHS 24, said:  “Thank you for the wonderful opportunity you have given us nurses, and the children for whom we care. We plan to use the money to advance care for CYP and families in Tayside and embrace 21st century technology as core part of the care delivery process”.  

Pictured in our photo are, left to right are Sharon Levy, Rory Farrelly, President of the ABPN, Gaye Steel, paediatric oncology nurse specialist, Sandy Watson, Chairman of NHS Tayside and Marie Christie, CLIC Sargent nurse specialist.

 

CODS will be singing the praises of WellChild

The Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society has chosen WellChild as its charity for the year.

The society has kindly agreed to promote WellChild and collect money for us at some of their shows to help with our work of care, support and research for seriously ill children and their families.

The next show the society will be putting on is Roald Dahl's Danny, The Champion of the World.  The show opens on Wednesday May 18 at The Playhouse Cheltenham and runs till Saturday May 21.  Evening performances are at 7pm and so are very accessible to children.  There is also a matinee at 2pm on Saturday May 21.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “I would like to thank the members of the Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society for supporting WellChild in this way.

"We really appreciate the support we get from the community in Gloucestershire to help us with our work and it’s fantastic to have CODS backing us.”

Find out more about CODS at their website here.

 

Fab frogs raise money for sick kids

Keen fishermen John Cheyne and Gary Palmer hopped to it with a brilliant and inventive way to raise money for WellChild.

They held a pike fishing event in Wales dressed as frogs – which are usually the pike’s favourite food, and you can see the result from our pictures. The Frogzilla Froggy Frogathon as it was known was a huge success.

John explains how the idea came about: “The Frogzilla Froggy Frogathon was inspired by having a few laughs while out in the boat lure fishing in Wales. Gary and I were flipping frog lures onto the lily pads trying to catch a pike or two, when one of us suggested that we ought to come back and dress up as frogs ourselves one day.

“Although it was just a joke, the idea stuck and so we decided it would be a great idea to arrange a fun fishing event for Lure Anglers Society members and call it "Frogzilla".

"What's more we are determined to fish the entire event dressed as frogs!”

Their efforts were sponsored and you can donate money to help WellChild through their justgiving website here. And you can read more about the Frogzilla event here.

 

 

Latest WellChild Nurse in South and West Wales

Seriously ill children and young people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are to benefit from the latest addition to the unique and growing team of WellChild Children's Nurses which continues to spread across the UK.

New WellChild Nurse Lynda McMahon is now in post at the Hywel Dda Health Board and is focusing on helping seriously ill children with complex health needs to leave hospital and return home with the care and treatment they need.

Lynda is part of the Children’s Development Team in the region which has a population of around 375,000 and will work with families to arrange and co-ordinate the care needed for children to live at home, in addition to providing emotional and practical support.

Hywel Dda Health Board welcomed the new post, saying: “We are delighted that, thanks to WellChild, we can now provide this invaluable service to help minimise what might otherwise be unnecessarily lengthy stays in hospital.

"It is hard to imagine how overwhelming it can be for a family to cope with the continual demands involved with having a sick child. Now we can remove the additional stresses placed on them when their child is separated from family and friends for long periods.”

Watch an ITV Wales film on the launch of the new WellChild Children's Nurse in Hywel Dda here.

 

World record barbecue success for WellChild supporters

WellChild as supporter Braham Snyman and his friends have been successful in their attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest barbecue ever held. The team smashed the existing record by 2.5 hours - setting a new record of 31 hours!

To set a new world record Braham and his friends had to grill sausages and flip burgers day and night for an incredible to beat the existing Guinness record barbecue of 28 and a half hours which was set by a South African in Cape Town last year.

Well done to the guys who have raised more than £700 for WellChild with their cooking marathon.

Read more on their facebook page here.

 

London Marathon 2011 a fabulous event for WellChild

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The London Marathon 2011 was a fabulous event for WellChild with around 130 runners supporting the charity and braving warm conditions to race around the 26 mile course through the heart of the capital.

A special mention goes to Rob Schooling from Warrington who completed the marathon for WellChild wearing our Nessa the Nurse mascot costume for the second time. Nessa weighs more than two stone and is one of the tallest mascots in the marathon at nearly 12 feet tall.

Also among the WellChild runners was Helen Nutter, who had her 18th birthday on the day of the marathon – making her the youngest competitor in this year’s event.

WellChild was also well represented at the event by teams of enthusiastic and noisy volunteers who stood at cheer points along the route to give our runners loud support as they ran by. After the event there was a reception for WellChild runners at the Sports Café in central London.

 

 

Nessa is a star at the Expo

WellChild mascot Nessa the Nurse is a star of the show at the Virgin London Marathon Expo. WellChild's huge mascot currently sits proudly on display on the Adidas stand along with some of the other famous mascots who have run the race in recent years.

This year Rob Schooling from Warrington will be running as Nessa for the second time, carrying her two stone weight around the 26 mile course as he tries to break his record for completing the marathon as Nessaof five hours

which he set in 2009.

 

SACA bike ride will benefit WellChild for the second year

WellChild has been chosen to benefit from the SACA Charity Bike Ride in 2011 for the second year running.

SACA, a charity organisation formed by the Sikh community, has run the cycle ride from Birmingham to London every year since 1989 and in 2011 they have again decided to donate the proceeds to WellChild to help with our work for seriously ill children and their families.

The ride, which involves months of planning, attracts cyclists from all over the country and the route starts at Smethwick in Birmingham and goes to Southall in London over two days with an overnight stop. This year it will take place on Saturday July 23 and Sunday July 24, 2011 and the ride will be followed by a parade and an open-air picnic.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted that the members of SACA have again decided to support us with their bike ride. It is a fantastic event and will really help us in our work of care, support and research to improve the lives of seriously ill children and their families.”

See more about the SACA ride here.

 

Energy community comes together for WellChild

London’s energy and trading community came together under the Platts “big top” on the evening of Thursday April 7 in support of WellChild at the circus-themed, black-tie Energy Dinner. The eighth-annual event raised more than £180,000 for WellChild's work with seriously ill children and their families. Photos from the Energy Dinner can be found here

“We’re proud to be a part of this important charity event and extremely pleased to see both the attendance and the donations continue to grow year after year in support of sick children, their families and the nurses who help them,” said Vera Blei, editorial director of European/Asian power at Platts, a leading global energy and metals information provider and Energy Dinner sponsor since 2004. “Last night’s proceeds will support a range of WellChild initiatives including its research, the WellChild Nurses team and its Helping Hands scheme, a program that bridges the gap between home and hospital, ensuring that family homes and community buildings are ready for young people once they leave hospital.”

Complete with acrobats in harlequin-chic, the sold-out event was held at London’s Park Lane InterContinental Hotel and was attended by members of the energy industry from such firms as Statoil, Chevron, CME Group, Gazprom, HETCO, IntercontinentalExchange and Morgan Stanley, among others.

“We are delighted to have the continued support of Platts and the energy industry through this annual dinner, an event which has raised more than £1 million towards our support for seriously ill children in the U.K. over the past few years,” said Colin Dyer, WellChild chief executive. “Many, many more companies working within the energy sector have followed Platts’ lead in supporting WellChild through this event which has become a very important part of our fundraising activity. The generosity of those companies and the individuals who attend the Platts-sponsored Energy Dinner has made a very real impact on our work.”

 

New WellChild Nurse launched in Ayrshire and Arran

The new WellChild Nurse post for NHS Ayrshire & Arran in Scotland has been launched. Our new WellChild Children’s Nurse, Aileen Crichton will be helping seriously ill children with long term and complex health needs across the region to leave hospital and return home to their families with the care and treatment they need.

Aileen will be based on the Children’s Unit at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock to support families in the region by working closely with colleagues within the integrated children’s services in NHS Ayrshire & Arran. The WellChild Children’s Nurse will arrange and coordinate the care needed for children with complex health conditions to live at home as well as providing emotional and practical support for the whole family. Aileen was most recently a Community Paediatric Nurse working with children with life-limiting, life-threatening and complex medical conditions and devoted much of her early career to working in children’s hospital wards. She therefore brings considerable expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges faced when transferring a child from hospital into the community.

In those parts of the UK where there is still no WellChild Children’s Nurse to provide a dedicated link between all the health professionals and different services required to care for a child with complex health needs, children can remain in hospital for months, even years, when it is better for their emotional and physical wellbeing to be at home with their families. It can also be more cost efficient to care for a child at home than in hospital. The WellChild Nurses’ programme was established to address this clear gap in the provision of care and support for sick children with long-term serious illness and complex conditions.

Children who have serious illnesses and complex conditions will benefit from the service provided by the new WellChild Children’s Nurse. Baby Caitlin was born with a serious heart condition which required her to have major operations such as a heart and lung bypass when only a few weeks old. Following this she needed complex medical care and support which made it difficult for her parents, who live with her older brother on the Isle of Cumbrae some distance from the hospital, to coordinate her discharge home. Caitlin’s father Stephen said: “I believe this area will really benefit from having a WellChild Children’s Nurse. It would have been a great help to us to have had one person there to communicate between all the different doctors and nurses.”

WellChild’s pilot Children’s Nurse programme began in 2006, and the success of that pilot has resulted in the creation of permanent posts in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cumbria, Liverpool, London and Oxford with a new post starting in 2011 in the Hywel Dda NHS trust in Wales.

WellChild continues to fundraise to add to its team so that long-term sick children across the United Kingdom will benefit from these services. WellChild’s programme ensures that each new nurse appointment has a long-lasting impact. A WellChild Children’s Nurse post costs approximately £55,000 a year, and the charity provides funding for the first three years. The relevant local health service providers should then continue that post’s funding and management are asked to guarantee an on-going legacy of care.

Linda Partridge, WellChild’s Director of Programmes, said: “We have worked to make sure that the essential service now provided by WellChild Children’s Nurses in regions of the UK have a long-reaching impact. Our target is for every seriously ill child or young person to have access to a WellChild Children’s Nurse, and I am delighted that we have now been able to extend that support into this region of Scotland.”

WellChild’s research demonstrates that at any one time there are 100s of children who have been in hospital for more than three months. Many of these children have spent the majority of their lives sleeping in wards rather than bedrooms and, because of all the specialist care they need, they are unable to join their parents and siblings even for key family events such as birthdays and Christmas. WellChild is running a campaign, in conjunction with the Royal College of Nursing, to explore the issues around improving care for children with complex health needs at home.

Jean Davies is the Senior Paediatric Nurse in Children's Services for NHS Ayrshire & Arran and is based in Crosshouse Hospital. She commented: “The new WellChild Nurse is a welcome initiative in a series of developments to improve the fully integrated children’s services we now provide in NHS Ayrshire & Arran. By working alongside children, young people and their families in hospital and at home the WellChild Children’s Nurse will provide them with the vital personal support they need. Care can be arranged closer to home and families helped to access the excellent services already in place in this area. We are committed to ensuring the long-term funding of this invaluable post which exemplifies all we are striving to achieve for children’s health services in Ayrshire and Arran.”

 

Bar & Wok welcomes in the Chinese New Year with WellChild

Cheltenham restaurant Bar & Wok held a fabulous fundraising dinner to bring in the Chinese New Year, which raised £900 for WellChild’s work with seriously ill children and their families.

Pak Wai Hung, owner of the Bar & Wok, in Cheltenham’s High Street, organised the eight course buffet on behalf of WellChild.  His regular clients, friends and family were invited to join him to raise money and the event was a huge success.

Karl Gwilliam of WellChild attended and spoke about the charity’s work of care, support and research, looking after seriously ill children across the UK.

He said: “Many thanks to Pak and Bar & Wok for a fantastic evening with excellent food and for raising so much on behalf of WellChild.  A special thanks goes to all who donated raffle prizes but especially Scott Garfield of Bablake Wines and to Denys Shortt of DCS Europe for his very generous donation."

Find more about Bar & Wok here.

 

 

World record barbecue attempt for WellChild

A world record attempt is being made in London this year to help raise funds for WellChild as supporter Braham Snyman and his friends attempt to break the Guinness world record for the longest barbecue ever held.

To set a new world record Braham and his friends will have to grill sausages and flip burgers day and night for an incredible 30 hours in order to beat the existing Guinness record barbecue of 28 and a half hours which was set by a South African in Cape Town last year.

The attempt is scheduled to take place at PlayOn Sports, Canary Wharf, London starting at Saturday April 16 at 11am and running right through to 7pm on Sunday April 17 which will coincide with the London Marathon which goes past Canary Wharf. 

There will be a party atmosphere at the event with live bands performing on the Saturday afternoon until late and a raffle on Sunday with great prizes to be won, from a villa for a week in Florida USA, to a three burner gas BBQ. Also on Sunday there will be a prize for the best fancy dress costume.

Event organiser Braham Snyman said: “Come and join us for a 30 hour plus party, with great food and music. Treat yourself to a barbecue feast and a few cold ones because watching the London Marathon can be exhausting!”

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted that Braham and the rest of the gang are organising this event to help WellChild. It is a really inventive and different way to raise money and we hope it is a big success and that they bring the world barbecue record to the UK! They can be sure that all the money raised for WellChild at the event will be well used in helping seriously ill children and their families across the UK.”

Firms who are kindly sponsoring the world barbecue attempt are: PlayOn Indoor Sports, Asteral, BBQ Barbecues, and Floor Coverings.

A facebook page in support of the event has been set up here.

 

 

Call of Duty game marathon for WellChild

Two Cheltenham men will be taking part in an unusual marathon effort to raise money for children’s charity WellChild on April 1 when they attempt to play the video game Call of Duty for 30 hours non stop.

Rob Crebbin and Sean Ferguson will be playing the popular Call of Duty: Black Ops console game continuously with just a ten minute break every three hours. Their epic gaming effort will be raising money for Cheltenham based WellChild, the national charity for sick children, and the pair have a Just Giving page set up at www.justgiving.com/gamin4wellchild so that people can sponsor them in their efforts.

Rob said: “Granted we will be doing something we enjoy, but considering thirty hours is close to a full working week and a long time to be sat looking at a TV continuously we feel anything we can do to help a worthwhile charity should be taken into consideration!”

“So if you could give a little bit of money to a great cause and see if we will still be able to focus after 30 hours!”

Rob and Sean will begin their Call of Duty marathon at 8pm on April 1 and continue playing right through until 2am on April 3.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “It’s brilliant that Rob and Sean have come up with such an original and different way of raising funds for WellChild. We wish them well with their marathon gaming session and hopefully it will raise lots of money to help our work with seriously ill children and their families in the UK.”

 

Simplyhealth show their support for important research

Simplyhealth, a company which provides health plans and private health insurance cover, has given a very generous donation of £42,000 to WellChild to help with our research work.

The money will fund a current WellChild research project aimed at developing a new supplement to treat iron deficiency in children.

Iron deficiency affects huge numbers of children and can be treated with iron supplements, but existing supplements can have serious side effects.

By the end of their studies, the researchers are aiming to develop a new iron supplement which will not cause side effects and that will be cheap enough for widespread use.

Mr Kerry Richardson from Simplyhealth and Sally Flett visited WellChild’s HQ in Cheltenham recently to hand over a cheque for £42,000 to fund the research work to Miranda Chalk and Dorian Ursell from WellChild.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted to accept this very generous donation from Simplyhealth which will have a huge impact on the research work to improve treatment of iron deficiency. I am sure this donation will allow work to take place which will be of enormous benefit to sick children in the future.”

Read more about the WellChild iron deficiency project here.

Visit Simplyhealth’s website here.

 

First Helping Hands project carried out in Scotland

The first ever WellChild Helping Hands project in Scotland took place recently when a hardworking team of volunteers from Team Q Maintenance made over the bedroom of Justin Meek, a six year old boy from Lanark who has serious health problems.

Justin has a very rare condition which means he is oxygen dependent, has no mobility and limited communication skills. He is tube fed and requires daily injections of growth hormone which are administered at home by his parents on whom he completely relies for his care. As Justin is in a wheelchair, his home has been adapted to accommodate his needs but his bedroom had been left looking dull and unfinished.

The volunteers, from building and energy services firm Team Q Maintenance, revitalised Justin’s room repainting it and including some colourful murals of Scooby Doo, new curtains and other creative touches.

With the team’s care and attention they were able to spruce up the room and create a happy and relaxing environment that Justin can call his own.

Lee Trunks from WellChild said: “We would like to thank Team Q Maintenance for all their hard work on this project which has made a real difference for Justin who is delighted by his new bedroom. We are also really pleased to have rolled out our Helping Hands scheme in Scotland and hope to do other projects there soon.”

Our picture shows the family with the Team Q volunteers, left to right: David Steel, Kevin McCue, Ian Tucker and Ronnie Tippet. Also part of the team, but not in the picture, was Amy Hindley.

Find out more about Helping Hands here.

 

St Patrick's Day race collection for WellChild

A team of volunteers from Nottingham University came to Cheltenham on Thursday March 17 to help WellChild raise funds outside the St Patrick’s Day races at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Wearing WellChild’s big hand mascots and tee shirts, the students joined volunteers from Gloucestershire to collect funds for WellChild from race-goers as they made their way to the course at the start of the event and left at the end.

WellChild volunteer coordinator Cheryl Clapham said: “We are delighted that the students from Nottingham Uni were kind enough to travel all the way to Cheltenham to help us out in this way. We would like to thank them and our local volunteers for all their hard work. The fundraising was a big success and the race crowds were very generous. We are still counting up the money we collected but it will definitely be put to good use supporting seriously ill children and their families across the UK through WellChild’s programmes of care, support and research.

 

 

Thanks to the IAS for fantastic fundraising

The Industrial Agents Society (IAS) carried out some fantastic fundraising to support WellChild’s work for seriously ill children and their families while we were their 2010/2011 charity of the year partner.

The IAS is Europe’s largest professional body of advisers and consultants that specialise in industrial, distribution and related logistics real estate. Members raised £20,346.90 for WellChild.

Throughout the year, members of the IAS undertook a number of fundraising events, from awards dinners, barbeques and golf days. One of the major events during their fundraising campaign was a sponsored cycle ride from London to Paris.

IAS Vice Chairman Darren Cheeseman is pictured handing over a cheque for part of the overall amount raised to Dorian Ursell of WellChild.

Dorian said: “The IAS have done a brilliant job raising funds for WellChild, I would like to thank the organisation and its members for all their hard work and enthusiasm. They can be sure that the money they have raised will be well used to help seriously ill children and their families all across the UK through WellChild’s programmes of care, support and research.”

Read more about the IAS here.

 

 

Dancing on Ice star Laura calls for WellChild Awards nominations

WellChild Celebrity Ambassador and Dancing on Ice star Laura Hamilton has appealed to the British public to nominate deserving children and health professionals for this year's WellChild Awards.

Laura, who is a long term supporter of WellChild and has attended several awards ceremonies, has written a letter to newspapers across the UK asking their readers to think of people who deserve a nomination. Her letter reads:

Dear Editor

You might have seen me appearing on the TV show ‘Dancing on Ice’ on Sunday evenings over the last few weeks – it really is a thrill for me to be taking part in the show and I have become incredibly enthusiastic about skating! Something else I am very enthusiastic about is WellChild, the national charity for sick children and I am proud to be one of their celebrity ambassadors.

On behalf of the charity I would like to ask your readers for their support in finding as many of the country’s incredibly deserving children, young people, carers and healthcare professionals as possible for the 2011 WellChild Awards.

The WellChild Awards celebrate the truly remarkable and inspirational bravery of sick children and young people across the UK who cope against the odds with a serious illness or complex condition. The Awards also highlight the amazing individuals, such as brothers and sisters, friends, nurses, doctors and other health professionals, who go the extra mile to make the lives of those sick children as happy and fulfilled as possible.

I have been a guest at the WellChild Awards a number of times over the past few years and so I have seen first hand the great pleasure the winners and their families get from the event – it is a wonderful evening which they will never forget.

Nominations for the 2011 WellChild Awards are currently open and there is still time to get your nomination in now before the closing date of May 11. The charity is searching for as many people as possible from across the UK to put forward a child or young person whose bravery in coping with their condition is an inspiration. We also want to hear about the work of those amazing carers and health professionals.

