ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S CHARITY INSPIRED MAGAZINE #4

A big

Hello

& welcome to Inspired

from Young Fundraising Ambassador Kenzie Appleton

Inside Inspired...

3

Welcome to our new young ambassadors

4

Thank you to all our amazing supporters…

6

How has your fundraising helped?

8

Beanie vs Bobble for Alder Hey

10 An Indian adventure 12

Levi’s story

13

Join our running and jumping team!

14

Kenzie’s story

16

Leighton’s 22 Little Heroes

18

Spotlight on schools

19

Where’s Oli?

20 Alder Hey celebrates

first Christmas in new home

21

Super Ted’s Downing Street visit

22 Meet Hollie 24 Archie’s Nightrider

Challenge

26 Remarkable Lily 28 Oli’s Safari Walk

“Hello my name is Kenzie, I have been a patient at Alder Hey’s Children’s Hospital for nearly five years.

One day in September 2015, I came home from school and my dad said he had some very exciting news. He said he had spoken to Alder Hey and after all my hard work fundraising, I had been asked to be a Young Fundraising Ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

It was awesome and I thought I was going to collapse with shock! It’s brilliant being an ambassador and I have made lots of amazing new friends with my fellow ambassadors.

One of my most favourite things about being an ambassador so far has been when I was invited for a very special tour of the new Alder Hey hospital before the doors opened up to the public. I was gobsmacked, it was incredible!

Another brilliant day was when I got to welcome Leighton Baines from Everton FC as the latest Patron to Alder Hey Children’s Charity. We also had a load of photos taken of me and I even got to do some interviews! I felt like a celebrity. I was then invited to be a mascot as one of the 22 Little Heroes for the Everton versus Leicester City game when I got to go on the pitch

with the players. I felt like the luckiest boy in the universe. I will remember that day forever!

I have also been busy this year with my Toy Appeal to try and collect as many gifts as I could to donate to Alder Hey to be given out over Christmas time.

This year the appeal went crazy!

Leighton Baines kindly offered to support the appeal and we both went shopping at Toys R Us. Johnny Vegas also got behind it too and just before Christmas I delivered thousands of gifts to Alder Hey for all the children who would be spending Christmas there.

I was then surprised by Roger Johnson from BBC North West with a BBC North West Christmas Star Award for all the help I had given to help children over the Christmas period. I couldn’t believe it was for me!

I love being an ambassador, it feels like one big family at Alder Hey and I’m part of it!

I will continue my journey with Alder Hey until I am at least 16, but that’s not a bad thing, it just gives me time to have more fun, make more friends and do more remarkable things to help Alder Hey, just like they helped me.”

Read more about Kenzie and the 22 Little Heroes on page 16.

K I E R A N PA R R Y

HOLLIE KESTEVEN

J E S S I C A W E AV E R

WELCOME

MBASSADORS… TO OUR NEWEST YOUNG FUNDRAISING A

ARCHIE VEALE

KENZIE APPLETON

H AY D E N & L E W I S CONNETT Welcome to our new young ambassadors 3

You’ve walked, ran, baked, cycled, skydived, danced, dined, sang, jumped, swam, collected, raffled and dressed up and down to make a huge difference to the children and their families at Alder Hey. Unfortunately we don’t have the space to feature every one of our supporters here, but here is just a selection of you…

THANK AMAZING Joanne Gregory ran the Liverpool Half Marathon and raised a stupendous £536.25.

Ella-Jo Naughton took part in a sponsored walk and raised a super £200.

Kate & Alex Turney completed a maxi triathlon in Abu Dhabi and raised a magical £2,361.61.

The Boulton family donated a rugby ball signed by the All Blacks World Cup winning team and raised a remarkable £206 by auctioning it on eBay.

Susan Hodgson cycled from Alder Hey to Ysbtyty Gwynedd (Bangor Hospital), raising a magnificent £668.16 to say thank you for the treatment her son Cameron received!

4 Thank you to all our amazing supporters…

Debbie Shipstone raised a phenomenal £2201.99 when she shaved her head in appreciation of the care received by her grandson Dylan.

YOU SUPPORTERS… TO ALL

OUR

Ludlow Wealth Management adopted Alder Hey as their Charity of the Year and raised a whopping £13,000!

The fabulous Beth Wilcock donated the £743 given to her for her 18th birthday!

Graham Wood donated a tremendous £1,000 from the sales of his book The Prophecy of the Trilogy. His second book, Zein the Homecoming, is out now.

Widnes FC Under 7’s donated a fantastic £250 and had Alder Hey Children’s Charity as their shirt ‘sponsor’ for the season.

The staff at QVC adopted us as their charity for quarter two and raised a stunning £31,379.99.

Puddleducks held a pyjama week across 14 swimming pools in Chester, Wirral and Liverpool and raised over £5,000!

Thank you to all our amazing supporters… 5

How has your fun h

the lives of Every donation Alder Hey Children’s Charity receives enables us to improve d facilities enhance and ent our patients and their families by providing specialist equipm through world the out through children at the hospital. Donations also help us to support . diseases od funding vital research into childho

Here are just a few of the ways YOU have made a difference…

£100,000 for a DR X Ray machine; a mobile x-ray machine which transforms the way that radiology is undertaken.

£170,000 for Alder Hey’s dedicated food on demand service, supporting ward chefs who prepare fresh evening meals for patients as and when they want them.

“Having a chef on the ward means children, like my son, are getting fresh food and their needs are being looked after as an individual.

Now the children can see and chat to who is cooking their food, it helps makes a difference to what they want to eat which is all part of their recovery.” Tara (mum of Cardiac patient, Dylan)

£412,500 for patient TVs in each bedroom.

6 How has your fundraising helped?

£150,000 for CARTO, an arrhythmia mapping system which uses computer hardware and software to map the flow of electrical activity throughout the heart. This produces a coloured image on a computer screen which can be used to position a catheter without the use of x-rays.

£130,000 for ultrasound room distraction and radiology waiting room enhancements.

This includes tablets projecting videos, games or TV programmes onto the ceiling to distract young patients during procedures.

“We had one patient recently who was scared of having an ultrasound. No matter what techniques we tried she would not keep still for enough time for us to complete our ultrasound. However, thanks to our new smart tablets (and Peppa Pig which we showed on it), she kept still and was calm throughout. Thank you!” Julie Davidson (Sonographer)

draising elped?

ALDER HEY IN THE PARK – QUICK FACTS…

£26,000 for Aquaponics, a revolutionary ecosystem using fish to feed plants.

Six standard wards featuring 270 including 48 critical care beds. beds

75% single rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

16 digitally enhanced operating theatres.

Play areas on every ward and eas y access to external play areas and gardens. £100,000 for a digital aquarium in our Day Case Surgery waiting area to keep children entertained and distracted. One of only two in the world, this technology allows children to add their very own seahorse, stingray or turtle to a digital fish tank.

“The fish tank is amazing and our patients all love using it. It’s nice and calming for them and also for their parents too.” Nadia, Alder Hey Nurse

Why do we still need your help?

‘Smart’ IT systems let patients check in and out, provide entertainment systems, track patients through the journey and reduce paper patient ir records.

Views of the park or green space from every patient’s room.

The most sustainable 24 hour hos ever built. 60% of energy is gen pital erated onsite.

T hank you!

Together we can make the new Alder Hey the best children’s hospital in the world. To do this we still need to raise vital funds for research and innovation, additional specialist equipment, digital technologies and enhancements for treatment rooms and waiting areas.

With your help we can create a world class facility for generations of children to come.

Visit www.alderhey.charity.org for further information on the charity and fundraising ideas.

ARE YOU A BEANIE OR A BOBBLE?

BEANIE

VS.

BOBBLE FOR ALDER HEY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Patients, families and staff joined a host of celebrities in supporting Matalan’s Christmas campaign for Alder Hey. Continuing on from the huge success of last year’s Alphabet Scarves campaign, Matalan’s campaign focused on one very important question, ‘are you a Beanie or a Bobble?’