I am sure many of your readers must know people who fit into the WellChild Award categories, and I would urge anyone who would like to recognise and celebrate those people to nominate them now by looking at the charity’s website www.wellchild.org.uk or by calling 0845 458 8171.

Winners and their nominators will be invited to join celebrities at the annual WellChild Awards ceremony later in the year, so why not nominate someone for an award and let them know how special they are?

Thank you for your help.

Yours sincerely

Laura Hamilton

WellChild Ambassador

 

Team conquers Kilimanjaro to help sick kids

Five adventurous fundraisers have raised an incredible £30,000 for WellChild with the trip of a lifetime climbing Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

The team members, Russell Golding, Andrew Birkby, Nigel Toplis, Grant Budge and Richard Metcalfe trekked up Kilimanjaro in December to reach the summit having tackled an equally impressive fundraising effort in the months before they set off.

The fruits of their expedition are wonderful memories and a large sum of money for WellChild, which will be used in our work to support seriously ill children and their families all across the UK.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are really grateful to all the lads both for their hard work fundraising and for their tremendous effort in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. I’m sure it was an experience which will stay with them for a lifetime and it will also help us to provide a better life for seriously ill children and their families in the UK.”

One of the members of the team, Nigel Toplis, said: “Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a unique experience – certainly the most physically challenging of my life to date but also the most rewarding.

“The mountain, the climb, the vast scenery, the changing temperatures all added to the experience. The everlasting memory is watching the sunrise over the horizon whilst approaching the summit.

“Forever I will treasure the camaraderie, the new friendships and the tremendous feeling of shared achievement. I’m delighted to have done the trek for WellChild – a charity I have long supported – and I hope the small contribution makes a difference for the children.”

Fellow member of the team Russell Golding said his fundraising for the trip had included the usual approach of asking people to sponsor him but also organizing events such as an Italian themed wine evening and a disco for families, both of which raised large sums towards his target amount.

The trip itself was incredibly tough but very rewarding, he said.

“It was the hardest thing, both mentally and physically that I have ever done, a lot harder than I imagined it was going to be. But it was one hundred and ten per cent worth it. The memories will be with me for ever and I would recommend it to anyone.

“It has lit a flame for me because I am definitely keen to do something else in future, so it has encouraged me to do something else that people might not think I can achieve. I found that the hard work was 80 per cent in the mind and 20 per cent in the legs.”

If you would like to take part in a challenge event for WellChild see what we have to offer here.

 

James joins WellChild thanks to Vodafone

Cheltenham man James Clay will be joining WellChild for two months’ work this year courtesy of Vodafone’s World of Difference programme.

The mobile phone company offers 500 people in the UK the chance to support their favourite charity by paying their wages for two months of full time work. James was among those chosen this year from among 11,000 applicants throughout the UK.

James said: "I'm very honoured to be selected by Vodafone and look forward to working with WellChild. It is a dream come true and possibly the beginning of something special."

James joins us at the beginning of March and will be working on a variety of fundraising events and activities.  As well as working in the office, he is also taking on the fantastic challenge of running the London Marathon on behalf of WellChild – find out how he is getting on with his training here, and if you’d like to sponsor him you will find his fundraising page here.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted to welcome James to WellChild and we are sure he will be a huge help to us in our Cheltenham headquarters. We thank Vodafone for making his time with us possible through the World of Difference programme.”

Find out more about the programme here.

 

 

Thanks to SACA for their bike ride fundraising

WellChild has been presented with a cheque for £20,000 by the organisers of the SACA charity bike ride.

SACA, a charity organisation formed by the Sikh community, has run the cycle ride from Birmingham to London every year since 1989 and in 2010 they decided to donate the proceeds to WellChild to help with our work for seriously ill children and their families.

The ride, which involves months of planning, attracts cyclists from all over the country and the route starts at Smethwick in Birmingham and goes to Southall in London over two days with an overnight stop. In 2010, 166 riders took part in the event. The cheque was handed over at a presentation at the Premier Inn, Houndslow in January.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are very grateful to the members of the SACA and to all the riders who took part in the Birmingham to London bike ride. This is a fantastic amount of money to raise for WellChild and it will really help us in our work of care, support and research to improve the lives of seriously ill children and their families.”

 

Be part of the Medicines for Children project

WellChild is involved in an exciting project to provide accurate and easy to understand information for parents about medicines for children - and we need your help.

Medicines for Children is a website providing information leaflets written for parents and carers which are also suitable for older children. It was launched in spring 2009 with a small number of medicine sheets and the site has now grown to hold information on around 50 different medicines with more to be added.

Every medicine is supplied with a patient information leaflet which is written by the pharmaceutical company. However these leaflets are often written about the use of medicine by adults and are often very complex. Medicines for Children has set out to produce easily understandable information leaflets for parents and carers. The leaflets are written by paediatricians and pharmacists and have been reviewed by parents.

WellChild is working on this project in partnership with the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Now WellChild is calling on parents and carers of children to help us make the project even better by lending us their knowledge and opinions. We want to form a Parents Editorial Panel to help review new leaflets about medicines as they are written and make sure they are suitable for their purpose. These parents will also help us review and improve the Medicines for Children website which is to be given a whole new look.

We know your time is very precious and we will make sure your involvement is as easy as possible via phone and email without committing you to attending meetings.

If you feel able to help us with this important project which will help families and children then please email Amy Wright at WellChild or visit  www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk

  

Andrew Stone becomes Celebrity Ambassador for WellChild

Andrew Stone, star of TV show Pineapple Dance Studios, has agreed to become a new Celebrity Ambassador for WellChild, the national charity for sick children.

The charity supports seriously ill children and their families throughout the UK through its programmes of care, support and research.

Andrew first became involved with WellChild when he was a guest at the 2010 WellChild Awards which celebrate the bravery of seriously ill children and the dedication of health professionals who support them.

Andrew, who is also singer in the rock band Starman, has now agreed to become an ambassador for the charity, joining other celebrities who help to raise WellChild’s profile, introduce the charity to new supporters and increase awareness of our work and the challenges sick children and their families face.

Colin Dyer, Chief Executive of WellChild, said he is delighted that Andrew Stone has agreed to support WellChild in this way.

“It is fantastic to have the support of someone as energetic and enthusiastic as Andrew,” he said. “His high profile and great personality will make him an invaluable asset to WellChild and to the children and families we support.”

Andrew joins other Celebrity Ambassadors for WellChild who include Duncan Bannatyne, Scouting for Girls, Laura Hamilton, Ian Waite, Emily Maitlis, Karren Brady, Mark Foster, Benedict Allen, Jodie Swallow, Gillian McKeith, Sarah Barrand and The Candle Thieves.

 

Good luck to Laura

All at WellChild are wishing the very best of luck to one of our Celebrity Ambassadors, Laura Hamilton, as she appears on the hit ITV show Dancing On Ice.

TV presenter Laura, who appears on children’s channel Nickelodeon as well as Nick Junior and the Cartoon Network, has been a big supporter of WellChild since 2007 and was one of our founding Ambassadors.

Laura said: “I’m feeling quite nervous about the competition but I’m really, really excited, I can’t wait to get on the ice and meet everyone.”

“I’m not fearful – I’m aware it’s a sport and aware I can get hurt but I pretty much want to throw myself into it and see what happens.”

“I would love to be in the final and I would love just to be able to be amazing at ice skating!”

See a video about Laura on Dancing on Ice here.

 

Gold charity partner for the 2011 and 2012 Virgin Active London Triathlon

WellChild has been confirmed as one of the official charities of the Virgin Active London Triathlon, for the next two years.

The London Triathlon, an IMG event, is the world’s largest and is held at London’s ExCeL Centre. WellChild and Cancer Research UK have been chosen as the two gold charity partners and will be the flagships of fundraising at the triathlon for 2011 and 2012.

Approximately 13,000 participants competed at this year’s London Triathlon, with another 55,000 spectators lining the course and visiting the fitness and lifestyle Expo throughout the two day event.

WellChild has a strong history of involvement with major challenge events. We have a big team each year at the London Marathon and were the official charity for that event in 2007, we also have runners raising money for us at many other major events in the UK and beyond.

Colin Dyer, WellChild Chief Executive, said: “WellChild is a fast-growing UK charity dedicated to helping sick children and their families.  Our profile has increased dramatically in recent years, particularly since becoming a partner charity of the England Football Team and the appointment of Prince Harry as our Royal Patron. 

“To be involved in one of the UK’s most prestigious mass participation events will help us showcase our tireless work and expand our care, support and research programmes with sick children and their families.”

Apply for a place in the Virgin Active London Triathlon here.

Or find out about some of our other challenge events here.

 

Put in a bid for Andrew Stone's Big Brother jacket

Andrew Stone, the Pineapple Dance Studios star who is a celebrity supporter of WellChild is kindly holding an ebay auction of a special piece of memorabilia to raise funds for us.

Andrew made a guest appearance on Big Brother 10, the last ever series of the smash hit TV show. In the show he wore a black jacket and trousers which he has now signed and is auctioning off to raise money for WellChild which will be used to help the seriously ill children and their families who we support throughout the UK.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “It’s great that Andrew has decided to help us in this way and donate his Big Brother jacket. I’m sure there will be a lot of interest in this from his fans and from fans of Big Brother who want to own a unique piece of the last show. And all the money raised will be well used to help the children and families we support.”

You can bid for Andrew Stone’s jacket here and find out more about him and his band Starman here.

 

Scholarship for Tayside team

WellChild, and the Association of British Paediatric Nurses (ABPN) has awarded a scholarship to a trailblazing project in Tayside to maximise the potential of Telemedicine to care for children with palliative care needs at home. The team of Telemedicine Nurse Specialists is evaluating the success of interacting with families remotely to deliver expert medical care whilst the children remain in the supportive environment of their family home.

There is compelling evidence that palliative care provision close to or in the family home is especially beneficial to terminally ill children or those with complex health conditions. This approach can lead to smoother communications and enhanced out of hours support for parents of these children. In turn these improvements can reduce unnecessary stress and feelings of isolation and even despair and can contribute to their children’s health remaining stable and reduce the need to return to hospital. Through telemedicine (the delivery of healthcare and exchange of information across distances through audiovisual media) these families gain access to expert medical and emotional support when and where it is needed.

Based on existing evidence and experience, the anticipated benefits of improved care and quality of life that the Telemedicine approach offers these children and their families, are complemented by significant cost savings to the health service by minimising the days spent in hospital.

The WellChild/ABPN scholarship of £1,000 will be used to develop the technology currently available in Tayside such as purchasing a dedicated communication tool with 3G connectivity to improve the families’ ability to benefit from expert services from the comfort of their own homes.

Head of Programmes at WellChild, Linda Partridge, commented: “WellChild passionately supports innovations which can enhance and increase the delivery of care at home for children with life-limiting or terminal conditions. This project has tremendous synergies with our joint Better at Home Campaign with the Royal College of Nursing and our provision of WellChild nurses, where funding allows, which enables more children to receive the care they need at home. We are therefore delighted to work in partnership with the ABPN in supporting this highly professional and forward-thinking team in NHS Tayside.”

The palliative care project in Tayside, supported by the Scottish Centre for Telehealth, is just one segment of a study that is set to investigate the use and appropriateness of Telemedicine in the routine care of children with complex needs. Work undertaken so far in the pilot phase has demonstrated positive buy-in from the range of different professionals working with these children in the community and hospital and the remarkable ease with which families can adapt to the technology. Alongside considerable time savings to the family and health professionals in travelling to appointments, Telemedicine Specialist Nurses also noted that the audiovisual technology was more helpful in controlling symptoms, making diagnoses and communicating effectively at this intensively emotional time than when using a telephone.

Rory Farrelly is Chairman of the ABPN. He congratulated the winning team and said: “Our intention with this joint WellChild scholarship was to promote the art and science of children and young people’s nursing relating to improving care in the community. With this exciting project we are confident that vital lessons can be learned that will strengthen the evidence about the positive impact of Telemedicine in this setting and contribute to a national roll out of similar services.”

 

Swindon Village School pupils show their support

Children and staff from Swindon Village School, Gloucestershire handed over a cheque to WellChild this week for money raised from their school nativity play.

The primary school raised more than £1,200 for WellChild from ticket sales for their play. Headmaster Jonathan Dyer and pupils from the school handed the cheque to Clover Jones from WellChild.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said he was delighted to receive support from the school.

“It’s brilliant that the children, staff and parents at Swindon Village School have been able to help us in this way,” he said. “The money will be well used in our work of care, support and research to help seriously ill children and their families.”

See more about the support WellChild receives from schools here.

Come to the Grand Ball with James Simpson-Daniel

 

Gloucester rugby star James Simpson-Daniel is raising money for WellChild during his testimonial year and there is a big event coming up in March 5 which is not to be missed!

The James Simpson-Daniel Testimonial Committee invite you to The Sinbad Testimonial Year Grand Ball on Saturday March 5, 2011, at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse. Guests will enjoy a sumptuous four course dinner and dance the night away in the company of James Simpson-Daniel and his Gloucester and England team mates.

Dress code for the evening is black tie or Bollywood chic. There will be a Champagne reception, live Bollywood entertainment, a comedian and live music. There will be an auction, a silent auction and a raffle. The event will run from 7.00pm until 3.00am.

Suggested ticket donations are £70 for a single ticket or tables of eight for £480, tables of 10 for £600 and tables of 12 for £720. Tickets are available from Cheltenham Racecourse 01242 513014.

As well as supporting WellChild The Sinbad Testimonial Year is also supporting The Injured Jockeys Fund and The National Star College. Read more about the testimonial year here

 

Help create a Parents' Charter

Do you have experience of caring for a child at home with a long-term complex health condition or of having a child in hospital for a long period of time?  If so, WellChild wants to hear from you.

We are looking for parents to attend a workshop to discuss developing a ‘Parent’s Charter’ to support the Better at Home campaign which highlights the need for improved care for children and young people with long-term complex health care needs.

The first workshop will be held on Thursday, 3 February in Coventry, with others planned over the next few months.

You can find out more about the Better at Home Campaign here . To find out more about the workshops and other ways to get involved with WellChild, please contact Amy Wright on 01242 530007 or email familynetworks@wellchild.org.uk

 

Extra training for WellChild Nurses

Members of our team of WellChild Children’s Nurses have been hard at work getting extra training to help them with their demanding role looking after seriously ill children and their families.

The training course, delivered over two days in London, deals with helping families with grief and loss if they are bereaved as well as further training on palliative care for children and babies with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. The skills development training is being provided to the WellChild Nurses by ACT and the Child Bereavement Charity.

  

Panto collections give us a boost

Audiences at Cinderella, the Everyman Theatre’s pantomime, were able to sprinkle a little festive magic by donating hundreds of pounds to WellChild.

Local volunteers carried out bucket collections at performances of Cinderella which raised nearly £600 to be used in our work caring for seriously ill children and their families. WellChild is the Everyman Theatre’s panto charity of the year and the theatre has been helping us in various ways throughout the year.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said he is delighted with the way the public has responded to the WellChild collections at the panto.

“We are very grateful to the Everyman and to the members of the public in the panto audiences for helping WellChild out in this way,” he said.

“We would also like to thank the people from Gloucestershire who gave up their time to volunteer for WellChild in carrying out the collections at performances of Cinderella over the last few weeks. You can be sure that all the money raised will be well used in our programmes of care, support and research which benefit seriously ill children and their families throughout the UK.”

David Allen, Head of Sales and Marketing from the Everyman theatre said: “It’s a fantastic amount to raise and we’re so pleased to have been able to support WellChild during the run of Cinderella.  It’s a very deserving charity and we hope to maintain the strong links we have formed with them.”

 

Family fun at the panto

WellChild and the Everyman theatre in Cheltenham were able to give a treat to a Gloucester family recently when they were invited to a performance of the pantomime Cinderella.

Sarah and Alan Bushell from Quedgeley attended the panto with their son Joel, 13, who has learning difficulties and a type of autism, and his cousin Lance Brown.

WellChild is the Everyman’s panto charity of the year and, as Joel attends the Hop, Skip and Jump play and support centre in the Cotswolds where WellChild recently carried out a Helping Hands project, we decided to invite the Bushell family along to enjoy the show on December 12.

Alan Bushell said the family all had a great time at Cinderella.  “Joel and Lance both thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.

Food for thought

With the New Year underway why not make it your resolution to have fun for a good cause and consider hosting a dinner party to benefit WellChild through the Dinner 4 Good website?

Using Dinner4Good.com makes it really easy for you to have friends over for dinner, just as you might usually, and to do it in aid of your favourite charity. It's simple to invite your guests and easy for them to accept and donate on-line. Find out more about the scheme and sign up to take part here.

Helping Hands brave winter weather

The plummeting winter temperatures are doing little to put off our Helping Hands team who have been busy transforming frozen gardens across the country.

Fourteen year old Ryan from Rochdale is in a wheelchair and before the Helping Hands team came along with volunteers from Brand company SSL International, he had a garden that was completely inaccessible to him.

Ryan has Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy and is unable to walk, talk or sit unaided. As well as being unsafe and uneven Ryan’s garden was completely off limits to him in his wheelchair as there was only one large step down from his back door.

The team spent two days installing a ramp from the house safely into the garden, erecting fencing and including sensory flower beds which line the path to a new swing for Ryan – injecting some fun into his new outdoor area.

A few weeks later, brothers Shiloh and Elijah from Mitcham had a similar experience when volunteers from Whiteoaks stamped a space theme onto their garden. Both eight year old Shiloh and nine year old Elijah have an array of health problems, including Autism, Tourettes and ADHD. They both love playing together yet their garden was dangerous for them to be in.

Volunteers spent the day laying soft flooring and painting a brightly coloured space mural onto one of the walls, including a rocket with the boys initials etched onto the side. To add a finishing touch Elijah and Shiloh were each presented with that 80’s retro toy, the space hopper to bounce around their new garden in safety.

Helping Hands manager Lee Trunks said that he was very pleased with the outcome of the projects and thanked both volunteer teams for their hard work and commitment.

“It’s fantastic that we have all been able to enhance the lives of these children. Before the completion of these Helping Hands projects these children were not able to spend any time in their own gardens. The makeovers have opened up another area of learning and enjoyment for Ryan, Shiloh and Elijah and will hopefully be somewhere where they will have many happy memories with their friends and family.”

Read what Whiteoaks thought of their Helping Hands project here.

 

Ian Waite calendar will help raise funds

Strictly Come Dancing star Ian Waite, one of WellChild’s celebrity ambassadors, is raising money for our work with seriously ill children through sales of his calendar this year.

Dancer Ian will donate a pound from the sale of every copy of his 2011 calendar to WellChild.

Each calendar is signed by Ian on the front cover to make this  a must-have for any Ian Waite fan! Also including exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the photoshoot, a year planner page and a lovely welcome message from Ian.

To get your copy of the calendar, and help raise money for WellChild, visit Ian’s website here.

 

 

Why not send WellChild ecards this Christmas?

WellChild has some colourful festive ecards on offer this year and it is appealing for companies and individuals to send them out to friends and colleagues this Christmas.

The three animated cards have been designed for WellChild by some of the children who support the charity and they are available in return for a donation to help with WellChild’s work of care, support and research to aid seriously ill children across the UK. The cards are available through the WellChild website here.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are really pleased with the ecards the children have drawn for us which capture the magic of Christmas through a child’s eyes. It would be great if as many people as possible could send these cards out to their friends both to let people know about WellChild and to raise much needed funds for the work we do for seriously ill children and their families.”

 

In The Mood to help WellChild

WellChild is very grateful to David, Carole and Kristina Hand who organised the ‘In The Mood’ dinner dance on November 6 which raised the fantastic sum of £3,106 to help sick children and their families.

The evening held at Forest Green Rovers FC at Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, began with a two course sit down dinner followed by a fundraising auction and raffle. Then there was dancing to music from ‘Dancin’ Easy’, a six piece band from Cheltenham.

The family chose to support WellChild because Kristina has been involved in helping us as a volunteer this summer

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted that David, Carole and Kristina and all their friends held this fantastic event to raise funds for WellChild. It was a tremendous success and you can be sure the money raised will be put to good use with our programmes of care, support and research for children and young people.”