The Beanie vs Bobble campaign divided families across the nation as they decided what team they were on by purchasing a Matalan Beanie or Bobble Hat, and sharing a picture of themselves wearing their chosen style on social media using the hashtag #ImaBeanie or #ImaBobble.

Available in six vibrant colours, the hats were available in Matalan stores and online with 100% of profits going to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

The campaign was supported by celebrities including Britney Spears, Jimmy Carr, Michael Bolton, Mel C, Liz McClarnon, Judy Dench and the Minogue sisters.

8 Beanie vs Bobble for Alder Hey

Katie Renshaw is a Bobble.

Eight year old patient Katie Renshaw from Runcorn was firmly in the Bobble corner.

Katie has been coming to Alder Hey since she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was just one year old.

Charity Ambassador Grace Lee with Alder Hey staff.

In February 2015, Katie had multi-level surgery, a series of procedures to help correct problems with the lower limbs in children with

Cerebral Palsy. Alder Hey clinicians spent a whole nine hours in theatre to complete this operation which will help Katie with her mobility in the future.

Katie was keen to thank Alder Hey for her care and model her chosen hat at an official Matalan photoshoot for the campaign, where she was also joined by Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon and model Sarah Ann Macklin.

“I’ve loved being team Bobble.” said Katie. “It’s been great to be a part of something this big to help raise money for Alder Hey. I’ve been telling everyone that my face is on the posters in all the Matalan shops.”

Young Charity Ambassador Megan Fish also supported the campaign, choosing to be photographed wearing a Beanie! Megan, who was born with a congenital heart defect, has been a regular visitor to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital since she was just days old.

She has had to have major heart surgery at Alder Hey and has also been treated for a series of mini strokes she suffered following a blood clot.

During an official Matalan photoshoot where she met Jimmy Carr, Megan said: “I thought Jimmy Carr was really funny. I think they put a lot of work into those hats and hope they raise a lot of money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity to help children like me.”

The money raised by Beanie vs Bobble will go towards Alder Hey’s research, education and innovation centre which has been built alongside the new hospital. This new facility will place Alder Hey and Liverpool as a national and international leader in the development of safer and more effective medicines for children and young people. It will allow researchers and clinicians to work with industry to develop safer, better medicines and therapies for children to use in the NHS and throughout the world.

Louise Barrett, Head of Corporate and Major Giving for Alder Hey Children’s Charity said: “As part of the new Alder Hey in the Park development, the new research centre will place Alder Hey as a national and international leader in the development of safer and more effective medicines for children and young people. The first phase is

well underway and the funds raised by Beanie vs Bobble will contribute towards furthering this development.

We are incredibly grateful to Matalan and all their customers for their continued support. With their help we can make a massive difference to future generations of children and young people.”

The costs of the hats are £8 each for adults (available in six colours) and £4 each for children (available in 2 colours).

Comedian Jimmy Carr with Young Fundraising Ambassadors Megan Fish and Ted McCaffery.

Jason Hargreaves, Managing Director at Matalan, said: ‘‘We are proud to be continuing our support for Alder Hey and contributing to the amazing new hospital with another fun campaign for all the family. With the support of the nation, we hope to raise a substantial amount once again, and truly make a difference, whilst having some fun too!”

Beanie vs Bobble for Alder Hey 9

Jo on the right proudly holding the Welsh flag.

AN INDIAN ADVENTURE

and motivated Jo to sign up to the challenge of a lifetime.

In 2014 Jo completed the Great Wall of China trek and enjoyed the experience so much that she immediately signed up to trek the A TEAM OF 15 FUNDRAISERS PARTICIPATED IN AN Himalayas by registering for our EPIC TREK IN OCTOBER THROUGH THE FOOTHILLS India Dalai Lama Challenge.

OF THE INDIAN HIMALAYAS, FINISHING WITH A TRIP TO THE AMAZING TAJ MAHAL, ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE MODERN WORLD.

Five days trekking in the Himalayas, two nights on a sleeper train and a trip to the magnificent Taj Mahal were just some of the As well as having the experience of a lifetime, this remarkable highlights of a journey that included team raised over £45,000 to help make the new Alder Hey river crossings, an abundance of wildlife, a three hour shelter from a in the Park a truly child-friendly hospital. storm in a shopkeeper’s front room shared with a couple of significantly One of the trekkers, Jo Hannaby, is no stranger to Alder sized spiders, campfires on cold Hey’s overseas challenges. evening campsites and a two hour tuk tuk adventure around Delhi.

Jo worked as a paediatric nurse at Wrexham Hospital for ten years before becoming a health visitor. In September “They call it a challenge for a 2013 her son Jack required surgery at Alder Hey to remove reason! It really took me out of my a tumour from his neck. The care Jack received inspired comfort zone but I enjoyed every minute!” recalls Jo.

10 An Indian adventure

GRAND CANYON CHALLENGE 1ST - 8TH OCTOBER 2016

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE INDIA TRIP BY READING CATH’S INDIA DALAI LAMA BLOG -

www.alderheycharity.org/news/latest-news/ tales-from-the-trek-caths-india-challenge-blog

The trek was an emotional journey for all, and was especially challenging for Jo who lost her mum earlier in the year and in whose memory she walked.

“Mum was excited for me to do the challenge and I know that she would have been immensely proud of what I’ve achieved. It was a brilliant experience shared with a fantastic group of people.”

Jo has now signed up for her third Alder Hey overseas challenge to the Grand Canyon in October 2016.

CYCLE VIETNAM TO CAMBODIA

IF INDIA HAS INSPIRED YOU THEN WHY NOT SIGN UP TO A ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP TO THE USA IN OCTOBER 2016 TO TREK THE GRAND CANYON?

• An exhilarating experience to a hidden paradise at the very heart of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks through amazing red rock formations, stunning waterfalls and crystal clear lagoons - with a final celebration evening in the bright lights of Las Vegas.

• Five days trekking through the Grand Canyon.

• A night in Las Vegas at the end of the trip.

• Flights from Manchester.

REGISTRATION FEE: £349 MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP: £3,190 MORE INFORMATION:

For further details email: community@alderheycharity.org or call: 0151 282 4795 To register visit: www.globaladventurechallenges.com/ international/grand-canyon-trek

12 - 22 OCTOBER 2017

REGISTRATION FEE:

£299

MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP:

£3000

Flights from Manchester.

MORE INFORMATION:

For further details email: community@alderheycharity.org or call: 0151 282 4795 To register visit: www.globaladventurechallenges.com/ international/cycle-vietnam-to-cambodia

Join us on this breathtaking 400km cycling challenge as we bike from Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Two fascinating countries – one awesome challenge, experience South East Asia at its best!

Levi’s story “Our family have been made to feel very comfortable from our first visit.”

Levi Beckford arrived into the world 13 ½ weeks premature and at 11 months old he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia.

Levi is only six years old but he’s a big character and he’s already got himself a reputation for breaking hearts when people meet him.

He’s also a determined little boy who lives in Reading, Berkshire with his family. Levi arrived into the world a little earlier than expected at 13 ½ weeks premature and at 11 months old he was diagnosed with a condition called Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy marked by tense muscles and spasms. Leg muscles in particular tend to be 12 Levi’s story

extremely tight, and over time, this causes joints to stiffen, reducing the range of motion.

Medics in Berkshire informed the family at the time that he wouldn’t walk or talk but Levi wanted to prove them wrong.

“You wouldn’t know he was poorly from the waist up,” mum Amanda explains. “He’s like any other loving cheeky little boy.”

Levi and his family were told about a complex procedure called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). The surgery is performed to reduce spasticity, enhance function, increase the range of motion and improve walking and body positioning.

The procedure works by tackling the cause rather than the effects of spasticity. Alder Hey is one of only five NHS centres to offer this specialist procedure in the UK.

Amanda and her daughter investigated further and came across the work Alder Hey’s surgeon Benedetta Pettorini had carried out. They knew that Benedetta was the expert they wanted to speak to about Levi.

“We’ve been blown away by Alder Hey so far,” continues Amanda. “Our family have been made to feel very comfortable from our first visit. Benedetta and her team have been extremely helpful and made sure we have all the information we could ask for about the treatment.