 

New brain imaging techniques to map unborn babies' brains

A team of world expert researchers from London – funded by children’s health charity Action Medical Research with support from WellChild – has just started an innovative project to develop a groundbreaking new way of taking MRI scans during pregnancy.

In theory, MRI scans have the potential to identify brain damage in unborn babies, but movement of the baby during the scanning procedure seriously reduces image quality. These researchers are developing a way to overcome the problems caused by the babies’ movement, to provide superior quality images and improve diagnosis.

If successful, the research would make doctors better equipped to diagnose brain injuries and abnormalities in unborn babies. The research is being carried out by a specialist team of experts at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Sciences Centre in London, Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College London, after receiving funding of £149,114 from Action Medical Research, including a £50,000 contribution from WellChild.

Professor Mary Rutherford, who is leading the research, has been working in this field for 20 years, helping some of our most premature and vulnerable newborn babies. She said the new scans could facilitate diagnosis of some brain injuries, possibly within just hours of them developing.

 

She said: “The research team has recently developed a radical new way of using MRI to produce 3-dimensional images of babies in the womb, even if the baby is moving around. Funded by an earlier grant from Action Medical Research, the breakthrough technique provides previously unobtainable measures of the sizes of different parts of the brain.

“Now, we are applying the new technique to a more sophisticated type of MRI scan, called diffusion tensor imaging, so that it too can be used during pregnancy. We believe diffusion tensor imaging will have the power to identify injuries and abnormalities in unborn babies’ brains. It may also show how different areas of the brain are connected to each other, by revealing pathways that nerve fibres follow within the brain,” she added.

The researchers are using diffusion tensor imaging to follow the progress of around 30 unborn babies who are at high risk of suffering brain damage. Scans are taking place twice during pregnancy and are being repeated after birth. The babies’ development is then being followed until two years of age.

The researchers are also scanning around 20 healthy unborn babies and comparing the results with scans of premature babies, so they can assess how premature birth affects the brain’s development.

The research group works within a multidisciplinary imaging unit led by Professor Jo Hajnal, which has developed state-of-the-art techniques for acquiring and interpreting MRI scans. They help care for newborns and have pioneered therapeutic interventions for babies with brain injuries.

They also have close links with a specialist unit that provides longer term follow up of children with brain injuries. As an extended team, the researchers have published extensively on all aspects of brain development in babies and on brain imaging.

 

Dr Yolande Harley, Deputy Director of Research for Action Medical Research, said: “This is a really exciting project as the researchers hope the revolutionary new scans they aim to develop will benefit pregnant women whose babies are at risk of developing brain problems. The information obtained could be invaluable in the design of new treatments for brain damage, treatments that could dramatically transform the whole of a baby’s life for the better,” she said.

Read more about Professor Mary Rutherford's research here.

 

Dancestars perform to raise money for sick children

Gloucestershire dance school Dancestars will be rasing money for WellChild with its Christmas Show for the second year running.

Dancestars is based in Gloucester and teaches ballroom and Latin dance to pupils of all ages, from young children to adults. Its Christmas party takes place on Saturday December 4 from 7pm at the St Peter’s Social Club in Black Dog Way, Gloucester.

At the event pupils from the school will put on a display to show what they have been learning throughout the year and there will be a raffle and fundraising for WellChild, the national charity for sick children, which is based in Cheltenham.

Dancestars principal Sarah Hall said the event is always lots of fun and urged everyone to come along, particularly as this year the group celebrates its tenth anniversary.

“Dancing is a wonderful way to stay fit and healthy – it really makes you feel good. That’s why we are so delighted to be able to raise some money to help improve the lives of the seriously ill children that WellChild supports.”

WellChild Communications Officer Chris Hill said: “This is the second year that Dancestars have given us their support in this way and we are very grateful for their help. It is a real family occasion and it is nice to know that, as well as having a great time, the dancers will be raising money for our nurses, researchers and Helping Hands projects which benefit the children and families who we support up and down the country.”

Tickets are available from Sarah Hall on 01452 423234 or on the door at £4.50 for adults, £3 for children and £12 for a family ticket for two adults and two children.

 

NFU Mutual Chelenham give their support

WellChild’s thanks go out to NFU Mutual, Cheltenham, who have donated the amazing sum of £940 to help with our work with sick children and their families.

Karl Gwilliam from WellChild accepted a cheque from Richard Carter of NFU Mutual Cheltenham. The money was raised for WellChild this year through staff from NFU Mutual talking part in our Walk For WellChild event and through other fundraising.

Karl Gwilliam said; “It’s fantastic to get such great support from NFU Mutual, without help like this we couldn’t provide the support we do for seriously ill children across the UK.”

 

 

 

Please volunteer to help WellChild in the run up to Christmas

WellChild is asking for volunteers from Gloucestershire who are willing to help raise funds for a couple of hours in the run up to Christmas.

We will be packing bags for Christmas shoppers at Morrison’s supermarket in Tewkesbury on Thursday December 23 and are appealing for as many people as possible to come along and help with the task to raise much needed funds.

The bag pack will take place between 9.30am and 7.30pm and will be a great opportunity to raise money for WellChild’s work with seriously ill children and their families.

WellChild volunteer coordinator Cheryl Clapham said: “People in Gloucestershire have always been fantastic at helping out WellChild with fundraising and we are hoping lots of people will support us this time. If you can offer just a couple of hours of your time to help you can be sure the money will help children who really need our support. Why not get into the festive spirit and put on your Santa hat?”

Volunteers are also needed to help with collections for WellChild at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, at performances of their pantomime Cinderella on December 11, and 12, December 18, December 20 and January 8.

If you can help, please contact Cheryl Clapham on 0845 458 8171 or email her at volunteer@wellchild.org.uk

Read more about volunteering for WellChild here.

 

Jungle Celebrity Gillian's card appeal for WellChild

 

WellChild celebrity ambassador Gillian McKeith – currently the high profile star of hit TV show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, has written a letter to newspapers across the UK asking the British public to buy WellChild’s Christmas cards this year. Gillian writes:

Sir/Madam

I’m deep in the jungle at the moment but, with the festive season just around the corner, it’s time to think about Christmas cards! And I would like to ask that this year you consider buying them to support WellChild, the national charity for sick children.

WellChild does a brilliant job helping seriously ill children and their families all across the UK through care, support and research. They have a growing team of WellChild Children’s Nurses throughout the country who work to get long term sick children out of hospital to be cared for at home with the right support. Currently WellChild is trying to raise funds for more of these nurses and their eventual aim is that every child in the UK who needs the help of a WellChild Nurse gets it.

WellChild also does other great work like Helping Hands schemes where volunteers carry out projects to improve the homes of sick children and children’s health research which investigates new ways to help seriously ill children in the future.

One easy way you can lend your support to this fantastic charity is by buying WellChild Christmas cards which are available online at www.wellchild.org.uk or by ringing 0845 458 8171.

That way when you send a greeting this Christmas you can be sure you are helping some of the most deserving and needy young people in the country. Kids whose only wish is that they were home for Christmas with their family rather than living on a hospital ward.

Any help you can offer will be gratefully received and will help to give these children the Christmas, and indeed the life, that we would want for our own kids.

Gillian McKeith

WellChild Ambassador

 

WellChild Christmas cards at the Everyman Theatre

WellChild has teamed up with our friends at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham to sell our Christmas cards this year.

WellChild is the Everyman’s panto charity of the year for 2010 in the run up to this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, which opens on November 26. The theatre is supporting WellChild in its work with seriously ill children and their families throughout the UK as the build up to the annual family friendly panto gets underway.

 

The cards will be on sale at the Everyman during the run of the panto before Christmas. There are three card designs to choose from including one of the three kings drawn by eight year old WellChild supporter Stephanie Redfearn. The cards come in packs of ten. WellChild Christmas cards are also available here or by ringing 0845 458 8171.

Already staff from the Everyman have been involved with WellChild’s work as they took part in a Helping Hands project to improve the lives of the children at Amberley Ridge special school, Stroud. They painted the school playroom, created and installed a large specially painted mural in the play room and mounted animal-themed mural cut outs on the walls of the school.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are very grateful to the Everyman for helping us to sell our Christmas cards, and for the other support they are giving us during panto season. It would be great if as many people possible could buy our Christmas cards this year to help our work with seriously ill children and young people.”

 

 

ACT dinner a big success

WellChild was delighted to be the beneficiary charity of the Association of Corporate Treasurers Annual Dinner which was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on the evening of November 10.

The ACT Annual Dinner is one of the highlights of the financial year, with over 1,300 treasury, banking and financial services professionals in attendance. Guests at the Grosvenor House had an evening of networking, entertainment and inspiring speeches. After dinner speaker at the event was Alastair Campbell who is best known as a key figure behind former Prime Minister Tony Blair's rise to power.

This is the second year running that the ACT Annual Dinner has raised money for WellChild. Fundraising on the evening included a Champagne and Diamonds event in which guests paid for a glass of vintage champagne to be in with the chance of winning a diamond necklace. There was also a prize draw in which the top prize was a dinner for ten at the Theo Randall restaurant at the Intercontinental Hotel, hosted by Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said he was delighted by how the evening went.

“We are thrilled that the ACT was again able to raise money for WellChild at its Annual Dinner and guests can be sure that the money which they raised will be put to good use supporting seriously ill children and their families,” he said.

 

ProLogis cyclists' Paris ride for WellChild

Well done to the team of cyclists from ProLogis who got on their bikes to complete a marathon cycle from London to Paris recently to raise money for WellChild.

The 44 strong team of cyclists set out on their gruelling 300 mile trek from South East London on September 22 and arrived in the French capital three days later. As a result they raised an amazing £10,500 to help sick children and their families throughout the UK.

The team included workers from the firm from Europe, plus friends and colleagues, and included cyclists from ProLogis in the UK, Alan Sarjant, Paul Weston, Robin Woodbridge, Simon Jenkins and Nick Smith who raised money for WellChild as well as other charities.

Team member Paul Weston said: "Most of us fall into the MAMIL (Middle Aged Man in Lycra) category, but whether this is the start of a collective mid-life crisis or not, we raised a great deal of money and we had a truly brilliant time."

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We would like to thank the cyclists for their tremendous hard work and determination – they can be sure the money they raised will be well used to help seriously ill children and young people who really need our support.”

ProLogis is a leading provider of industrial and distribution buildings in the UK. Working with retailers, manufacturers and third party logistics operators the company owns and manages 20 million square feet of industrial space in prime locations across the country. Find out more about the company here.

 

Rugby star James Simpson-Daniel supports WellChild

Gloucester Rugby star James Simpson-Daniel has announced that WellChild will be one of the charities he supports during his testimonial year at the club.

A number of fundraising events will be held over the 12 month period which will raise money for WellChild along with the National Star College and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Mr Simpson-Daniel, nicknamed Sinbad, has been with Gloucester since 2001 and plays at Wing and Centre for the Cherry and Whites. He was named Guinness Premiership player of the season in 07-08 and he has also been capped ten times for England.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted that James Simpson-Daniel has chosen WellChild as one of the charities he will support during his testimonial year. The children and families we help will be thrilled to be associated with such a big name in professional sport and Mr Simpson-Daniel can be sure that all the money raised for WellChild will be well used in our programmes of care, support and research to help seriously ill children and their families across the UK.”

The first date in the James Simpson-Daniel testimonial year will be a launch event to be held on November 14 from 11am at Cheltenham Racecourse, in the Sinbad Testimonial Marquee at the Tented Village.

Those attending will enjoy a full day’s racing at the open meeting and guest speaker and tipster, the legendary Peter Scudamore will provide his racing certs for the day. It’s a chance to mix and mingle with Sinbad and his team mates in this exclusive marquee, you will have the chance to win great prizes in the raffle and also the chance to purchase that perfect Christmas gift in the sporting memorabilia auction.

The suggested donation for tickets including full entry to the day’s racing, drinks bar and a fantastic buffet is £35 per person (kids go free).

Contact the testimonial committee by phoning Geoff Kempton on 07836 519626 or Simon Daws on 07775 720616 or email sinbadstestimonial@gmail.com

Read more about James Simpson-Daniel’s testimonial year here

 

Christmas Fair a big success

 

 

 

 

 

 

WellChild’s annual Christmas Fair in the Cotswolds was a huge success on November 1 and 2. Here are some pictures of the event

The fair took place at Upper Rissington, near Burford, Gloucestershire and hundreds of visitors came through the doors to browse and buy festive goods.

The fair is held in two 100 foot marquees with great atmosphere and shopping.

There were more than 70 stalls at the event including everything from adult and children’s clothing, leather goods, jewellery, accessories, gifts, items for the home and more. Organiser of the fair is Lucy Greaves who puts on the event with her committee.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “The Christmas Fair is a fantastic event for WellChild, we very much appreciate the support of all the people in Gloucestershire who come along and have a great day, raising money to help seriously ill children in the process.

"Lucy and her team do a brilliant job organizing the fair which is a highlight of the Cotswold social calendar.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheltenham Ladies' College gives its support

Cheltenham Ladies’ College has kindly agreed to include WellChild among its official charities for the 2010-2011 school year.

The College will be fundraising for WellChild in a variety of ways throughout the year in order to support our work with seriously ill children and their families in the UK through our programmes of care, support and research.

The Cheltenham Ladies' College is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1853, the College has been at the forefront of girls' education for over 150 years and has a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. Find out more about the college here

 

AMRC charities voice their concern

WellChild is delighted to join seventy seven other AMRC member charities in a letter to The Times, published on October 15, asking for the Government to ensure that investment in research funding is sustained so that patients continue to benefit from the continued role of charities in funding research. The text of the letter is as follows:

Sir, Our work benefits millions of patients across the UK. Last year alone the 124 members of the Association of Medical Research Charities funded more than £1 billion of medical and health research. As a proportion of public expenditure that is more than any other country. This contribution is driven by the combined efforts of volunteers, supporters, donors, clinicians, scientists and patients themselves. If ever there was an example of the “big society” in action this is it.

Ahead of the comprehensive spending review (CSR) we have asked the coalition government to sustain science funding and ensure an environment that allows charities to fund research on behalf of patients. Failure to do so will lead to the UK losing its position as an international leader in science. Additional unacceptable strictures on research, such as the proposed cap on non-EU migrants, can only fuel concerns that our future scientists will be expected to work with one hand tied behind their backs.

Ministers are mistaken if they believe that charities are a substitute for government expenditure. One of the great strengths of UK science is the synergy that exists between public, charitable and industry sources of funding. Only last week we saw evidence of what this collaboration can mean with the bowel-screening announcement heralded at the Conservative Party conference. It is such progress and the opportunity to improve health and wellbeing that has enabled us to build public support for research, support that leverages funding from other sources for the common good.

We recognise the very difficult decisions facing George Osborne. But in these final days before the CSR announcement he may wish to reflect on the comment by the American health activist Mary Lasker: “If you think research is expensive, try disease.”

Professor Sir Mark Walport
Director, The Wellcome Trust

Harpal Kumar
Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK

Peter Hollins
Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation

Dr Liam O’Toole
Chief Executive, Arthritis Research UK

Simon Denegri
Chief Executive, Association of Medical Research Charities

Colin Dyer
Chief Executive, WellChild

Plus 72 other signatories.

 

Vote for us at Cheltenham Waitrose

WellChild has been selected as one of three causes during October to benefit from the Waitrose Cheltenham Community Matters Scheme. 

This scheme gives £1,000 per month to each Waitrose store to share between three locally based good causes. Then the store’s customers vote for their preferred choice using a green token.  Money is then distributed proportionally according to the tokens each cause receives.

If you or your friends or family visit the Cheltenham Waitrose store before the end of October, please make sure to vote for WellChild by adding your token to our pile.

 

Duncan Bannatyne leads WellChild Lifeline appeal

WellChild has been selected by the BBC for October’s Lifeline appeal to raise funds for WellChild Nurses who help care for seriously ill children across the UK.

The BBC1 programme to be aired on October 17 at 4.05pm and repeated on BBC2 on October 19 at 1.45pm, features a call for support from WellChild’s Royal Patron Prince Harry and is lead by the charity’s business ambassador and Dragon’s Den panellist Duncan Bannatyne who has been a great supporter of the charity for a number of years as well as single-headedly funding one of WellChild’s nurse posts.

WellChild Children’s Nurses provide specialist support to enable children with complex health conditions to leave hospital and to be cared for at home. With increasing numbers of children living with long-term illness, this help is needed more and more.

As part of the programme Duncan travels to meet some of the children who have been helped by a WellChild nurse and see how their lives have been massively improved by having their children at home with them. One of the families is that of three-year-old Ethan Mason who contracted meningitis last year and as a result had both of his legs amputated from the knee. Lorraine, Ethan’s mother had to learn very quickly how to look after her son as his needs are now so different to that of his brothers and sister. She tells Duncan how her WellChild Nurse, Lucy Andrews helped her in changing her son’s dressings and coordinated Ethan’s care plan in order for him to leave hospital as soon as possible to be at home with his family.

“Lucy was my lifeline” said Lorraine. “We spent a long time getting over the shock of what happened to Ethan when we were introduced to Lucy. She was there from the very beginning of Ethan’s care in hospital and was responsible for arranging everything to get him back home with us. She is just amazing and we can’t imagine being in the position we are now, all of us back home together, without her help.”

WellChild Chief Executive, Colin Dyer said “The BBC Lifeline appeal is a fantastic chance for us to show how our charity helps sick children across the UK. We very much appreciate our Royal Patron, Prince Harry and Duncan Bannatyne taking time out of their very busy schedules to support us with this appeal. Hopefully their involvement will help to reach out to the many people who are watching to show how valued our WellChild Nurse posts are to those families who so desperately need them and how they provide much needed care and support to so many seriously ill children.”

You can donate to Reach Out for Sick Children – our WellChild Nurse appeal here or by sending a cheque to WellChild, 16 Royal Crescent, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3DA or by phone on 0845 458 8171.

 

 

Everyman teams up with WellChild for panto

The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham has announced that WellChild will be its Charity of the Year for 2010 in the run up to this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, which opens on November 26.

The theatre will be supporting Cheltenham-based WellChild in our work with seriously ill children and their families throughout the UK as the build up to the annual family friendly panto gets underway.

Already staff from the Everyman have been involved with WellChild’s work as they took part in a Helping Hands project to improve the lives of the children at Amberley Ridge special school, Stroud. They painted the school playroom, created and installed a large specially painted mural in the play room and mounted animal-themed mural cut outs on the walls of the school.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said he is delighted that the Everyman has chosen to support WellChild in this way.

“It’s great news.  Children love pantomimes and get a real thrill from going to the theatre. The Everyman brings a lot of happiness into children’s lives and that is what we at WellChild do too with our work of care, support and research to bring light into the life of seriously ill children and their families.”

Geoffrey Rowe, Chief Executive of the Everyman said: “We are delighted to be able to support a different charity each year alongside our pantomime and I cannot think of a more fitting and worthy cause than WellChild.”

 

A big thanks to cyclists at our Awards

Five cyclists who raised an incredible £26,000 for WellChild when they rode the whole length of Britain received a big thanks at our WellChild Awards ceremony on September 27.

The five challenged themselves to cycle the length of Britain from John O'Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) in 9 days, covering 1,008 miles and spending more than eight hours in the saddle each day.

At the Awards, the five cyclists, Paul Landsman, Parminder Basran, Andi Tomkinson, Nick Freear and Mark Winter were presented with certificates and thanked for their hard work. They are pictured with model Sophie Anderton and with pop band, Scouting for Girls, who did their own charity cycle ride for WellChild, from London to Brighton on children's chopper bikes.

 

InterContinental London Park Lane supports WellChild

Staff from InterContinental London Park Lane visited Chelsea and Westminster’s children’s wards with thirteen large bags stuffed with much needed toys as part of their ongoing support for WellChild.

Announcement of the toy drop came on 21st September, 2010; a day recognised internationally to InterContinental Hotels & Resorts as Responsible Business Day, a day which highlights the group's worldwide partnership with National Geographic. Guided by five principles derived from National Geographic's code of conduct, Responsible Business Day focuses on global geotourism initiatives that enrich the understanding of environmental and cultural responsibilities amongst InterContinental staff and guests worldwide.