Every experience so far has been wonderful. Our eyes have been opened about expectations for Levi and we’ve had great reassurance from all the consultants.

I appreciate how direct Benedetta has been and she’s told us to take each step as it comes.

“We weren’t aware of Alder Hey before our research begun but we knew this was the place that could help Levi.

Levi is fully aware of what’s going on. He’s enjoyed all his visits to Alder Hey and thought everyone was great.”

Levi visited Alder Hey in August for his SDR surgery and is continuing his recovery at home. Amanda said: “Levi deserves the best treatment possible and we know that’s what we’re getting from the team at Alder Hey.”

JOIN OUR RUNNING AND JUMPING TEAM! WHETHER YOU’RE A SEASONED RUNNER OR YOU’RE TYING UP YOUR RUNNING SHOES FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, JOIN THE ALDER HEY TEAM AND RUN FOR OUR PATIENTS!

Whatever your distance or speed, running is a great way to get fit, get outdoors and meet likeminded people. There are a huge number of running events throughout the UK and beyond. A few of the most popular ones are listed opposite.

Do you Dare to

SKYDIVE?!

MARCH Liverpool Half Marathon Sunday 13th March APRIL London Marathon Sunday 24th April MAY Chester Half Marathon Sunday 15th May Liverpool Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon & Half Marathon Sunday 29th May SEPTEMBER Great North Run Sunday 11th September

*We have a limited number of guaranteed charity places for this event*

Skyline have sites located around the country offering the chance to try either a Tandem or Static Line jump with availability throughout the year. Minimum sponsorship £395.

Jump for FREE!

English Half Marathon (Warrington) Sunday 18th September OCTOBER Chester Marathon Sunday 2nd October

For further information on any of the above events please email community@alderheycharity.org or call 0151 252 5716.

Join our running and jumping team! 13

KENZIE’S STORY

YOUNG AMBASSADOR KENZIE APPLETON RECENTLY WON A NORTH WEST TONIGHT CHRISTMAS STAR AWARD FOR HIS FUNDRAISING FOR ALDER HEY. HERE, KENZIE AND HIS MUM TARA EXPLAIN WHY THEY WANTED TO HELP CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITAL. 14 Kenzie’s story

On Friday 18th March 2011, Kenzie, from St Helens was urgently referred to Alder Hey after developing a limp which wouldn’t subside. After various trips to his GP and numerous investigations, Kenzie was diagnosed with Perthes Disease; a condition where blood flow is affected in the head of the femur and results in the bone becoming soft and breakable.

Kenzie has undergone numerous treatments including two major surgeries and countless hydrotherapy and physiotherapy to help his condition.

“Kenzie was four years old when he first arrived at Alder Hey”, says mum Tara. “We didn’t know what to expect but that soon changed. Staff we met from all over the hospital were absolutely incredible and our worries was soon put to rest.”

“If I’m honest I don’t really think we would have coped as well as we have if it wasn’t for Alder Hey and Kenzie’s strength, courage and determination. Nothing fazes him and he’s never refused to do anything. He’s coped with everything so well.

wear capes. Some people wait a lifetime to meet their hero, we’re raising ours.”

Kenzie finished his physiotherapy in August 2015 after his latest major surgery back at Christmas 2014. With all his hard work and determination paying off he completed the 3km Sponsored Oli Safari Walk at Knowsley Safari Park without the use of his wheelchair which he’s relied upon for the past few years.

“The staff we met from all over the hospital were absolutely incredible.”

At Christmas 2014, Kenzie then went on to launch his Toy Appeal which encourages others to donate toys to the children who stay at Alder Hey over Christmas. It was hugely successful and in 2015 Kenzie decided to repeat it.

This time it reached new levels of popularity.

“It went crazy,” explains Kenzie.