General Manager Alvaro Rey was one of the team who visited the hospital: “We wanted to do something that would genuinely make a positive difference. Today we have seen just how much this children’s ward needed additional toys to facilitate the recovery of these poorly little children. It was a very touching experience being with the children and their parents today; it almost goes without saying, we are very proud to support WellChild.”

In a week of heightened support to WellChild, InterContinental London Park Lane also hosted the annual WellChild Awards on Tuesday September 27th where it also sponsored the WellChild Special Recognition Award. And later in the month the hotel will be sending out a maintenance team to keep-good work done early in January 2010 at a Helping Hands project in Tower Hamlets, London.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We really appreciate all the hard work of the staff and management at the Intercontinental to aid us in our work of care, support and research for seriously ill children and their families in the UK.”

 

Scouting For Girls bikes on sale to help WellChild

There’s a chance to own a unique piece of pop memorabilia from one of Britain’s top bands this week as the chopper bikes ridden from London to Brighton for charity by Scouting for Girls go on sale.

The three bikes ridden by the lads on their journey, plus one spare bike they took with them, are being sold on Ebay here to raise more money for WellChild, the national charity for sick children.

The award winning British pop band Scouting For Girls arrived in Brighton at 4pm on Monday 30th August, after successfully riding 60 miles from London to Brighton on second hand chopper bikes, in aid of WellChild. Roy Stride, Greg Churchouse and Pete Ellard left London on Sunday 29th August at 10am from Wandsworth Park and upon arrival played an intimate acoustic show at the Komedia.

To have a chance of bidding for the bikes, which have been signed by the band, visit Ebay and search for Scouting for Girls choppers.

 

The band have already raised thousands of pounds with more donations pouring in. Fans can donate £1.50 to WellChild by texting WELLCHILD to 70444, or go to www.justgiving.com/scoutingforgirls.

 

Scouting For Girls’ vocalist Roy Stride said: “No one has ever attempted riding choppers from London to Brighton before, so we are over the moon! We ache all over, but it was worth every minute as we have raised thousands for WellChild. We are now going to auction the lucky choppers off for WellChild so get bidding on Ebay!! Thank you all for being so generous. We’re now off to bed for a week to recover!”

Colin Dyer from WellChild said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to Roy, Greg and Pete for choosing to support WellChild in this incredible way. Like most charities we spend our time trying to persuade and cajole people into fundraising for us – and helping us to raise the profile for our work. The fact that the challenge and concert has been totally the band’s idea is just amazing and I would like to thank everyone who has supported them along the way.”

 

Cheltenham Film Festival supports WellChild

We are delighted to announce that the new Cheltenham Film Festival has chosen to support WellChild.  Cheltenham Film Festival is a great new addition to Cheltenham's renowned festival programme and runs over the first weekend in October 2010.  

Cheltenham Film Festival will bring a diverse cinematic experience to visitors, staged within the splendour of some of the town's finest historic buildings.  With something for everyone over the weekend - from the restored features of the BFI's archive, world cinema, family features and the innovations of local media graduates - the festival is destined for success and will raise valuable funds for WellChild over the weekend.  For more information, visit www.cheltenhamfilmfestival.com

 

A Helping Hand for Zac

Volunteers from FleetMilne residential agency transformed the garden of five year old Zak Macefield from Sedgley in the latest WellChild Helping Hands project.

Zak has Kabuki Syndrome which means he needs 24 hour care and cannot walk or talk. It is hard for Zak to go to a park and play like other children so to have an accessible garden means a lot to him and his family.

The team from Birmingham based FleetMilne built a path to the top of Zak’s long garden adding raised flower beds for sensory plants and an area for a specialist swing.

Helping Hands project manager Lee Trunks said he was delighted with the way the project had gone and thanked the volunteers.

Nicola Fleet-Milne, Managing Director at FleetMilne said: “It was an incredibly rewarding experience and we’re delighted to have played a part in helping to make Zak’s life better. Zak’s a lovely little boy and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the English weather stays dry long enough for him to enjoy spending time in his new garden. We’ve always been very passionate about supporting local charities.”

Find out more about FleetMilne here.

 

Mountain Rescue treat for children

Some of the seriously ill children and their families who WellChild supports enjoyed a fantastic day out courtesy of Mountain Rescue England & Wales on Friday July 23.

Mountain Rescue England & Wales runs an annual day of adventure for WellChild and Centrepoint, a charity for homeless young people. Mountain Rescue England & Wales and Centrepoint have HRH Prince William as their Patron while WellChild has HRH Prince Harry as its Patron.  The two Princes actively encourage their charities to work together to create new ideas and opportunities such as this day of adventure.

The Day of Adventure in and around the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia gave an opportunity for all the participants to experience some mountaineering skills and join in with the work of the Mountain Rescue Team.

The WellChild children along with their brothers and sisters enjoyed a morning at The Towers Outdoor Pursuit Centre near Betws y Coed. They then took part in a search on the mountain with North East Wales Search and Rescue. The six young people from Centrepoint had a day on the mountains with climbing instructors from Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation.

Later in the afternoon, the participants gathered at Bryn Poeth (home of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation) for tea and refreshments, to meet some VIP guests and for the presentation of awards.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “The WellChild children and their families were thrilled to take part in this visit to the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue and they all had a great day. Many of the children we support have complex care needs and it is fantastic for them, and their families, to be able to take part in this kind of activity.”

Mountain Rescue England & Wales is the umbrella organisation for the 53 local teams that provide search and rescue services on a completely voluntary basis.  A similar event, which was attended by Prince William himself, was organised in Patterdale last year and hosted by the Cumbrian teams.

 

New nurse scholarship launched

WellChild and the Association of British Paediatric Nurses (ABPN) are delighted to announce a joint £1000 nursing scholarship linked to improving the care of children and young people in the community setting.

Submissions, which should be received by 10 September 2010, are welcomed from ABPN members holding a RSCN/RN child qualification, or on a programme of study leading to RSCN/RN child qualification. Applicants should focus on an aspect of the nursing care for a child or young person with complex health care needs within their home and community setting and considering the whole family. Successful applicants will be required to publish an article in the ABPN Journal of Child Health Care and present a paper at a national conference.

Full details and how to apply can be found here.

This is the first award being made as part of this collaboration and is a means of furthering the shared vision of both organisations to improve the nursing care of children and young people with complex healthcare needs at home.

WellChild Director of Programmes, Linda Partridge said: “WellChild and the ABPN share a common aim of advancing the field of children’s and young people’s nurses. Through this joint nursing scholarship we are acknowledging that we need to support improvements in the care of children and young people with complex needs so that they can be at home.

"This has been the main focus of the RCN/WellChild Better at Home campaign which was launched last year and calls on Government to give all children and young people with long term health needs the chance to be cared for at home. We look forward to receiving high quality applications.”

Katrina McNamara-Goodger, from the ABPN commented: “ABPN are delighted to be working with WellChild to offer this scholarship to UK nurses working with children which gives us the chance to not only recognise excellence in practice, but also to promote the art and science of children and young people’s nursing through the sharing of experiences and practices in children’s and young people's nursing care in the community.”

A key objective of the Association of British Paediatric Nurses (ABPN) is to promote the art and science of children and young people’s nursing, and to provide opportunities for nurses to further their education, skills, and personal and professional development in caring for the needs of sick and well children and young people and their families.

Further information about the ABPN’s work can be found here. See further information on the Better at Home Campaign here.

 

Thanks to Corsham School for supporting sick children

Well done to the pupils from Year Nine of the Corsham School in Wiltshire who raised money for WellChild by covering a giant WellChild hand logo with coins.

The pupils made WellChild their year group charity and raised money for us at their fete at the end of last term.

Thanks to the pupils and teachers from the school for their hard work and support. You can read more about their fundraising efforts for WellChild on the Corsham School blog here.

 

 

Reach out for Sick Children

WellChild is this week launching its new Reach Out for Sick Children appeal to increase the number of WellChild Children’s Nurses who care for seriously ill children throughout the UK.

WellChild Children’s Nurses provide specialist support to enable children with complex health conditions to leave hospital and to be cared for at home. With increasing numbers of children living with long-term illness, this help is needed more and more.

WellChild has already built up a network of these nurses across the UK since the first was appointed in 2006 and they play a vital role in the care of many seriously ill children. The charity’s aim is for every seriously ill child or young person in the UK with a serious or long-term illness to have access to a WellChild Children’s Nurse should they need one.

The appeal has a new website www.wellchildnurseappeal.org where parents, children and some of our current nurses say why they believe that WellChild Children’s Nurses are such an essential part of healthcare for children today. The site also has contributions from our supporters, including celebrities, who say why they believe WellChild Children’s Nurses deserve as much public support as possible.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “Every parent knows that caring for any sick child is hard. Caring for a child with a serious illness or life-threatening condition can be a physical, financial and emotional struggle each and every day – juggling the demands of family life and never knowing what the next day will bring.

“WellChild has spent more than 30 years reaching out for sick children. Now we are asking you to do the same as we try to double the number of WellChild Children’s Nurses caring for seriously ill children and young people across the UK right now.”

You can donate to Reach Out for Sick Children on the appeal website www.wellchildnurseappeal.org by sending a cheque to WellChild, 16 Royal Crescent, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3DA or by phone on 0845 458 8171.

£22 pays for a nurse for one hour, £175 pays for a nurse for a day.

 

Scouting For Girls Charity Chopper Challenge

Number one pop band Scouting for Girls will be swapping mics for bikes this summer when they take on the SFG Charity Chopper Challenge - riding from London to Brighton on Chopper bikes to raise money for WellChild.

The three members of Scouting for Girls, singer Roy Stride, bass player Greg Churchouse and drummer Peter Ellard will be riding more than sixty miles from London to Brighton on August 29 on their Raleigh Chopper bikes supported along the way by their fans.

Their tremendous effort will aid WellChild’s Reach Out for Sick Children nurse appeal which aims to pay for more WellChild children’s nurses across the UK who will help to get seriously ill children out of hospital and cared for at home with their families.

The band plan a picnic for fans en route and will have special limited edition merchandise on sale through their website here to raise more money to help sick children.

Roy Stride said of the ride: "We feel so strongly about supporting WellChild Nurses that we are getting on our bikes and doing something about it. We are riding from London to Brighton on Chopper bikes to raise money for WellChild’s Reach Out for Sick Children appeal.  

"This ride is really going to hurt – Greg’s bike has only got one gear. But we are really happy to be able to support WellChild get more nurses. It’s a really great cause."

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “It’s fantastic that the lads are helping us out in this way. We wish them the best of luck with their marathon Chopper bike ride and they can be sure that the money they and their fans manage to raise will be put to good use in providing nursing care for seriously ill children and young people who really need their help.”

Scouting for Girls have a justgiving page for their Chopper Challenge donate here.

 

A Helping Hand for Oliver

A team of energetic volunteers from tool and equipment hire firm, Speedy have transformed the garden of four-year-old Oliver Mackintosh as part of a WellChild Helping Hands project.

Oliver from St Helens, Merseyside has a severe bleeding disorder called Haemophilia which causes many problems for the young boy. Part of his treatment involves receiving painful injections three times a week and Oliver is consistently supervised so that a bleed is immediately treated as soon as it has happened.

When Oliver has received a serious impact to a joint he experiences extreme pain and swelling and will be unable to use the joint for several days until the bleed has been controlled. Unfortunately this is a condition that Oliver will have to live with for the rest of his life.

Oliver and his family have recently moved and inherited a garden that was very overgrown and uncared for. The Helping Hands project team cleared the garden of all the debris and rubbish that was left by previous owners and created a clear and safe environment in which Oliver can play and spend time with his friends.

The team also completely removed a run down shed which was not used but was taking up a lot of ground space therefore creating a larger area for the family to enjoy.

Andrea Mackintosh, Oliver’s mum said: “Thank you so much. Words don’t come close to explain how fantastic this experience was.

"I simply cannot believe the transformation and how much more space we have, the garden is now a blank canvas for us to use. I know Oli will get many hours of enjoyment out of it now, when he was unable to even enter it safely before. ”

 

Costain runners hand over a big cheque

A group of three colleagues from the Costain Group have handed over a big cheque to WellChild which they raised by running this year’s London Marathon for us.

The cheque, for £8,620 was handed over to Karl Gwilliam from WellChild by Stephen Wells, who is Group Strategy and Business Development Director at Costain. Stephen tackled the 26 mile marathon course with fellow workers Caroline Harris and Graham Read.

Karl Gwilliam, said: "This Costain support is absolutely fantastic. WellChild depends on voluntary funding and the efforts of the Costain team will see WellChild expand its community children's nurse programme."

Stephen Wells said: “Graham and I 'adopted' a guy with muscular dystrophy at the five-mile mark; he said he was the only person with the disease entering the Marathon and we just went round with him.

"Graham and I are getting old and we did it in about 7 hours 20 minutes. Caroline clocked just over 6 hours. But the main thing is we raised the money and that was the driver for each of us."

Thanks from all at WellChild for the hard work put in by the Costain team. You can read more about them here.

 

Well done to the JOGLE cycle team

Congratulations from all at WellChild to the five friends who have successfully cycled the whole length of Britain to raise thousands of pounds for WellChild.

The five challenged themselves to cycle the length of Britain from John O'Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) in 9 days, covering 1,008 miles and spending more than eight hours in the sadle each day.

They set out on June 12 and, as you can see from our photo, they all made it to their destination.

They aim to raise an incredible £25,000 for WellChild and they have almost reached their target.

The five are Paul Landsman, Parminder Basran, Andi Tomkinson, Nick Freear and Mark Winter. Find out more about the team and sponsor them by visiting their website at rideacrossbritain2010.com

 

Nessa joins volunteers in first street collection

WellChild held its first ever street collection in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on June 11 and raised over £300 for the charity’s work with seriously ill children.

WellChild’s mascot, a 12 foot tall pink nurse called Nessa, helped 20 volunteers with the collection and the total raised was £319. The money will be used towards WellChild’s work of care, support and research to help seriously ill children and their families in the UK.

The next collection planned for WellChild will take place at on Friday July 9 and Saturday July 10 at Sainsbury’s store in Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester.

WellChild Volunteer Coordinator Cheryl Clapham said: “We were delighted by the response we got from the people of Cheltenham to our collection, they were very generous. We would also like to thank all our hard working volunteers who came out to help us.

“If you have an hour or two to spare to help a good cause and would like to volunteer at our supermarket collection on July 9 then please ring me on 0845 458 8171 or email volunteer@wellchild.org.uk"

 

Friends cycle the length of Britain to help WellChild

Five old University friends are taking part in a marathon cycle ride across the whole length of Britain to raise thousands of pounds for WellChild, the national charity for sick children.

The five have challenged themselves to cycle the length of Britain from John O'Groats to Lands End (JOGLE) in 9 days, covering 1,008 miles from 12 June 2010. This means that they will be cycling an average of 110 miles and spending over 8 hours in the saddle every day. They will burn over 40,000 calories and climb the equivalent of two Mount Everests in the 9 day period.

The five are Paul Landsman, Parminder Basran, Andi Tomkinson, Nick Freear and Mark Winter. They aim to raise an incredible £25,000 for WellChild. You can find out more about the team and sponsor them by visiting their website at rideacrossbritain2010.com

Their ride forms part of a larger event – the first ever mass JOGLE cycle, with 500 people taking part. It is being headed up by Double Olympic Gold medalist and TV personality James Cracknell who attempted to break the Tandem Cycle JOGLE World Record to raise awareness of the event.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We wish the guys well with their incredible adventure and we are very grateful they are raising so much money to help with our work for seriously ill children and their families.”

Paul Landsman said of the challenge: “We are five friends who went to university together and we have taken this on because we like a challenge and we wanted to do something like this before it was too late for us! We have always wanted to raise a lot of money for a good cause and we are of an age where we are focused on families and having children ourselves so we wanted to support a national charity for the welfare of children and WellChild is just that.

You can sponsor the team and find more about their challenge here

 

Cotswold Summer Fair is a big hit

WellChild’s annual Summer Fair was a big hit again this year with hundreds of visitors flocking through the gates.

The event, on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th June was held at the beautiful Bourton House at Bourton-on-the-Hill in the Cotswolds and the stunning backdrop of the award winning gardens were a delight for all those attending.

Stalls from all across the country offered gifts to tempt every taste from designer clothes and jewellery to delicious deli and natural skincare - everything needed for the new summer season.

“This is a fantastic annual event for WellChild” said Colin Dyer, WellChild’s Chief Executive. “Not only because it is an enjoyable day out in the county in which we are based but also because we always have such great feedback from all who attend.

"It’s a thoroughly great day in the Cotswolds for people in the knowledge that at the same time they are supporting a very worthwhile children’s charity.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

England players receive Book of Hope from WellChild

As the England team head off to seek glory in the World Cup in South Africa this summer they take with them messages of hope and good luck from some of the seriously ill children across the country who have benefitted from their support during the past year.

WellChild, the national charity for sick children, is an official partner of the Team England Footballers Charity (TEFC). In the past few weeks, some of the young people supported by WellChild have been creating pictures, poems and messages for the squad which have been included in a ‘Book of Hope’ which was presented to the England squad on Sunday (May 23rd) ahead of their World Cup warm-up match with Mexico at Wembley.

Through the TEFC, the players donate international match fees to WellChild and other partners, and give time to meet with some of the young people supported and cared for by the charity.

To show gratitude for the support of the players and wish them well in the World Cup, WellChild gathered together the messages of hope and good luck from seriously ill children, along with WellChild Children’s Nurses and volunteers, to give them a morale boost before they fly off for the tournament.

England Captain Rio Ferdinand said that the players were delighted to get the book with the children’s messages of hope.

“It’s great to be able to support WellChild in the work they do for sick kids and their families and getting a book of support from the children we are helping is very touching. The drawings and messages from the children look fantastic and I am sure they will give all the players a boost as we head off for the World Cup.”

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer added: “The England squad have been fantastic supporters of WellChild through their Team England Footballers Charity, and the positive impact on some of the young people they have met has been very clear to see. We know that the children wish the team well and want them to win the World Cup so we wanted to give the children a chance to show their support for the team at this exciting time.”

WellChild are also involved in the Team England Footballers Charity new campaign to raise awareness for their charity partners called ‘Together We Are Stronger’. That campaign was launched on St George’s Day and is being used across the country in the media and on advertising billboards in the run up to the World Cup.

WellChild Children’s Nurse Elaine O’Brien took part in a photoshoot with Stephen Gerrard during the creation of that campaign. The Liverpool and England star said: “We came up with the idea of us standing alongside our charity partners to give them visibility and a voice at a time when the country is getting into World Cup gear and looking towards the team. People talk about footballers being stars but it is the likes of Elaine and the other WellChild nurses who are the real stars in life.”

 

Amazing fundraising For the Love of Bryony

The For the Love of Bryony Appeal has so far raised an incredible total of more than £75,000 for WellChild in memory of Bryony Aveyard.

Two big events in May to mark the culmination of the appeal were a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and a Grand Finale Ball at York Racecourse.

The ‘For the Love of Bryony’ appeal has seen the family and many friends and supporters from the York area and beyond take part in a whole range of fundraising events. Bryony Aveyard was only 11 years old when she was struck down with a brain haemorrhage and died. Her mum and dad Kath and Robert have worked tirelessly to raise as much money as possible for WellChild in her memory.

The Grand Finale ball was attended by many of the people who have supported the appeal and guests heard a speech by WellChild Children’s Nurse Elaine O’Brien who is based at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. She spoke about the work WellChild does for seriously ill children and their families and about some of the children the charity helps.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We can’t thank the Aveyard family and all their many supporters enough for the incredible work they have done to help WellChild in memory of Bryony. Because of them we can now help many more seriously ill children towards a better life. That is something which would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of Kath and Robert and of all the friends who have helped them raise so much money for WellChild.”

 

Just Walk a big success for WellChild

Fifty walkers and a 12 foot pink nurse joined WellChild, the national charity for sick children, at the Just Walk event at Goodwood last weekend - in order to help children who face great challenges in their daily lives.

WellChild was one of the official charity partners of Just Walk and its team of 50 walkers put their best foot forward in either a 60km or 40km challenge across the South Downs on May 15 – both routes were circular starting and finishing at Goodwood Racecourse.