“Leighton Baines from Everton FC kindly offered to support the appeal and we both went shopping at Toys R Us to fill trolleys for the appeal. Johnny Vegas also “There were times when I got behind the appeal and didn’t want to know what the contacted an amazing group next day would bring but for named Fairy Bricks who him to wake up and smile and generously donated £800 just get on with things has been completely mind blowing. worth of Lego, because no toy delivery would be complete His strength has carried us without Lego! all as a family and we have realised not all superheroes

“Without the help and support of kind, generous members of the public who came to donate, organised events or came along to fundraising events I couldn’t have achieved any of this.”

On Friday 18th December, Kenzie delivered thousands of gifts to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for all the children who would be spending their Christmas in hospital.

Kenzie was also one of the 22 Little Heroes selected

by Everton footballer and Alder Hey Patron Leighton Baines’ to be mascots for the Everton vs Leicester City Premier League game.

Along with fellow Alder Hey patients Freddy and Isaac, Kenzie was also awarded the Pride of St Helens ‘Child of Courage Award’ and was surprised with a BBC North West Christmas Star Award from BBC North West Tonight’s’ Roger Johnson for all the fundraising he has done for Alder Hey. “Kenzie loves being an ambassador,” says Tara.

“If it wasn’t for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, we don’t know where we would be, we will never be able to repay or thank them enough for absolutely everything they have done in the past, present and future.”

Kenzie’s story 15

LEIGHTON’S

22

LITTLE HEROES

Twenty-two patients from Alder Hey took to the hallowed Goodison Park turf in December, after they were invited to be mascots by Alder Hey’s newest Patron, Everton and England footballer, Leighton Baines.

The group of young patients became Leighton’s 22 Little Heroes, with each of them escorting a player onto the pitch ahead of kick-off against Premier League rivals Leicester City.

The 22 Little Heroes were invited to Alder Hey back in September to take part in a football workshop with Everton in the Community. Staff from Everton in the Community deliver fun activity sessions at Alder Hey every day, engaging with around 1,500 patients each year. The workshops provide a much-needed platform for social interaction and laughter that breaks up the tedium of long-term hospital care and eases

children’s anxieties about treatment.

Everton full back Leighton Baines surprised the children during the workshop with the news that they had been nominated to be mascots at the game. Baines said: “Every single one of the children’s stories is inspiring.

They’ve been through some really difficult times, not just the kids but their families too, so we’re really honoured to have been able to give them a special day at Goodison.

“They’re all big Evertonians so it means a lot to them. As a club, we’ve always had a close relationship with Alder Hey and that usually involves us paying the children a visit in hospital so it was great to give these 22

“Every single one of the children’s stories is inspiring.

They’ve been through some really difficult times...”

16 Leighton’s 22 Little Heroes

“The workshops provide a much-needed platform for social interaction and laughter that breaks up the tedium of long-term hospital care and eases children’s anxieties about treatment.”

ASK LEIGHTO N

During his visit to Alder Hey, Leighton was given a tour of the new hospital by guest editor Kenzie Appleton who asked Alder Hey’s new Patron a few questions.

special young people that opportunity to forget everything for a day and give them some really special memories.”

The 22 Little Heroes – including Caleb Murphy a five year old boy who has Cerebral Palsy and pretends to be an Everton player when doing his exercises, and Josh Kelly a 14-year-old who helped to design the new hospital - were nominated by nurses and staff at Alder Hey. Baines also pledged his continued support to Alder Hey by signing up to be an official Patron for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, joining fellow footballers Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney.

Committing to do all he can to put a smile on the children’s faces, Baines’ pledge further cemented Everton’s close connections with Alder Hey.

What hobbies do you have outside of football?

Outside of football I spend time with my family. I like to read and listen to music.

What’s your favourite band?

My favourite band of my generation would be Arctic Monkeys. Favourite of all time is The Beatles!

What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed.

What’s been your proudest moment?

My proudest moment is becoming a father!

Three times!

Leighton’s 22 Little Heroes 17

SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOLS

Thank you to all of the schools who support Alder Hey by selecting us as their charity of the year, term, month, week or day. We are hugely grateful for every penny raised by schoolchildren, young people, teachers and school staff.

Unfortunately we don’t have room to feature every individual school but here is a selection…

Clifford Holroyde School in Liverpool donated £100 from a dress down day.

Range High School in Formby raised £424.

Aughton St Michael’s C.E. Primary School in Ormskirk raised a fabulous £257.

Year 8 students from Castell Alun High School in Flintshire chose Alder Hey as their charity of the year and raised a brilliant £1967.45 through a variety of initiatives including a sponsored silence and non-uniform day.

Sacred Heart Catholic College in Crosby raised a stunning £1002.53.

St Francis Xavier College in Woolton raised a whopping £1030.23 through a variety of fundraising activities.

St Wilfrid’s C of E Primary School in Warrington raised a fabulous £1,101.13 by participating in a recycling project and Dragon’s Den competition.

St Thomas C of E Primary School raised a phenomenal £1017 from the sale of loom bands.

Overchurch Primary School in Upton, Wirral produced a fabulous nativity and raised an amazing £800.

Burscough Priory Science College raised a fantastic £679.22 by holding a dress down day.

If your school would like to get involved in fundraising for Alder Hey or if you are interested in holding a school ‘Oli-day’ with a visit from our very own mascot Oli the elephant please call 0151 252 5716 or email community@alderheycharity.org

18 Spotlight on schools

Resources for Primary Schools are also available to download on our website www.alderheycharity.org/fundraise/schools-fundraising

WHERE’S OLI?

2015 was a busy year for Oli, Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s mascot.

Not only did he help us with our fundraising by visiting schools, companies and events, but he also managed to go on many adventures to far flung places.

Not content with India, Belgium, Australia, Japan and Greece, in August Oli beat Tim Peake into space when he joined the Liverpool Chinatown Photographic Society and rocketed into the stratosphere!

If your school, community group, or company would like Oli to visit or attend a fundraising event please contact the community fundraising team at community@ alderheycharity.org and we will try and fit you into his diary!

Where’s Oli? 19

Alder Hey

celebrates first

Christmas in Wayne and Coleen Rooney joined in the celebrations when they popped in to leave the first presents under Alder Hey’s Christmas tree.

new home December 2015 marked the first Christmas in our fabulous new hospital, Alder Hey in the Park.

Many visitors were welcomed to the new hospital during the festive period with families, friends, businesses and celebrities among those helping to bring some Christmas cheer to our patients.

Everton and Liverpool FC paid their annual visit to Alder Hey, handing out presents and spreading festive cheer to patients.

Christmas kicked off with a funfilled Christmas lights switch-on, supported by Matalan and hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Billy Butler.

To get everyone into the festive spirit, the event included a performance by Wirral Grammar School for Girls Band. There was also a chance for patients to meet Father Christmas and his elves and sing Christmas songs with the Alder Hey Staff Choir, while guests helped themselves to free mince pies and refreshments.

Two year old patient Lewis Connett and his older brother Hayden officially launched the festive season at the hospital by switching on

20 Alder Hey celebrates first Christmas in new home

the Christmas lights with mum Donna and some of the staff involved in his care. Lewis and his family have been making the regular journey from their home in Halifax to Alder Hey since he was diagnosed with Apert Syndrome when he was a baby.

Apert Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes abnormal development of the skull and affects other areas of the body, though surgery can help correct some of the problems that result. So far, Lewis has had four surgeries with his first at only five months old.

SUPER TED’S DOWNING STREET VISIT Congratulations to one of our Young Fundraising Ambassador Ted McCaffery who switched on the Downing Street Christmas lights in December.

Ted who is eight years old also received a Points of Light Award for his Team Ted fundraising campaign from the Prime Minister. This special award recognises outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a difference in their community and inspiring others. Ted has so far raised over £80,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, an incredible achievement!

Ted travelled to London with his family where he met the Prime Minister and joined in the festive celebrations before switching on No. 10’s lights.

Lewis’ family and friends are also avid fundraisers for Alder Hey Children’s Charity and have raised over £8,000 to date. Lewis and Hayden showed their support for the Charity recently by becoming two of the faces of the Matalan Beanies vs Bobbles campaign (see page 8) and they wore their beanies and bobbles with pride throughout the Christmas switch on.