Marathon legend Lloyd Scott took part in the event for WellChild wearing the charity’s mascot costume, Nessa the Nurse, a 12 foot pink nurse.

Lloyd shot to fame as a marathon fundraiser back in 2002 when he completed the London Marathon in five days in a deep sea diver’s suit. Since then, his fundraising efforts have included, among other things, riding a penny farthing 2,700 miles across Australia and swimming from John O’Groats to Lands End in a pool on the back of a lorry – raising millions of pounds for charity and earning him an MBE along the way.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer who also took part in the walk said: “It was a brilliant day with a fun, friendly atmosphere and I would like to thank Lloyd and all of our other walkers for their hard work in raise money for WellChild. They can be sure that the funds their raised on their walk will go to help seriously ill children and their families across the UK through our work of care, support and research.”

To organise your own Walk for WellChild event to support the charity call Karl on 0845 458 8171 or email challenge@wellchild.org.uk

 

Gloucestershire supporters Walk for WellChild

A group of Gloucestershire women went hiking in the Cotswold countryside this month to raise money for WellChild.

The friends were taking part in Walk for WellChild, the charity’s current fundraising campaign which asks supporters to go on all kinds of sponsored walks to raise funds. Between them the Cotswold walkers they raised more than £500 for WellChild with their ten mile country hike.

WellChild Director of Fundraising Miranda Chalk, who organized the event on May 7 and took part was delighted with the way it had gone. She said: “This is my idea of the best kind of fundraising; time spent with friends doing something we all want to do whilst at the same time raising money for something we all want to support. And it’s even good for us too!”

In another Gloucestershire Walk for WellChild event on Sunday May 9, ten supporters of the charity went for a "stroll and roll’’ – a walk through beautiful Timbercombe Wood followed by sandwiches and cake.

Walk for WellChild is a fun and exciting way that people can make a difference to the lives of seriously ill children and their families in the UK. WellChild’s challenge is that, during 2010, we want our supporters to take part in any kind of sponsored walk to help WellChild – it’s as simple as that! They will be joining with other schools, colleges, clubs and workplaces throughout the country who will all Walk for WellChild in 2010. To find out more about it – or sign up to do an event, visit walkforwellchild.org.uk

Walks can be serious or silly – anything from tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks to walking a Zebra Crossing dressed as the Beatles – or joining a leg of the British Coastal walk the only limit to the ways people can take part is their imagination.

Ideas could include a 24 hour sponsored stair walk, walk to work week, or a fancy dress walk – or sign up for the ultimate challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro. The money raised will go to help with WellChild’s work of care, support and research to aid seriously ill children in the UK. The charity’s particular aim this year is to raise as much money as possible for the WellChild Children’s Nurse appeal which aims to increase the number of WellChild nurses who work hard to get long term children out of hospital and cared for at home with their families.

 

Fiftieth birthday celebration for Helping Hands

WellChild is celebrating this month after the completion of our 50th Helping Hands project in Bristol.

The 50th project saw eight-year-old Hadiya Noor’s new bedroom completely transformed into a relaxing retreat where she can spend time when she returns from hospital in the near future. 

Hadiya has a condition called Glutaric Acidura which causes a build up of Glutaric acid causing her to become severely brain damaged. She also suffers from Developmental Delay which makes her unable to communicate verbally or have independent mobility. Due to this Hadiya is completely wheelchair dependent and requires constant care.

The two-day project undertaken by a team of volunteers from HSBC bank saw Hadiya’s bedroom transformed into a bright and colourful area for her to spend time in, including the installation of sensory lights and a woodland mural painted on one of the walls. Hadiya’s garden, which was itself an earlier Helping Hands project in 2008, will also be included in the project and have a special swing fitted so that she can play outside with her siblings.

Hadiya’s mum Abida Ahmed was delighted with the transformation of the bedroom and the work in the garden. She said: “It was brilliant and the room looks really, really beautiful. The volunteers came very early and worked really hard. It’s wonderful what you have done for us.”

The Helping Hands scheme was developed as a way to match teams of volunteers from companies to one-off home improvement projects that can make an immediate difference to the lives of sick children and their families who are often some of the most disadvantaged in society. The projects mostly take place within the homes of sick children and include garden transformation projects to room refurbishments where new furniture, equipment and learning and development aids have been provided.

             

In 2008 the scheme expanded to include other institutions which accommodate children with complex heath needs, including hospitals and special needs schools. The first of these was at the Hornsey Trust, a registered charity which supports children with cerebral palsy in Muswell Hill, London. The team, made up of volunteers from Reuters and Barclays Bank and overseen by WellChild, painted activity rooms and gave an overall facelift to the specialist school. Helping Hands projects have also been completed in Lewisham Hospital and most recently to a ward at Addenbrooks Hosptial, Cambridge.

Colin Dyer, WellChild Chief Executive, said: “We are all immensely proud that the WellChild Helping Hands Scheme has completed it’s 50th makeover. We know from our on-going contact with families and institutions that the projects we have undertaken have made a massive difference. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of volunteers that have worked on these Helping Hands projects over the years. Their hard work and dedication has been crucial in the creation of safe and happy environments for sick children to spend time in.” 

 

Join in with a spooky Walk for WellChild

As part of Walk for WellChild week (8 – 15 May), WellChild is encouraging supporters to organise different types of walk for their new fundraising campaign.  In response to this call for help, Parasoc (The Myers Paranormal Society) and Cheltenham Tourism have joined together to organise and publicise a series of ghost walks on Thursday 13 May.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted that Cheltenham Tourism and Parasoc are able to help us in this way. We were looking for original and exciting ideas for Walk for WellChild and these ghost walks are exactly that. I hope as many people as possible are able to take part in them – and have a spooky look at the area’s heritage as well as raise lots of money to help seriously ill children and their families through our programmes of care, support and research.”

Walk 1 is around the town centre and sets off first at 7.00pm from Cheltenham Town Hall, with Walk 2 starting off a little later from the same venue, at 8.00pm. Walk 3 takes place in Prestbury, one of the most haunted villages in the UK at 8.00pm from the Kings Arms public house in the high street. The walk and talk will be led by Chris Romer from TV’s “Most Haunted”, Hon. President of Parasoc and one of the world’s leading parapsychologists.

Tickets are £5.00 each (£6.00 for the Prestbury tour), and will be on sale at Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre from April (£4.75 of every ticket sold goes to WellChild). 

Ross Andrews, Chairman of Parasoc said “We are delighted to be asked by Wellchild to support their programme of events in May.

“People can now take a tour of haunted Cheltenham and learn about its ghostly history and murky past whilst raising some vital cash for a special charity at the same time. This is a fantastic opportunity for us all to make a real difference to sick children’s lives, by doing something pro-active to remain fit and healthy into the summer”.

     

This special one-off event is taking place ahead of Cheltenham’s regular weekly ghost walks that are scheduled to take place in August to March 2011 once a week, by the Parasoc team.

 

Everyman team lends a Helping Hand at Amberley Ridge School

A hard working team of volunteers from the Everyman Theatre has taken part in a WellChild Helping Hands project to transform the playroom of a special school in Stroud to make it a cheerful, welcoming place to learn.

Amberley Ridge School is a special school where all the children have a statement of special educational needs (SEN). These are children who would not cope for many reasons in a mainstream setting. Amberley Ridge School gives every child a fresh start by providing a nurturing and happy environment that offers the opportunity to improve, develop and achieve their individual potential.

A team of volunteer workers from the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, gave up their time to work on the playroom at Amberley Ridge School. The transformation included painting and freshening the school play area, installing a large specially painted mural in the play room and mounting animal themed mural cut outs on the walls of the school. The murals for the school were specially created by Cheltenham artist Rhys Cowe.

Among the volunteers was actress Zara Ramm, who appears in the Everyman pantomime and is a star of BBC children’s TV show Grandpa in My Pocket on CBeebies.

Jackie McKenzie from the Everyman Theatre said: "We were delighted to be able to work alongside WellChild to create an inviting play area for the pupils at Amberley Ridge and we hope they are pleased with the results.  It was a real change to get out of the office and work with people from different departments within the theatre as part of a team and very rewarding to see how quickly the space was transformed."

Fiona Wiseman, Deputy Head of Amberley Ridge School said: “I thought the volunteers were enthusiastic, committed and talented. They did a superb job. I think the results will inspire the children to read more and be more interested in writing. The school and the pupils are extremely grateful.”

Lee Trunks, the WellChild Helping Hands Project Manager, said he was delighted with the way the project had gone.

“We were able to make a real difference to the playroom and I’m sure the children at Amberley Ridge School will get a great deal of use out of it,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the staff from the Everyman Theatre for putting their heart and soul into the job and doing their bit to improve the life of a these young people. They worked hard and kept on smiling until the end!”

 

 

Summer fundraising blitz planned in Gloucestershire

WellChild is planning a blitz of fundraising in Gloucestershire this summer and it is appealing for the help of local people.

The charity, which provides care, support and research for seriously ill children and their families in the UK, will be holding its first ever street collection in Cheltenham on June 11. The charity is currently raising funds to increase the number of WellChild Children’s Nurses who look after children across the country with its Reach Out For Sick Children nurse appeal.

It is asking for volunteers who can spare a couple of hours between 9am and 4pm to help with the collection on the Promenade and High Street, Cheltenham. Collection tins will be provided.

For those who don’t mind dressing up for the occasion WellChild will be looking for volunteers to wear our 12 foot tall Nessa the Nurse mascot costume and WellChild hand costumes to help draw in the crowds and bring a smile to people’s faces.

After the collection volunteers will be invited back to WellChild’s offices in Royal Crescent for tea and cake.

As well as the Cheltenham collection WellChild has other fundraising events planned for which it needs volunteers. These are collections at Sainsbury’s store Barnett’s Way, Gloucester on Friday, 9th and Saturday, 10th July,  Tesco, Colletts Drive Cheltenham on Thursday, 26th August  and Tesco, St Oswalds Road, Gloucester on Wednesday, 29th September and Thursday, 30th September.

If you can help with any of these events please contact WellChild volunteer coordinator Cheryl Clapham on 0845 458 8171 or email her at volunteer@wellchild.org.uk

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “The people of Gloucestershire have always been very generous to WellChild with their support and we are thrilled to be having these collections in the county to raise much needed funds for our Reach Out For Sick Children nurse appeal. If you have some spare time and would like to raise money that is really going to make a difference to seriously ill children and their families then please come along and help us out.”

Find out more about WellChild volunteering opportunities here.

 

Well done to all our brilliant London Marathon runners

There was a day of fun and celebration at the London Marathon 2010 on Sunday as our fantastic team of runners did themselves and WellChild proud racing round the course on a warm day raising thousands of pounds for seriously ill children and their families in the process.

Our 200 WellChild runners put in a wonderful display and our noisy and enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers cheered them on loudly. After the race there was a WellChild reception at the Guards Museum on Birdcage Walk for our runners and their families with food and massages to ease aching muscles.

WellChild’s massive Nessa the Nurse mascot costume was in the marathon again thanks to Andy Wills of Cliftonville near Margate who attracted a huge amount of public support on the way as he battled round the course – breaking through the pain barrier to complete it. The costume weighs around two stone and is among the tallest ever to take part in the London Marathon.

WellChild’s thanks go out to all of our runners and volunteers who proved they will go the extra mile to help seriously ill children and their families.

If you would like to apply for a WellChild place at the 2011 London marathon you can find more details here.

Together We Are Stronger is the message from England football team

The Team England Footballers Charity has launched a new campaign to raise awareness for their charity partners – including WellChild – called ‘Together We Are Stronger’.

The campaign was launched on St George’s Day and images – which include WellChild Nurse Elaine O’Brien – will be used in the run up to this year’s World Cup across the country in the media and on advertising billboards.

England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard explained: “We came up with the idea of us standing alongside our charity partners to give them visibility and a voice at a time when the country is getting into World Cup gear and looking towards the team. People talk about footballers being stars but it is the likes of Elaine and the other WellChild Nurses who are the real stars in life.”

Following the England players' decision to set up their own charitable trust – the Team England Footballers Charity – the England players donate international match fees, as well as their time, to WellChild and other charity partners to help raise awareness of our work and vital services.

WellChild Nurse Elaine, who is based at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, met with Stephen Gerrard at a photoshoot for the Together We Are Stronger campaign. She said: ““Any support that WellChild gets is excellent – the nurses can only do it with the funding behind it – and the England footballers have obviously kindly donated the match fees to WellChild which will help a long way to funding more research and nurses.

“On top of the money, the profile they have delivered for us is fantastic. I’ll be cheering the team on and obviously hoping that they do really well – because we support them as much as they support us.”

It is hoped that the striking Together We Are Stronger  campaign images will capture the imagination this summer, and Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe commented: "Campaigns like this and the charity work we do means the world to us to be honest and we're proud of what we are achieving off the pitch"

The player’s ‘Together We Are Stronger’ message also reaches out to the fans whose support is crucial in the lead up to and during the World Cup tournament.

 

Steven Gerrard added: “We want to let the fans know that we’re pulling together in the right direction and we need their support.  Together We Are Stronger is a superb message to send out before the World Cup because for us to be successful in the summer everyone needs to stick together – the players, the manager and the supporters.”

 

Pink and black celebrations raise funds for our marathon runners

All over the country WellChild’s London Marathon runners have been hard at work not only training for the run but also fundraising for WellChild.

Among the many events which have taken place to help raise money for seriously ill children and their families are two organised to support WellChild marathon runners Kelly Martin and Sue Wong.

Two fun and exciting evenings were held to support the runners – a BlackTie Ball and a Pink Party both held at the Marine Hotel in Tankerton, Kent. The two events, pictured here, both went with a swing and raised lots of money towards Kelly and Sue’s fundraising targets. They didn’t stop there but organised other events such as a curry night and a health spa day as well.

Among their supporters is Julie Maver, a teacher at Chaucer College, who will be attending the London marathon to watch them in action with an enthusiastic group of Japanese students from the college. They will be cheering on Kelly, Sue and the rest of the 200 WellChild runners as they complete the 26 mile course.

 

 

Our knight in shining armour at Just Walk

Marathon legend Lloyd Scott will be heading for Goodwood next month complete with his full suit of medieval armour, and with a huge pink nurse and many hundreds of other people for company.

Lloyd is urging as many people as possible to join him when he takes part in the Just Walk charity event which starts and finishes at Goodwood Racecourse on Saturday May 15th and is being promoted by WellChild as part of its new Walk For WellChild Week.

He shot to fame as a marathon fundraiser back in 2002 when he completed the London Marathon in five days in a deep sea diver’s suit. Since then, his fundraising efforts have included, among other things, riding a penny farthing 2,700 miles across Australia and swimming from John O’Groats to Lands End in a pool on the back of a lorry – raising millions of pounds for charity and earning him an MBE along the way.

Lloyd will take part in Just Walk on May 15th as a knight in shining armour guarding the WellChild mascot Nessa the Nurse – a 12 foot pink nurse who is the tallest mascot ever to take part in the London Marathon. His suit of armour is made of steel, weighs around 100 pounds and was built for him to do the London Marathon as St George pulling a dragon – a feat which took him more than eight days to complete.

The unlikely pair will be a stand-out attraction at the Just Walk event and there is still the chance for more sensible walkers to join Lloyd and Nessa the Nurse on the walk as WellChild has places available for the event. The charity is one of the official partners of Just Walk which allows people to choose from a variety of distances across the South Downs starting and finishing at Goodwood Racecourse – making the event a great day out for people of all ages and abilities from children in pushchairs to experienced ramblers.

Lloyd Scott said: “This is a brilliant event and a great chance to raise money for WellChild which is a really deserving charity helping sick kids across the UK.

“It will be tough going struggling round the course in a full suit of armour, but nothing like as tough as the lives some of these children lead with great bravery. Please support them by taking part in Just Walk and raising money for WellChild.”

Hundreds of people have already signed up for the event which is fast becoming one of the most popular of its kind in the UK. People wishing to take part – or to organise their own Walk for WellChild event – should call Karl at WellChild on 0845 458 8171 or email challenge@wellchild.org.uk

After Just Walk, Lloyd’s next challenge will be attempting to run a marathon 12,000 feet underground in the world’s deepest mine, the Mponeng gold mine just outside Johannesburg. Lloyd will be taking part in the challenge to raise funds for the Team England Footballers’ Charity which supports charities including WellChild and the Bobby Moore Fund.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “It’s brilliant that Lloyd has agreed to be Nessa’s knight in shining armour, we want as many people as possible to get behind us and take part in Just Walk to make it a brilliant day to remember and a great fundraiser for children who really need our help.”

 

Help children at home and abroad with WellChild and UNICEF at Just Walk

Walkers have the chance to do a good turn for children in need both at home and abroad by taking part in the upcoming Just Walk event for children’s charities WellChild and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.

The money raised by UNICEF walkers will support UNICEF’s ‘Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS’ campaign, supporting children who are orphaned, or have been made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. WellChild will use their money to help seriously ill children and their families throughout the UK.

The Just Walk event, on May 15, starting and finishing at Goodwood Racecourse, is a great opportunity for walkers who want to avoid the FA Cup final that day and instead get outside and enjoy a walk in the countryside for a good cause. Those taking part can choose a 10km, 20km, 60km or 40km challenge.

Walkers  will also receive excellent fundraising support including online fundraising pages at www.justgiving.com/wellchild or www.unicef.org.uk/myfundraising as well as on-course support from WellChild and UNICEF staff and volunteers and an invitation to the WellChild post-walk marquee with on-site massage. But most importantly, there is the opportunity to make a difference to sick children all over the UK and to support UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said the Walk for WellChild is a fun, healthy event for all the family to be involved in. He said: “At WellChild we offer help and support to seriously ill children and their families so it is great to be involved in an event where families can take part in a challenge which will raise money to help children in the UK who face tough health challenges of their own.”

UNICEF UK, Director of Fundraising, Julie Weston comments: “Whether you are a beginner or pro, by simply taking part in ‘Just Walk’ for UNICEF, walkers will be able to make a real difference to the lives of some of the poorest children worldwide. HIV and AIDS continues to rob countless children of their parents, their families, their chance to go to school, and in many cases, their lives. UNICEF believes this is wrong, but together, we can put it right.”

We are asking our walkers to pay an initial donation and to raise a minimum target based on the route they choose. £150 for the 40km route which includes an initial donation of £30 and £200 for the 60km route which also includes an initial donation of £30.

To take part in the Just Walk Challenge for WellChild – or organise your own Walk for WellChild event to support us call Karl on 0845 458 8171 or email challenge@wellchild.org.uk

To take part in the Just Walk challenge for UNICEF – or to organise your own fundraising event call Sarah on 0207 375 6113 or email  justwalk@unicef.org.uk

 

You magazine features WellChild Nurses

WellChild Nurses and the children and families they care for made a big impact in a recent feature in the Mail On Sunday's You magazine.

The article, headlined, "'We want to be at home' How WellChild nurses help families with severely ill children," features our Cardiff WellChild Nurse Rhian and some of the many families and children she supports.

The article highlighted our Reach Out for Sick Children nurse appeal and called for nominations for the 2010 WellChild awards. Read the You magazine article in full here.

 

WellChild welcomes new document from the Council for Disabled Children

WellChild has welcomed a new report from the Council for Disabled Children called: "Guidelines on the discharge from hospital of children and young people with high support needs". We believe that the document is a move forward in recognising the need for better discharge. The report can be read here.

WellChild continues to campaign on this issue jointly with the Royal College of Nursing with our Better at Home campaign.

 

WellChild announces further funding for children and young people

WellChild has welcomed the announcement, made today by Health Secretary Andy Burnham, of an extra £30 million funding for the care of children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

  

We are especially satisfied with the fact that the Health Secretary has made it clear that this money “will help the NHS continue to move their palliative care services out of hospitals and into children's own homes” and give children and their families “more choice over their care”.

Coming so soon after the government’s commitment to help children and young people who have long-term conditions, disabilities and palliative care needs to spend less time in hospital – this announcement further reinforces WellChild’s charitable aims and adds weight to our WellChild Children’s Nurse programme and Better At Home campaign which was launched last year in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing.

WellChild believes that putting the needs of the child, young person and their families first by making sure that high quality care is available is crucially important. Not only will this be of enormous practical, emotional and financial benefit for families, but will save valuable financial resources at a time when the focus is on efficiency savings within the NHS.

 

As highlighted by the Better at Home campaign, WellChild would now like to see like to see the same support and commitment extended to the growing number of children and young people with long-term complex health needs and disabilities, including those who are technology dependent. This group of vulnerable children do not currently require palliative care but in many cases still remain in hospital when their care could be provided at home, allowing them and their families a better quality of life. This growing need for better access to community services, more integrated packages of care and greater investment in community children's nurses could provide even more families with the same the opportunity, whilst also further reducing the NHS care budget.

 

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said "This is very good news for thousands of families. Having choice, and access to services which are tailored to their needs rather than receiving care which is based upon the availability of services is urgently needed, and something which is at the heart of WellChild's services This investment will not only strengthen the very important role played by children's hospices but will help to support their vital community outreach services. In addition the impact on the wider community services will help to pave the way for further improvements in the care packages available for these families.

 

Walk for WellChild launches - with a little help from our friends

WellChild is launching its Walk for WellChild campaign this week – with help from some of its friends in Gloucestershire.

Walk for WellChild Week is a fun and exciting way that people can make a difference to the lives of seriously ill children and their families in the UK. WellChild’s challenge is that we want our supporters to take part in any kind of sponsored walk to help WellChild – it’s as simple as that!

They will be joining with other schools, colleges, clubs and workplaces throughout the country who will all Walk for WellChild in 2010. At the heart of our efforts will be Walk for WellChild Week from Saturday May 8th to Saturday May 15th.

To launch the event WellChild has a new website at www.walkforwellchild.org.uk  with funny videos to offer some ideas and get people in the spirit of the event. The videos were made with the help of some of WellChild’s local supporters including children and adults from the Dancestars dance school in Gloucester, who dressed up as farmers for a hoe-down.

Dancestars principal Sarah Hall said: “It’s great to be able to support a good cause like WellChild and help them with their aim to get everyone to Walk for WellChild. The kids were really excited to take part in the video and it was a lot of fun to do!”

Among the other stars of the Walk for WellChild videos are Cheltenham IT specialist Phil Stephens, who donned women’s high heels and a traffic Warden uniform for his clip, biker Kelvin Barnett of Greet near Cheltenham and WellChild staff member Karl Gwilliam from Gloucester – who dressed as a ballet dancer in a tutu. LA Fitness in Cheltenham also helped out by letting us use their running machines.

During Walk for WellChild Week from May 8th to May 15th the big Just Walk event will take place on the South Downs with more than a hundred WellChild supporters taking part to raise as much money as they can for sick children. But our aim is that, up and down the country, lots of other WellChild supporters will be putting their best foot forward for the cause.

Walks can be serious or silly – anything from tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks to walking a Zebra Crossing dressed as the Beatles – or joining a leg of the British Coastal walk www.furryfeettv/coastal/coastal_walks.asp the only limit to the ways people can take part is their imagination.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “It’s fantastic to see people getting involved. We could like as many people as possible in schools, offices, sports clubs, nurseries and more to start planning now ready to get sponsored and take part in Walk for WellChild in May.”

The charity’s particular aim this year is to raise as much money as possible for the WellChild Children’s Nurse Appeal which aims to increase the number of WellChild Nurses who work hard to get long term children out of hospital and cared for at home with their families.

 

Easter treat for Gloucestershire children

WellChild has got together with the Holiday Inn Express in Cheltenham to bring an Easter treat to kids from Amberley Ridge School in Stroud.

A giant Easter chick from the Holiday Inn visited the children at the school at Rodborough Common, on Wednesday March 31, handing out Easter eggs to the excited children. The chick visited each class in the school distributing eggs and spending time particularly with the younger children.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted to have been able to help organise this treat for the children at Amberley Ridge and we thank our supporters at the Holiday Inn Express for all their help and hard work. I’m sure the kids were thrilled by the visit and delighted to get the eggs.”

Kimberley Hatherall from the Holiday Inn Express, Cheltenham said: “We are really happy to be supporting WellChild and Amberley Ridge School.  It’s a great pleasure for us to give disadvantaged children the opportunity to celebrate spring!”

A spokesperson for Amberley Ridge School said: “The children are very excited about the visit and we would like to thank Holiday Inn and Wellchild for arranging this seasonal treat.”

Amberley Ridge school provides a fresh start for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It values the children in its care as individuals and aims to build their self esteem by providing opportunities for them to achieve success. The school also aims to enhance their personal and social development and provide them with necessary skills to become effective learners.

 

Fantastic effort from Whitehaven walkers

A big thank you goes out to the children and adults from the Whitehaven area of West Cumbria who Walked for WellChild by taking part in a 20 mile walk in March to raise money both for WellChild and for the Children’s Cancer fund at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.

The walk was organised by Whitehaven teacher Rob Huck MBE. Many of the pupils from Whitehaven School, where he works, took part in the event. Here Mr Huck tells us, in his own words, about the walk and what inspired him to organise it.

“Athletes thrive on the rush of adrenalin they sometimes experience before a major race. Individuals within our community experience a similar "rush" that motivates them and drives them on to achieve something they wouldn’t ordinarily achieve.

In the year 2000 my three year old niece, Poppy, was rushed into hospital with meningitis. She survived, relatively unmarked, but her parents and I were moved by the attention and dedication she received from the nurses in Newcastle Hospital. We felt indebted to them, and wanted to give something back.

Poppy’s dad Peter actually walked from Cockermouth, her hometown, to Newcastle (130 miles) to raise money for that ward. I decided to organise a 20 mile sponsored walk with my year group, and we managed to raise £2,700.

In 2005, a close friend of my daughter, Ella Gray, died aged 24 of cancer. She was buried on a Tuesday, and on the following Saturday my wife and I sat down with her parents for a meal. It was very emotional, and during our discussions they expressed their gratitude and respect for the nurses and staff of the palliative care unit, "The Henderson Suite", at West Cumberland Hospital, where Ella spent much of her final days. 

I offered to organise a sponsored walk and delivered assemblies to my students about the cause. The response was magnificent and we raised £11,668, 42p. £10,000 of that went to the Henderson Suite, and the remaining £1,668, 42p to West Cumbria Hospice at Home.

A couple of years ago my nephew and Godchild, baby Archie died, tragically aged 16 weeks from the rare genetic disorder Pateau Syndrome. More recently a young girl, Adele George, from Cockermouth School, tragically died, aged 15, after a very brave and determined fight against cancer. Hence the walk. 

We had 289 walkers, several toddlers and dogs, most of whom completed the full 20 miles. Adele’s parents and younger brother, along with her school friends, relatives and teachers, also did the walk. How amazing is that?

It was a very electric and emotionally charged atmosphere, with all the walkers wearing pink or purple (Adele’s favourite colours) as a mark of respect to her memory. The students and teachers from Whitehaven school spontaneously gave all the walkers from Cockermouth, a warm and supportive round of applause. Total strangers respecting and acknowledging the pain all these people were going through at that very difficult time. 

I was last out and last in, in order to ensure the safety of our students, leaving at 10.30am, and returning with some very sore, tired, yet determined 13 year olds at 7.45pm, over nine hours later. A quick estimation at the end of the night suggests that we will raise in excess of £12,000, which, given the many areas of nationally recognised social deprivation in Whitehaven, allied to the current economic climate, is absolutely magnificent!

I will close by quoting a text I received from Josh, a year 7 pupil after the walk:  “Thanks Sir, had a good time. Am off home now. Dun it in 7 hawers. Josh.”  I think this sums it up in many ways. Being pleased to have been involved, enjoying the experience, and the matter of fact expression that the job was done. It is so refreshingly honest and matter of fact.

At a time when the media are vitriolic in their condemnation of the youth of today, I find immeasurable comfort, in seeing all these wonderfully kind, unselfish and compassionate young people giving up their time voluntarily to help and support people that are less fortunate than themselves. I am so very proud.

I am also very proud of my daughter, Kirsty and my son in law Andrew who ran the full 20 miles in preparation for the London Marathon where they will be running for WellChild.“

 

Morrisons bag pack raises funds

WellChild raised and amazing £845 at a bag packing event at Tewkesbury Morrisons on December 19 when around 20 volunteers turned up to raise money and support the cause.

A team of helpers aided busy Christmas shoppers at the store from 9am to by packing their groceries for them in return for donations which will go to fund WellChild’s work of care, support and research for seriously ill children in the UK.

WellChild Communications Officer Chris Hill said the event was a huge success and he thanked Morrisons the shoppers and the WellChild volunteers for their kind support.

“It was a great day and everyone at the supermarket was lovely. We are very grateful to all the volunteers who came along to help us and they can be sure the money raised will be well used in our programmes of care, support and research,” he said.

WellChild is always on the lookout for volunteers to help at events and if you wish to volunteer please contact Cheryl Clapham at WellChild on 0845 458 8171 or email volunteer@wellchild.org.uk

 

Thanks for all your support - and please keep it up!

WellChild’s Christmas Cards in partnership with the England football players have been a huge hit this year – with more than ten thousand sold throughout the country bringing in vital funds to help sick children and their families.

And our Christmas Nurse appeal has also hit the mark – provoking a great response from our supporters who have read about it in our newsletter and online.

 

But our appeal goes on as we still need to raise as much money as possible so we can further roll out our WellChild Children’s Nurse programme nationwide.

Our Christmas cards featured England and Chelsea captain John Terry, his club-mate Ashley Cole, Aston Villa pair Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, and Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge. They lined up to paint their hands and make their mark so that seriously ill children could decorate the prints with Christmas designs to make the novel and unique cards. They proved a great success selling well across the UK.

Meanwhile our Christmas appeal highlighted some of the success stories we have had getting children home from hospital and some of the cases where children are still in hospital – longing to be back with their families.

We still need as much financial help as we can get to expand our team of nurses – our eventual aim is to offer help to every seriously ill child and their family who needs it. If you would like to donate to WellChild click here.

 

MP's Christmas cheer for WellChild

WellChild was featured on Christmas cards sent by Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood to 25,000 homes in the town this year.

The design on the front of the cards was a drawing of a robin by seven year old Finnley, who has a complex and serious bladder condition and is one of the many children WellChild helps. Inside the card was Finnley’s story and a short explanation of the work of WellChild.

Each card carried a message from Liberal Democrat MP Mr Horwood who said: “WellChild is a charity based in Cheltenham which helps seriously ill children and their families right across the UK. Having seen their work first hand, I know how valuable a Christmas gift to them would be.”

Mr Horwood also sent out another 25,000 cards promoting the work of the Leukaemia and Intensive Chemotherapy Fund which is based at Cheltenham General Hospital.

Martin Horwood said "We're lucky to have a wonderful NHS locally but even with fantastic professional care, there is always a little extra help that can make all the difference to people and families facing illness and sometimes difficult treatment.  LINC and WellChild both support those coping with illness in their different and highly specialist ways and I know that those who have used their services cannot praise them highly enough. 

“Cheltenham should be very proud of both charities and I'm certainly proud to do a little to help them.  I know money is tight for many people this year but anyone who is in a position to support them will know that their gift will be very much appreciated."

 

Duncan Bannatyne brings early Christmas present for children in Barrow

One of our Ambassadors, Duncan Bannatyne, was on hand to welcome the latest addition to our unique and growing team of WellChild Children’s Nurses. From the start of December 2009 WellChild Nurse Melanie Hill will be working with families of children with long-term and complex care needs in and around Barrow-in-Furness.

Duncan, the Dragon’s Den star and multi-millionaire businessman' has donated more than £150,000 to WellChild to help fund the new WellChild Children’s Nurse in Cumbria. This appointment guarantees a WellChild community children’s nurse for families in Barrow for years to come with the aim of giving these children the best possible start in life.

Duncan has been supporting us for the past few years and is a regular at our annual WellChild Awards ceremony, presenting Awards this year alongside WellChild Royal Patron Prince Harry at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel.

Duncan’s attendance at that ceremony – which celebrates some of the bravest young people in the UK as they cope with serious illness and allows some of the children cared for by the charity to mingle with celebrities – has given him the chance to learn more about the work of the team of WellChild Children’s Nurses. At the 2009 Awards Duncan made an impassioned plea to the star-studded audience to follow his lead in supporting WellChild so that other areas of the UK could benefit in the way that Barrow is about to.

All of the WellChild Children’s Nurses attend the WellChild Awards ceremony, and it was that opportunity to listen and learn about their work which first led Duncan to investigate the possibility of investing in the growth of the team. He said: “The work which is being done by WellChild and the WellChild Nurses across the country is absolutely remarkable, but there is so much more to be done.

“Having looked at the way in which WellChild fund their team of nurses, and the fact that the funding ensures a long-term resource for families with seriously ill children in each region, it really made sense for me to invest. I would urge as many people as possibly to join me in investing in the future of these children and young people.”

WellChild Nurse Melanie has experience of working in both a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Community Team, Primary Care Out of Hours General Practice and Paediatric A&E services. Her appointment was welcomed by several local families with experience of seriously ill children, including Mum of Harrison, Jo Holmes from Barrow, who joined staff from NHS Cumbria and WellChild in selecting the right person for the job.

Dr Amanda Boardman is NHS Cumbria’s Deputy GP Lead for Children’s Services based in Barrow. She commented: “The new WellChild Nurse is an addition to a large and expanding team of community-based specialists in Furness. By working alongside these families in hospital and at home she will provide them with the vital personal support they need, closer to home and help people access the excellent services already in place and planned in Cumbria. We are delighted to commit to the long-term funding of this invaluable post which exemplifies all we are striving to achieve for children’s health services in Cumbria.”

 

John Evans appointed as new Chairman of WellChild

John Evans has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at WellChild, the national charity for sick children, following a board meeting held on Thursday (December 3rd).

John, who has been Acting Chairman of the charity’s board for several months, is Managing Director of Osiris Commodity Consultants Ltd which operates in the wholesale energy markets.

Previously he was with the Spectron Group for 12 years, a global energy broking company, where he was MD of business development. He started as a money broker in 1974 and later spent 17 years with EXCO ending up as Director of Capital Markets before moving into what was then the new market of energy in 1996. At Spectron he ran the UK electricity desk for five years before moving into a senior management role.

John has been involved with WellChild since 1981 when he participated in a hot coals walking event, and has been a Trustee for the last seven years. He is married to Linda and has one son Paul, who works in the City, and enjoys golf and travelling.

New hope for sick children in Wales

WellChild is funding a new post at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to provide a WellChild Children’s Nurse. This role will help seriously ill children with complex health needs across South and Mid Wales to leave hospital and return home with the care and treatment they need. The new nurse post was launched on December 7.

The WellChild Children’s Nurse, Rhian Greenslade will be based in Cardiff as part of the Children’s Community Nursing Service and will work with staff and the community in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to support families locally and from a wider population across South and Mid Wales.

The WellChild Children’s Nurse will arrange and coordinate the care needed for children to live at home as well as providing emotional and practical support.  Rhian has previously worked with children and young people with complex health needs in Ty Gwyn Special School in Cardiff.

In those parts of the UK where there is still no WellChild Children’s Nurse to provide a dedicated link between all the health professionals and different services required to care for a child with complex health needs, children can remain in hospital for months, even years, when it is better for their emotional and physical wellbeing to be at home with their families. It is also more cost efficient to care for a child at home than in hospital.

Children who will benefit from the new WellChild Children’s Nurse are those like baby Daniel who was born at 24 weeks and has serious breathing problems. Daniel might not have had to wait 12 months in hospital while the care he needed was prepared if a WellChild Children’s Nurse had been available to start the planning his discharge home as early as possible and to follow up on all the necessary arrangements.

WellChild’s pilot Children’s Nurse programme began in 2006, and the success of that pilot has resulted in the creation of permanent posts in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London and Oxford. A further nurse will be added to the team in Cumbria in 2009 funded by a generous donation from WellChild Ambassador and entrepreneur, Duncan Bannatyne.

WellChild continues to fundraise to add to its team so that long-term sick children across the United Kingdom will benefit from these services. WellChild’s programme ensures that each new nurse appointment has a long-lasting impact. A WellChild Children’s Nurse costs approximately £55,000 per year, with the charity provides funding for the first three years. The relevant local healthcare authority should then continue that post’s funding and management to guarantee an on-going legacy of care.

Linda Partridge, WellChild’s Director of Programmes, said: “We have worked to make sure that the essential service now provided by WellChild Children’s Nurses in regions of the UK have a long-reaching impact. Our target is for every seriously ill child or young person to have access to a WellChild Children’s Nurse, and I am delighted that we have now been able to extend that support into Wales.”

WellChild’s research demonstrates that at any one time there are around 200 children in England alone who have been in hospital for more than three months. Many of these children have spent the majority of their lives sleeping in wards rather than bedrooms and, because of all the specialist care they need, they are unable to join their parents and siblings even for key family events such as birthdays and Christmas. Our Better at Home campaign, in conjunction with the Royal College of Nursing, explores the issues around improving care for children with complex health needs at home will be moving into Wales in 2010.

The WellChild Nurses programme was established to address this clear gap in the provision of care and support for sick children with long-term serious illness and complex conditions. They provide practical and emotional support, where often no other support exists, allowing such children to be cared for at home.

Dancestars raise the roof for WellChild

Youngsters from Gloucestershire dance school Dancestars put their heart and soul into their performance at their Christmas show on Friday and raised £450 for WellChild, the national charity for sick children.

Dancestars is based in Gloucester and teaches ballroom and Latin dance to pupils of all ages, from young children to adults. Its Christmas party took place on December 4 at St Peter’s Social Club, Gloucester.

At the event pupils from the school put on a cabaret of dance and acting based on a pantomime of Robin Hood to show what they have been learning throughout the year. Money was raised through ticket sales, a raffle and a collection for WellChild, the national charity for sick children, which is based in Cheltenham.

Dancestars principal Sarah Hall thanked everyone who came along and made the evening such a big success.

“It was a fantastic evening full of energy and enthusiasm,” she said, “I’m really pleased everyone turned up to support Dancestars on our 10th anniversary and raised such a lot of money for a good cause too.”

WellChild Communications Officer Chris Hill said: “The dancers put on a fantastic show and the support WellChild received at the event was wonderful. It was a pleasure to go along to see everyone enjoying themselves and tell them a bit about the work WellChild does for sick children and their families.”

 

Dobbies bring tree-mendous Christmas spirit

Garden Centre chain Dobbies is asking the public across the country to get in the festive spirit and send in photographs of their beautiful Christmas trees, in a competition which will raise money for children’s charity WellChild.

All you need do to enter is take a photo of your brilliant Christmas tree and send it to Dobbies via their website here. A prize of £250 in Dobbies vouchers will go to the winner in each of four categories – most traditional tree, most colourful tree, most stylish tree and biggest tree.

And in the true spirit of Christmas, for each picture uploaded, Dobbies Garden Centres will donate 50p to WellChild, up to a maximum of £2,000 – to aid the charity’s work with seriously ill children throughout the UK.

To take part in the competition simply go to the website and send your picture with a short description of your tree and say which category you are entering. The closing date for entries is 9am on December 24, 2009 and the winners will be announced on December 28, 2009. A panel of judges made up of Dobbies plant experts, visual merchandisers and interior designers will select the winners

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer thanked Dobbies for their support.

“Christmas is a time for children and they all love the tree and colourful decorations so it is fantastic that Dobbies have chosen to support us in this way,” he said.

“The money people help to raise by sending in photos of their wonderful Christmas trees will all be put to good use in WellChild’s work of care, support and research to help sick children and their families.”

 

Yours Magazine tells Madison's story

The current issue of Yours magazine has a feature about one of the young children supported by WellChild - two year old Madison who is now at home with her family thanks to the help of WellChild nurse Elaine.

The popular fortnightly magazine tells the story of Madison’s illness and her fight to get well enough to return to her family home in Lancashire after spending most of her life in Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool.

Yours tells Madison’s story through the eyes of her gran Colleen Laffy and Collen’s mum Margaret both of whom are delighted to have Madison back at home in time for Christmas.

In the article Colleen tells how both she and great gran Margaret have done their best to help out the family throughout the tough times when Madison was in hospital and how delighted they both are to have the little girl back at home with the familiy where she belongs.

 

Raise money while Christmas shopping

Here’s a great opportunity to raise money for WellChild while doing your Christmas shopping.

This festive season you can donate money to help sick children and their families across the UK without spending any extra cash.

Take the trouble out of choosing your gifts by shopping via www.giveortake.com which features hundreds of great stores, including Amazon, eBay, Boots and M&S.

Just sign up here and, at no extra cost to you, you’ll have the option of donating around 10 per cent of the value of everything you buy to WellChild.

Why not try it and give a gift not only to your nearest and dearest but to seriously ill children too?

 

ACT event raises funds for WellChild

WellChild benefited from the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) annual dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 11 November 2009. 

One of our celebrity ambassadors Duncan Bannatyne encouraged everyone to donate towards a WellChild nurse and almost £35,000 was raised through a prize draw and silent auction on the night. 

WellChild volunteers, including the current Miss Galaxy Canterbury, did a fantastic job in encouraging donations and our thanks go to them for their valuable support at this and other WellChild events.   

 

England stars lend a hand with Christmas cards

England football stars are giving sick children a helping hand by donating their hand prints to WellChild for a unique series of Christmas cards.

England and Chelsea captain John Terry, his club-mate Ashley Cole, Aston Villa pair Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, and Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge lined up to paint their hands and make their mark so that seriously ill children could decorate the prints with Christmas designs to make the novel and unique cards.

The players together with WellChild, hope the cards will raise awareness about the work WellChild does and also raise vital funds to support as many seriously ill children and their families in the UK as possible.

John Terry said: “It would be great to see as many people as possible supporting WellChild by buying these cards this Christmas.  I know the children have worked really hard on them and the finished results look fantastic. These are cards which do more than just send a greeting – they show you care about vulnerable kids who need your help.”

The hand designs were chosen to reflect WellChild’s logo which is an adult hand holding a child’s hand. The finished cards are colourful and unusual – unique designs each featuring a personal touch from an England football star.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said; “We are delighted that the England football players have been able to help WellChild create these unique Christmas cards. We wanted to come up with an idea which was fun, original and distinctive.”

“The cards are a fantastic way of supporting WellChild and sending a festive greeting which is a little different from the norm. All profits made from the cards will go to helping us in our work to care for and support sick children and their families, in addition to assisting in the funding of our ground-breaking research.”

You can order the cards online here http://shop.wellchild.org.uk/ or by phone on 0845 458 8171.

The England players support WellChild through their Team England Footballers Charity – donating match fees to WellChild right up until the end of the 2010 World Cup, and giving up their time to support the charity and to spend time with young people supported by WellChild.

Some very special children have helped WellChild and the England players to create the Christmas cards:

 

• Nine-year-old Joachim was born with a condition which squashed his lungs and prevented them from developing properly. At four days old, a member of the WellChild-funded team at Kings Hospital operated on Joachim for the first time to investigate the damage to his lungs and his family were told for the first time that there was a good chance he would survive. When he was two months old, Joachim was strong enough to breathe on his own and he went home for the first time, only to be back in hospital a few months later when an x-ray revealed that his heart had been pushed to the wrong side of his body due to the damage to his lungs. Treatment to stop his lungs growing any bigger addressed the problem and Joachim is now doing incredibly well and is rarely even absent from school, although he still sees the WellChild-funded team at the hospital for regular check-ups.

 

• Seven-year-old Finnley became unwell when he was three months old and was diagnosed with a complex and serious bladder condition. He weighed less at six months old than he did at birth, spent half a year in hospital with his mum, underwent surgery, and was fed through a tube as he was completely unable to digest his own food. Finnley still has to visit hospital regularly and still has a daily regime of medication and assisted feeding. However, the vast majority of the time he is able to be cared for at home and attends mainstream school where he has friends who understand his condition. WellChild Nurses help children like Finnley to be cared for at home with their families rather than in hospital.

 

• Nine-year-old Lizzie had an operation to remove a tumour from her coccyx bone when she was just four days old and her parents were told that there was just a 50 per cent chance that she would ever be able to walk and that there is a possibility she won’t be able to have children of her own. In addition, Lizzie’s condition was so rare that doctors were not able to tell her parents exactly what pain or symptoms she may get over the years. Despite all of this, Lizzie took her first steps at eight months old and has not let her condition hold her back. She attends regular school and even started judo lessons when she was three. WellChild works for children and young people with all kinds of serious illnesses and conditions.

 

• Eight-year-old Bradley has both Down’s Syndrome and Spinal Muscular Atrophy making him possibly the only child in the world known to have both conditions. He is unable to walk or sit up on his own, has had metal rods inserted into his spine, is fed through a tube, and sleeps so little that he can wake more than 20 times a night. His parents realised they needed more help with Bradley’s complex conditions, and were put in touch with a WellChild Nurse. That Nurse has relieved the pressure on the family by offering vital support and putting more care in place – including extra help through the night. Bradley is now able to attend school where he is thriving. WellChild Nurses help children like Bradley to be cared for at home with their families rather than in hospital.

 

• Eight-year-old Chloe had brain surgery to remove a very large cyst at the age of three which affected some of her nerves and her ability to swallow. The surgery also caused excess fluid in her brain and caused a heart attack. She became ill again six years later and had surgery to remove a blockage of fluid in her spinal cord, which again affected her ability to swallow, her sight and even her smile. When Chloe’s needs became too complex, a WellChild Nurse stepped in to co-ordinate all the different carers involved and to make sure the family’s voice was heard. That WellChild Nurse has helped to train Chloe’s parents to carry our some of the procedures their daughter needs, and Chloe has now been home from hospital for seven months.

 

Incredible fundraising for the love of Bryony

The Aveyard family from York who are fundraising for WellChild in memory of their daughter Bryony have now raised an incredible £40,000.

The ‘For the Love of Bryony’ appeal has seen the family and many friends and supporters from the York area and beyond take part in a whole range of fundraising events. One key event was the Great North Run in which a large team of ‘For the Love of Bryony’ runners completed the race.

Bryony Aveyard was only 11 years old when she was struck down with a brain haemorrhage and died last year. Now her mum and dad are determined to raise as much money as possible for WellChild in her memory.

Her mum Kath Aveyard said: “Losing Bryony has been unbearable, but it has certainly made us appreciate what wonderful people there are in the world.”

The latest event the family is organising is a dinner, dance and auction at the Royal York Hotel on November 28. Tickets for the black-tie event cost £35.

To support the For the Love of Bryony appeal visit their just giving page at www.justgiving.com/bryonyaveyard

For the full story on the Aveyards' latest fundraising success see the article on the family in the York Evening Press

here.

 

Shelbi's big day at Wembley

WellChild Award winner Shelbi Grist from Hampshire had a fantastic experience on Wednesday October 14 when she attended the England football game at Wembley as a guest of the England players.

WellChild are partners with the Team England Footballers Charity so they invited Shelbi, 15, along to watch England’s three-nil victory over Belarus in their final World Cup qualifier.

Shelbi won the WellChild Award for Bravest Child, aged 12 to 15 at the ceremony in London on September 28.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said: “We are delighted Shelbi had such a wonderful time watching the England match. Her bravery was an inspiration at the WellChild Awards which is why Team England invited her to the game.”

Shelbi was delighted to attend the match. A keen sportswoman, she plays wheelchair basketball and was thrilled to watch the England football team in action.

After the match Shelbi said: Thank you so much. Wembley was amazing. It's so pretty. The match was amazing too! It was a brilliant experience.”

 

A helping hand for Georgie Mae

A hard working team of volunteers has taken part in a WellChild Helping Hands project to transform the garden of a little girl from Stockport to make it a safe, cheerful place for her to play.

Eight year old Georgie Mae is severely physically disabled and has epilepsy. This means she is completely dependant on her mother Paula Thomas for her daily needs. There is no specific diagnosis for her condition but it affects her breathing, she is fed via a tube and she is visually impaired.

Georgie Mae’s garden was completely inaccessible to her in her wheelchair and had no sensory elements for her to enjoy. Transforming the garden will give her a safe and stimulating place to play as she grows up.

A team of volunteer workers from Stockport Council Children’s Disability Team, gave up their time to work on the garden at her home in Stockport. They  built a ramp and path leading down the garden with raised beds of sensory plants along the way - leading to a shaded seating area at the end of the garden – which was previously an area covered in waste and bricks.

Georgie Mae’s mum Paula said: “It is absolutely fantastic. I can’t believe that all this work was done in one day. There is no way I could have ever got this garden without the help of the volunteers and of WellChild.

“I can’t believe we have got a garden Georgie can go out in. She has been out in it already and she just loves it. It will make a big difference to her because the garden can be her bit of fresh air.”

Lee Trunks, the WellChild Helping Hands Project Manager, said he was delighted with the way the project had gone.

“We were able to make a real difference to the garden and I’m sure Georgie Mae will get a great deal of use out of it,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the staff from the Disability Team for putting their heart and soul into the job and doing their bit to improve the life of a seriously ill child. They worked through really heavy rain and kept on smiling until the end!”

Simply Supplements supports WellChild

WellChild, the national charity for sick children, is to receive support in the coming year from Simply Supplements who have made us their charity of the year partner.

Simply Supplements is one of the most rapidly expanding mail order and online vitamins and minerals companies in the UK, selling more than 300 products ranging from traditional vitamins and minerals to herbal extracts and supplements. 

As a first step in their support for WellChild Simply Supplements will be undertaking a promotional campaign launching this month through to the New Year – in which they will be donating £1 to WellChild from every sale of their new and exclusive hematite magnetic bracelet.  The bracelets come in the form of attractive jewellery with the added benefit of magnetic therapy, which is believed by many people to naturally support health and wellbeing. The bracelets are for sale through Simply Supplements’ mail order brochures and on their website www.simplysupplements.co.uk

WellChild and Simply Supplements will also be actively exploring a variety of other ways in working together to raise vital funds such as staff fundraising activities and other product related promotions.

WellChild Chief Executive Colin Dyer said he is delighted Simply Supplements have been able to offer support to WellChild.

“For a company like Simply Supplements to want to get involved with WellChild makes perfect sense,” he said. “We hope that their partnership with us proves fruitful and useful for us both.”

“WellChild very much appreciates the support of corporate partners to help us with our work with seriously ill children and their families in the UK. Firms who support us know that, by doing so, they are able to give something back by helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”

Carole Davidson, Marketing Executive at Simply Supplements also celebrated the new partnership with WellChild saying: “Whilst at times like these, customers are looking for discounts and promotions when it comes to buying daily essentials such as supplements, we also feel that it really is time to move forwards with optimism. Our support for the amazing WellChild charity provides customers with a fresh and welcome burst of positivity as well as an opportunity to join us in supporting the national children’s charity in improving the quality of life of so many young people across the UK.”

Ozleworth Family fun day a success for WellChild

More than 800 people flocked to the beautiful 12 acre garden of Ozleworth Park Estate on Sunday to raise money for WellChild, the Cheltenham based national charity for sick children.

In glorious sunshine visitors gathered from across the area to explore the gardens near Wotton-Under-Edge and enjoy a programme of events including a craft fair, face painting, traditional fete games, tombola, obstacle course, teak garden furniture sale, plant stalls, refreshments and music.

In all WellChild raised more than £4,200 at the event which will go towards care, support and research to help seriously ill children throughout the UK. The event was such a success that it is planned to do it all over again in August.

WellChild events organiser Stacey Yeates said the day was a huge success.

“We had a great day in the sunshine and everybody really enjoyed themselves,” she said. “The gardens are wonderful and I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Stone for allowing us to hold the event. It’s great that people in Gloucestershire are willing to come out and support WellChild in this way.”

Ozleworth Park Estate, owned by Mr and Mrs Stone, has been restored over a period of 16 years and consists of 12 acres of garden, which include vegetable plots, rose garden, orchard, wild flowers, greenhouse and woodland area. There are lily ponds and a small lake with a Victorian bathhouse. The church within the estate is open to the public.

WellChild staff volunteer a Helping Hand for Lewis

A hard working team of Cheltenham volunteers has taken part in a WellChild Helping Hands project to transform the garden of a little boy to make it a safe, cheerful place for him to play.

The team of Gloucestershire workers travelled down to Weston-Super-Mare on Tuesday and Wednesday July 21 and 22 to carry out the work. 15 members of office staff from the Cheltenham HQ of WellChild, the national charity for sick children, were involved in the transformation of the garden.

11-year-old Lewis has Downs Syndrome and a number of other serious health conditions. He gets tired very easily and is unable to visit the park to play. Lewis is an outgoing and playful boy who lives with his mum Lisa. Due to limited resources and physical issues she was unable to transform the garden to make it suitable for him to play. As a result he got very frustrated which had a negative impact on his development. Transforming the garden will give him a safe and stimulating place to play as he grows up.

The team of office staff gave up their time to work on the garden transformation which included converting the garden shed to a camouflaged play space, tidying the lawn and landscaping borders, creating an area for a swing, painting and decorating walls and installing lighting.

Usually teams from local businesses volunteer to do the work on Helping Hands projects but the Cheltenham staff wanted to do this one themselves so they could experience first hand the hard work which goes into the projects.

WellChild’s Communications Officer Chris Hill of Kingsholm, Gloucester, was among those who took part in the project. He said: “It was hard work as it rained all day on Tuesday when we had lots of landscaping and heavy lifting to do. We were wet, muddy and tired by the end of the day, but I know how much my two boys enjoy playing in our garden and the thought we were making Lewis’s garden a safe, fun place for him to play made it all worthwhile.”

Lewis’s mum Lisa said: “Thank you all so much you were like knights in shining armour – turning up and giving Lewis something I could never have given him.”

Lee Trunks, of Cheltenham, the WellChild Helping Hands Project Manager, said he was delighted with the way the project had gone. “We were able to make a real difference to the garden and I’m sure Lewis will get a great deal of use out of it. I’d like to thank the staff for putting their heart and soul into the job and doing their bit to improve the life of a seriously ill child.”

Helping Hands for Ben

A hard working team of WellChild volunteers has transformed the bedroom and garden of a little boy from Penketh, Warrington, to make them a safe, cheerful place for him to play.

Eight year old Ben Callander has Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diapligia which means he cannot walk and needs a wheelchair. He can use walking sticks to travel short distances and at home he mostly crawls to get from place to place.

Ben is an independent young lad and wanted a more grown-up bedroom with specialist storage at his level so he could choose his own clothes. He is football mad and tries to play with his brothers in the garden which can lead to a muddy mess.

A team of workers from SSL International gave up their time to work on the bedroom and garden at Ben’s home in Penketh.  In the garden they managed to repaint and fix all the garden fences, sand and stain the decking, dig up the lawn and replace it with fake grass - which involved laying a tonnes of sand and hardcore, lay a wood bark border and put up a football net. In Ben’s bedroom they were able to repaint the room and make it Liverpooll football club themed with curtains, bedding, lampshade and pictures, they were also able to create new storage for Ben’s clothes and a computer desk he could get his mobility chair under.

Ben’s mum Bernie was delighted with the transformation. She said: “Thanks a million – you have given us this amazing present, we cannot believe it. Ben kept asking us if it was just a dream and thought it was as exciting as Christmas, thank you.”

Lee Trunks, the WellChild Helping Hands Project Manager, said he was delighted with the way the project had gone. We were able to make a real difference to the bedroom and garden and I’m sure Ben will get a great deal of use out of it,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the staff from SSL International for putting their heart and soul into the job and doing their bit to improve the life of a seriously ill child.”

A day out with Prince William

Prince William was dubbed ‘ Prince of Cuddles ’ by national newspapers as he joined seriously ill children and their families for a special day out in the Lake District. The Prince boarded a steamer on Ullswater Lake and chatted with Lily Slater ( 5) and Thomas Arrol (11) both from Tyne and Wear , Emily Bealing (10) from Manchester, Jade Arnell (12) from Merseyside and Oliver Booth (10) and Harrison Holmes (8) both from Barrow in Furness. Some of the children had been named as winners in the prestigious national WellChild Awards last year for their bravery in coping with a serious medical condition .

The day, which was organised and hosted by Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW), was to give seriously ill children and their families an enjoyable day out.  MREW and WellChild are linked through their joint participation on The Princes’ Charities Forum. The children had fun exploring the Mountain Rescue Centre at Patterdale before chatting to Prince William on board the steamer. The Prince also met staff from WellChild and learned how the charity supports sick children and their families throughout the UK as they deal with the consequences of serious illnesses and complex conditions. 

Lily’s Mum, Shirley said: “For children like Lily whose lives have been taken over by their illness, something like this makes such a difference. It can be hard for the whole family, especially when we are separated because Lily is in hospital. We are really grateful to WellChild for recognising how special Lily is and giving us all this wonderful opportunity.”

WellChild’s Director of Programmes, Linda Partridge, commented: “We are delighted that Prince William chose to hear first hand these amazing stories of bravery and moving accounts of care and support. It was wonderful to see how thrilled everyone was to meet the Prince on this truly memorable day.”  See here for a video of the day.

£20,000 raised for the love of Bryony

 

Bryony Aveyard was only 11 years old when she was struck down with a brain haemorrhage and died last year. Now her mum and dad are determined to raise as much money as possible for WellChild in her memory.

And already the York familiy's amazing fundraising effort has seen them raise almost £20,000 for the cause.

Bryony's mum Katherine Aveyard said: “We are speechless at the generosity and kindness of people. We now are just pounds off £20,000 and that’s in two months - our £55,000 target is getting nearer. Michael Green, of Stockton Lane, did the Round The Islands Yacht Race and has so far raised over a thousand pounds and donations are still coming in, while next door at Stockton Lane they held an open garden and raised an amazing £2,005.33 and they still have donations coming too."

To support the For the Love of Bryony appeal visit their just giving page at www.justgiving.com/bryonyaveyard

For the full story on the Aveyards' latest fundraising success see the article on the family in the York Evening Press here.

 

Beauty and the Beast treat for children at Everyman Theatre

Sick children were given a treat at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham this week when they attended a performance of Beauty and the Beast and met the cast of the show.

WellChild, the national charity for sick children, which is based in Cheltenham organised the visit with the Everyman to brighten the lives of seriously ill children from Cheltenham and the South West.

The theatre kindly donated tickets for children and their families for the matinee performance on Thursday July 9. And after the performance the excited children got to meet the cast – still wearing full costume and make-up.

Leo of Cheltenham came to the show with his mum. Leo is a four year old boy who has a complex illness which includes Cerebral Palsy, developmental delay and other conditions. He has to spend a lot of time in hospital so was really happy to be coming to see a show at the theatre.

A group of nine pupils also came to the show from the Springfields School, Calne in Wiltshire. Pupils with emotional and learning disabilities attend the school from across the South-West region. The school’s headmaster Trystan Williams won a WellChild award for his work in 2008 as the UK’s Best School Professional.

Mrs Brenda Hulbert, a Team Leader at the school said: “It’s absolutely fantastic for the children being here today. These kinds of experiences are few and far between for these children and they have had a fantastic time today. They have been so excited about coming here!”

Colin Dyer, WellChild Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have this relationship with the Everyman and are grateful they have been able to help sick children in this way. All children love live theatre and it is a great treat for them to be able to come along and enjoy themselves and maybe forget their troubles for a little while.”

Jackie McKenzie, press and marketing officer for the Everyman Theatre said: "We are delighted to have forged links with the WellChild charity which has its HQ in Cheltenham. And to mark that, we were able to invite children and their families to enjoy a trip to see Disney's Beauty and the Beast being performed at the Everyman and to meet Belle and the Beast afterwards.  We fully support the aims of WellChild and hope to be able to link up for similar events in the near future."

Beauty and the Beast runs at the Everyman, Cheltenham until Saturday July 18, and tickets are available from the box office on 01242 572573.

 

England star surprises caring young award winner

England and Manchester United legend Gary Neville paid a surprise visit to Hawthorns Community School in Audenshaw, Manchester today (Wednesday) to break some shock news to 15-year-old Ashley Oldham from Ashton-under-Lyne.

Ashley has been named as the country’s Most Caring Child by WellChild – who are currently working in partnership with the Team England Footballers Charity – and the teenager will be off to collect his Award in September when he attends the prestigious 2009 WellChild Awards ceremony on London’s Park Lane.

Having been nominated by his brother's teacher, Moira Thompson, at the Hawthorns school, and then chosen as a winner by WellChild's Awards judging panel - it was left to Gary Neville to deliver the news to Ashley and his family. Gary's visit was part of an 18-month partnership which sees the Team England Footballers Charity supporting WellChild and the England players donating international match fees, as well as their time, to raise awareness of WellChild's vital services for sick children.

Ashley’s younger brother Nathan has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and was picked from record numbers of nominations to win the Most Caring Child category in the 2009 WellChild Awards, which celebrate the courage of children and young people coping with serious health problems as well as recognising doctors, nurses, teachers, brothers and sisters who go the extra mile to make a difference to the lives of sick children.

Ashley will receive his Award at the fifth Annual WellChild Awards ceremony on 28th September at the InterContinental Hotel on London’s Park Lane. The ceremony will be a star-studded event which has been attended by many of WellChild’s celebrity supporters, including Royal Patron Prince Harry, over the past few years.

Watch a video of Gary Neville's visit here.

 

Helping Hands at Addenbrookes Hospital

A hard working team of WellChild volunteers has transformed the garden of a children’s ward at Addenbrookes Hospital to give the sick children who are treated there somewhere great to play.

WellChild, the national charity for sick children, carried out a Helping Hands project at the hospital to renovate the garden outside the hospital’s D2 ward. A team of volunteers from Cambridge Broadband Networks gave up their time to provide the workforce for the project

The children’s play area and garden at the hospital has helped lots of children get back on the road to recovery – but it was so well used that it had become run down and was in need of some TLC.

The volunteers succeeded in making the garden a fun space for all to enjoy. New flooring areas were added, parts of the lawn were reseeded and beds and borders were replanted. The existing equipment and furniture was rejuvenated and fun outdoor activities such as a chalk board and large chess board were added.

Lee Trunks, the WellChild Helping Hands Project Manager, said he was delighted with the way the project had gone.

“We were able to make a real difference to the garden and I’m sure the children will get a great deal of use out of it,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the staff from Cambridge Broadband Networks for putting their heart and soul into the job and doing their bit to improve the lives of seriously ill children.”

Christine Baines, a spokesman for the hospital, was delighted by the transformation of the garden by the WellChild Helping Hands team.

She said: “Thank you so much for all your hard work, the garden looks amazing – it’s so much better. The children are going to love it.

“There are so many little things that have been done for the kids to enjoy. We love the chalk board and the chess board.”

 

Our great day on HMS Gloucester

A group of seven sick children and their parents were invited on board HMS Gloucester earlier this year by WellChild. Here two of the children who went on the trip tell us about their experiences on the day.

Luke Biggs, aged 10

"I had a great time with my family and others at the Portsmouth trip. We parked right on the docks, right next to the big ships.

"We first went on HMS Gloucester where two of the crew showed us around. We saw the big missile launcher and went up on the bridge and sat in he Captain’s chair (apparently no-one else is allowed to sit there!)

"The ship didn’t really look that big but it was like a maze on all the different levels, narrow corridors and steep steps. We went to the mess and had a nice lunch: sandwiches, Irish crisps and loads of cakes!

"Then we went on HMS Victory. We had a naval officer giving us our own tour - he took us everywhere and told us lots of interesting facts and stories. He told us that navy people have to sleep on the ship to protect it and he said it was haunted. He had heard footsteps on the floor level above, when there was no-one there and that he had heard animal noises coming from the mangers right at the bottom of the ship - it was dark and a bit spooky down there! It was a very interesting day and my family and I really enjoyed it - thanks WellChild"

Lizzie Lansley, aged 9

"I had a fantastic  day! John, our guide, told us lots of stories and told us what a sailor’s compass was!

"I made a new friend, Solly, and she was in my group. We both got to sit in the captain’s chair and John let us wear his cap! We got to eat lunch in the officer’s mess, the deserts were mouth watering (I had to have seconds)!

"After lunch we said goodbye to John and went to look at the HMS Victory. It was very small and I could only just about stand up! We got to see were Lord Nelson slept, ate and gave his orders and I got to stand on the spot were he fell on the deck!

"After that we went to the HMS Victory Museum and then to Action Stations were I got to play on the displays and got to go wall climbing! I can’t wait to go back and take my best friend Katy! Thank you WellChild for a fantastic day."

 

England star Joleon Lescott visits WellChild children

 

England and Everton defender Joleon Lescott joined WellChild Children’s Nurse Elaine Hardiman and some of the children she cares for in Alder Hey Hospital on April 29 to see first hand how the Team England Footballers' Charity is working with WellChild – the national charity for sick children.

Lescott joined WellChild Nurse Elaine at the Transitional Care Unit at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool – where he met young people and their families and took the chance to see the essential support provided to seriously ill children by WellChild Children’s Nurses around the country.

The Transitional Care Unit at Alder Hey is a six-bed centre situated within the grounds of the hospital.  The unit acts as a temporary home for children whose conditions are stable enough for them to stay while their transition from hospital to home is arranged. Many of the children on the unit are on long-term ventilation and receive care from the nurses as well as their parents during the stay.

Rather than having the feel of a hospital ward, the centre acts as a ‘home from home’ environment for the children and therefore has a more relaxed feel. WellChild Nurse, Elaine Hardiman works with many of the families currently situated on this unit, and liaises with all of the health professionals needed to create a care package for the child to return home full time.

Joleon’s visit was part of an 18-month partnership which sees the Team England Footballers Charity supporting WellChild’s work right up until the end of the 2010 World Cup.

 

The England players will donate international match fees as well as their time to WellChild to help raise awareness of the charity’s vital services for sick children and their families as they cope with the consequences of serious illness and complex conditions.

Among the children who met Lescott was two-year-old Madison Kennedy-Finglas who was born with a heart problem and a small right lung and has been at Alder Hey since birth. Madison has been on the Transitional Care Unit for over a year whilst WellChild Nurse Elaine and a team of community medical professional’s co-ordinate the very complex process of getting her home, including recruiting and training of carers. The family are hoping to take Madison home at the end of May.

Madison’s mother Danielle said: “In order for Madison to come home from hospital she will need up to seven care staff and a lot of equipment that all has to be arranged. Without our WellChild nurse Elaine co-ordinating it all we would be lost and I’m sure that if it hadn’t been for her it would have taken significantly longer to get Madison home.”

WellChild’s team of children’s nurses provide care and support to seriously ill children and their families across the UK, many of whom have complex and long term illness, and need specialist equipment and medical support. As well as providing treatment for children, WellChild nurses often assist families in setting up complicated care packages to allow their child to be cared for out of hospital and in the comfort of their home.

The team of WellChild Children’s Nurses are just one of the many projects funded by the national charity. In addition, WellChild doctors, nurses and researchers work tirelessly to improve the treatment and care of sick children – with WellChild research projects working in a wide range of areas including diabetes, liver disease, pain management in children, cancer, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis and inherited genetic conditions.

See a video of Joleon meeting the children here.

 

 

Congratulations to our London Marathon heroes

Our fantastic London Marathon runners did themselves and WellChild proud on Sunday battling round the course on a hot and sunny day in central London and raising lots of money for sick children and their families in the process.

Every one of the 220 WellChild runners put in a brilliant display and our enthusiastic team of staff and volunteers made sure that they were cheered loudly round the course. Our runners were well looked after at the end of the race with a reception at the Guards Museum including food and massages for tired legs.

Special mention must go to Robert Schooling of Warrington who ran the marathon in our massive Nessa the Nurse mascot costume, achieving the incredible time of five hours and attracting a huge amount of media and public support on the way.

The costume weighs around two stone and is one of the tallest ever to take part in the London marathon.

After the finish line Robert was mobbed by fellow runners, family and other supporters who wanted to say well done and have their picture taken with him. And he got a hero’s welcome as he walked into the WellChild reception – still wearing the giant costume.

Read Daily Telegraph Sports Editor David Bond's account of how he was beaten in the race by Robert Schooling as Nessa the Nurse here.

Among our other runners was Sara Raybould who completed the mathathon for WellChild dressed as Princess Leia from Star Wars.

The weather stayed hot and sunny throughout the day which was great for the supporters along the course – but not so great for the runners who had to contend with the heat and possible dehydration as well as the 26 mile run.

But it was a day of celebration and fun as WellChild runners and volunteers proved they will go the extra mile to help seriously ill children and their families.

If you would like to apply for a WellChild place at the 2010 London marathon you can find more details here.

 

England star Emile visits WellChild kids

England and Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey launched the Team England Footballers' Charity partnership with WellChild – the national charity for sick children – when he joined WellChild Children’s Nurse Jo Bennett and some of the children she cares for in the Birmingham area on April 21.

Heskey joined WellChild Nurse Jo at the Wilson Stuart School and Sports College in Erdington, Birmingham for the afternoon – where he met young people and their families and took the chance to see the essential support provided to seriously ill children by WellChild Children’s Nurses around the country.

The visit was the first activity in an 18-month partnership which sees the Team England Footballers Charity supporting WellChild’s work right up until the end of the 2010 World Cup. The England players will donate international match fees as well as their time to WellChild to help raise awareness of the charity’s vital services for sick children and their families as they cope with the consequences of serious illness and complex conditions.

Among the excited children who met Heskey was three-year-old Lucie Coles who was born prematurely and has since developed chronic lung disease and muscle weakness. WellChild Children’s Nurse Jo became involved with Lucie’s care when she was just eight weeks old, and she has been on hand for the family ever since.

Lucie’s mother Amanda said: “WellChild changed our lives. I really don’t know what I would have done without them. Jo has always been there whenever we need her to give invaluable advice and support. She really is our lifeline.”

WellChild’s team of children’s nurses provide care and support to seriously ill children and their families across the UK, many of whom have complex and long term illness, and need specialist equipment and medical support. As well as providing treatment for children, WellChild Nurses often assist families in setting up complicated care packages to allow their child to be cared for out of hospital and in the comfort of their home.

The team of WellChild Children’s Nurses are just one of the many projects funded by the national charity. In addition, WellChild doctors, nurses and researchers work tirelessly to improve the treatment and care of sick children – with WellChild research projects working in a wide range of areas including diabetes, liver disease, pain management in children, cancer, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis and inherited genetic conditions. See a video of Emile Heskey's visit here.

Family fun day was a success

The rain failed to dampen spirits as around two hundred people gathered at the beautiful 12 acre garden of Ozleworth Park Estate on Sunday May 17 to raise money for WellChild.

Despite the weather visitors gathered from across the area to explore the gardens near Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, and enjoy a programme of events including a farmer’s market, face painting, bird handling, fete games, refreshments and music.

In all WellChild raised more than £1,200 at the event which will go towards care, support and research to help seriously ill children throughout the UK. The event was such a success that it is planned to do it all over again in August.

WellChild director of communications Colin Dyer said: “We would like to thank everyone for turning up and making the event such an enjoyable afternoon, despite the pouring rain. It’s great that the people if Gloucestershire are willing to support us like this and hopefully at our next Ozleworth event in August, there will be blazing sunshine!”

Ozleworth Park Estate, owned by Mr and Mrs Stone, has been restored over a period of 16 years and consists of 12 acres of garden, which include vegetable plots, rose garden, orchard, wild flowers, greenhouse and woodland area. There are lily ponds and a small lake with a Victorian bathhouse. The church within the estate is open to the public.

To find out more about our next event at Ozleworth click here.

Water way to raise money!

While most of us were taking it easy over Easter spare a thought for the brave souls who successfully completed the huge challenge of the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race in order to raise money for WellChild.

We had two groups raising money for us. One team was made up of 18 school pupils lead by Anastasia Steed and Roseanna Perry from Kelly College, Tavistock. The other was the two man team of Richard Carlisle and David Snell.

All the competitors endured many months of gruelling training which they have had to fit around their hours at work or school. They all used double racing kayaks which they become very accustomed to during training, when they were out on the water as early as 5am on some mornings.

The marathon, dubbed by many as the ‘Canoeists Everest’, is a three-day race which has been held annually over the Easter weekend since 1948. The course is 125 miles long and has 77 portages, with the first half along the Kennet and Avon Canal and the final sections along the river Thames. Many canoeists will paddle on average of 31 miles each day, with only the comfort of a tent and sleeping bag at night before they are up again at dawn to race again.

“The determination and the endurance that everyone showed is fantastic” said WellChild Challenge Event Manager Karl Gwilliam. “We are delighted with the support that the teams are showing with what sounds like a tremendously gruelling challenge and grateful for the donations which will make such a difference to the children that we work with.”

To make a donation and support Anastasia and Rosanna along with all the other students from Kelly College taking part then please visit here.  To make a donation and support Richard and David and find our more about how their journey went, please visit here. 

 

Helping Hands hard at work

Our hard working Helping Hands team managed to complete three projects in March, improving the lives of sick children and their families.

In East Dulwich volunteers from Nokia helped out Joshua, a lovely three year old boy who was recently diagnosed as being autistic. 

Joshua no longer communicates with anything other than noises and is constantly in a world of his own. His communication difficulties cause him problems in interacting socially and playing imaginatively.

Joshua’s mum wanted to give him a stimulating and fun room to help engage with him, so WellChild and the team of volunteers from Nokia decided to help. We managed to re-paint the whole room, put up new curtains and a shelf, paint two mural walls and provide themed items for the room.

In Ashton-Under-Lyne we completed a garden makeover for Cameron and his family with the help of Business in the Community, Manchester.

Cameron has a brain tumour and brain damage.  He can no longer walk, talk or move for himself and relies totally on the care of his parents.  He is unable to cope with busy and noisy environments as the extra stimulus is very distressing to him.

During the project we managed to replace the fence panels, re-erect the back fence and stain it, lay an area of soft flooring, lay a new lawn, erect a special swing and build a raised flower bed.

Cameron’s mum Kimberly said: “We are so grateful for everything the team have done for us. Cameron loves his new back garden.  We have had lots of nice weather since having it done and have hardly been in the house. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have made such a difference to our lives.”

Helping Hands also created a new garden for Connor and his family in Heanor with the help of volunteers from Experian.

Connor has Leukaemia and has had extensive treatment to keep this at bay.  He is currently waiting for a bone marrow transplant.  His family have worked really hard to make their home suitable for Connor and his brothers but simply ran out of steam with all the demands on their time.

We managed to clear all the vast amount of debris from the garden and level the remaining turf ready for a soft play area to be installed.  Despite the poor weather the team worked exceptionally hard and managed to complete the project in one day.

Connor’s dad Garrett said: “I walked down the drive and could not believe the amount that had been done.  It is so good it gives us a blank canvas to work with now so we can get the garden sorted for the kids.  Connor was really excited that he will soon have a garden to play in, thank you so much.”

  

 WellChild nurse runs Liverpool half marathon

Warrington man Robert Schooling underwent a gruelling challenge on March 29 when he completed the Liverpool Half Marathon in a 14 ft nurse costume. 

Running for WellChild, Robert was dressed as one of the charity’s specialist children’s nurses and his costume weighs around two stones. Yet he managed to get around the course in the respectable time of two hours ten minutes.

"It was very hot inside the costume, " said Robert. "And it is pretty heavy and awkward but it was absolutely fine."

With more than 4,000 runners taking part, the event saw competitors flock to Liverpool from across the country to race against each other and put themselves to the test.

Yet no-one had to show quite as much endurance as Robert who used the half marathon as a training exercise for the Flora London Marathon in which he is due to run on April 26th.

Robert is looking forward to the challenge that he will face in London and he has received some fantastic support when out training in the mammoth costume around his home town.

“When I was out on my last six mile run I must have had over 300 people wave and beep their car horns in support of me” said Robert. “There was even one man who was that impressed that he stopped me to give all the change he had in his pocket. It was £4.50, which will all go towards my target and help WellChild’s work with sick children.”

To support Robert in his marathon challenge, visit his just giving page here.

 

For the love of Bryony

 

Bryony Aveyard was only 11 years old when she was struck down with a brain haemorrhage and died last year. Now her mum and dad are determined to raise as much money as possible for WellChild in her memory.

Bryony was a sporty girl who played for York Vikings basketball team so, as a fitting tribute to her, mum Katherine and dad Rob have put together a team of 20 runners to tackle the great North Run in September 2009. With this and other fundraising events they aim to raise an amazing £55,000 to support WellChild’s work with sick children – enough to pay for a WellChild nurse for a year.

The death of their beautiful daughter came completely out of the blue as she was extremely fit and hardly ever ill. Bryony had gone to bed feeling fine after playing a basketball match one evening last September but she woke up in the early hours with a headache.

On the advice of their doctor they raced her to casualty but as Rob carried Bryony to the doors of York hospital in his arms she stopped breathing. Doctors fought to save her and she was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where she had an operation to remove a blood clot from her brain. But she was in a coma, unable to breathe unaided, and her parents had to take the heart-breaking decision to turn off her life support.

After Bryony’s death the family was told it was caused by an undetected condition she was born with called AVM which affects the connection of veins and arteries.

Now the family want to do all they can to help other sick children in her name. They have a big programme of events planned for the next 12 months including a launch night at the David Lloyd gym in York, an auction, a quiz, coffee mornings and more. They are asking schools in York to hold a golden mile event where pupils pay a pound to the charity and run a mile.

And their team of runners will tackle the 13 mile Great North Run in September. Runners include Katherine and Rob as well as family and friends. Bryony’s cousin will take part as well as her best friend’s mum. Even the church minister who conducted Bryony’s funeral service will do the run with his son.

“We are doing this to give ourselves something to concentrate on and in memory of Bryony,” said Mrs Aveyard.

“We have had a lot of friends and family who wanted to do something to help us and we thought, since we have done a lot for charity before, that if they wanted to do something for us we would like to do something to help WellChild.

“In this first year when things are really, really difficult it is something we can focus on.”

She hopes raising money for a good cause will help the family, including Bryony’s 15 year old brother James, and show that some good can come out of something bad. She is very grateful to everyone who is supporting the family.

“it’s nice to know that people care,” she said.

To support the family in their appeal visit their just giving page here.

 

All aboard the HMS Gloucester

A group of seven sick children and their parents were invited on board HMS Gloucester on February 28 by WellChild. The trip around the Type 42 Destroyer was made even more special for the families because the ship is not open to the general public.

 

Midshipman John Gabb and Sub-lieutenant Paul Day spent the morning guiding the excited children around the working naval ship where they had the chance to get a feel of what it is like to be part of the crew and took turns to sit in the Captain’s chair.

After lunch the families then had the chance to experience the remaining attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including HMS Victory, Action Stations, The Royal Navy Museum and The Mary Rose Museum.

One of the children attending was ten-year-old Luke Biggs from Abingdon, Oxfordshire who has benefited from research carried out by WellChild research fellow, Dr Peter Sullivan at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. Luke was born with Hirschsprung's disease which meant that he could not eat until he was eight-years-old when he underwent a small bowel transplantation. Luke is still on a large amount of daily medication for his condition and is limited to a restricted diet.

 

Luke's dad Ian said: “We've had the most amazing day. Not only did we get a private tour of HMS Gloucester, we also got to have lunch in the Officers' Mess. Luke's had such a fantastic time.”

The one-off tour was made available to children associated with WellChild due to the charities involvement with the Prince’s Forum – a group consisting of members from the many charities of which Prince William and Prince Harry are Patron.

 

Running for WellChild at the Ashby 20

Runners put in a massive effort for WellChild at the Ashby 20 race on Sunday March 22.

The tough 20 mile race, held at Ashby-de-la-Zouch near Derby, is used by many people as a warm up for the London marathon.

A team of WellChild supporters tackled the course to raise much needed funds for our work.

Thanks to Alain Skelding of Normanton photography for this photograph.

To get involved in our running events click here.

 

World famous WellChild

Word of WellChild is spreading across the globe thanks to our energetic supporters.

Claire Cooper and Emma Reynolds are training hard for the London Marathon on April 26 when they intend to raise lots of money for WellChild. So when the pair paid a recent visit to the USA they took the opportunity to show America what WellChild is all about. Here they are in Washington with the iconic Capitol building behind them.

Let’s hope they are just as full of energy at the London Marathon on April 26!