Following the celebrations, Lewis and Hayden welcomed Patrons Wayne and Coleen Rooney to the new hospital for the first time as the couple dropped by to leave some presents under the hospital Christmas tree.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Ted is a truly inspirational young boy. He has shown incredible strength and generosity in overcoming his own health challenges and doing so much to help other young children who are treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. He has raised a fantastic amount of money and will put a smile on the face of young patients this Christmas with the presents he is collecting. I am delighted that he is joining me to turn on the Downing Street Christmas Lights this year as the UK’s 413th Point of Light.”

Ted said: “I can’t believe I’m the lucky person that

got to turn on the Christmas lights - it was very exciting! Getting to meet the Prime Minister and so many children who are helping others, was great. It’s been a magical day.”

Super Ted’s Downing Street visit 21

Meet Hollie 13 year old Hollie Kesteven from Sandbach is a Young Fundraising Ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

Hollie has raised over £10,000 for Alder Hey after receiving lifesaving treatment at the hospital. Here, Hollie and her mum Gill explain why they wanted to help…

Hollie was rushed to Alder Hey for lifesaving emergency surgery after a scan revealed that she had a thalamic brain abscess, a rare condition that can be fatal if not treated quickly.

“Hollie was a normal, healthy 22 Meet Hollie

child and we were all shocked at how quickly she became seriously ill,” mum Gill explains.

“When we got to Alder Hey she was rushed straight to theatre and they were operating on her within minutes. Only then did we realise how serious it was and that time was critical. If it wasn’t for the specialist care

she received at Alder Hey she wouldn’t be here today.”

Hollie has now recovered but her ordeal left her deaf in one ear and she has a VP shunt regulating the level of fluid in her brain. She has since done all she can to thank the hospital for saving her life.

“I owe the surgeons at Alder Hey my life,” Hollie

said. “I want to raise as much money as I can to help other children at Alder Hey get the best care they can in the new hospital. This is my way of thanking all the people at Alder Hey who helped me get better.”

Hollie and her family have raised thousands for Alder Hey Children’s Charity through a number of activities and initiatives including events, raffles, zip wires, a Three Peaks trek and an Ice Bucket Challenge. In her role as Young Fundraising Ambassador, Hollie has also been encouraging others in her local area to join her in supporting the new hospital appeal.

Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox met Hollie at her school sports day recently and said: “I had a brilliant day joining Hollie on her sports day. Hollie is a fantastic girl who has come through a frightening and life threatening illness to emerge with humour, intelligence, sensitivity and a maturity way beyond her years. It was a pleasure to spend the day with her and see how Alder Hey, her mother, family and her school have supported her. They are all clearly so proud of Hollie and so am I. I can’t wait to see what Hollie will do in the future - I am certain she will have a bright one.”

Cath Harding from Alder Hey Children’s Charity said: “Hollie is an absolute inspiration and we are incredibly grateful to her for everything she has done to raise valuable funds for our new hospital.

Hollie and Chloe Wright, Staff Nurse

“Our patients have been at the heart of our fundraising appeal and we felt it was fitting to ask Hollie to represent her area as an official young ambassador.”

Meet Hollie 23

ARCHIE’S NIGHTRIDER CHALLENGE

At just 17 years old Archie Veale has gone through more than most people experience in a lifetime. Just under two years ago he was airlifted to Alder Hey’s Intensive Care Unit from his home in the Isle of Man. He was seriously ill and even in danger of losing his legs. Two years later, he is training to cycle 100km in the Nightrider cycle challenge.

In March 2014, Archie had been complaining of backache to his mum Lucy. He visited his local GP who after taking his blood pressure, immediately called 999 and Archie was taken to Alder Hey by air ambulance where he was taken straight to the Intensive Care Unit.

Doctors put Archie onto an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygeneration machine (ECMO) to keep his heart and lungs working and help deliver oxygen into his blood.

“But by now I’d also developed Compartment Syndrome which was caused by muscle swelling leading to After passing his GCSE’s and compression of vessels and nerves in undertaking countless physio my legs,” Archie explains. sessions to improve his strength and repair nerve damage. Archie started “I was in danger of losing my legs! to think of ways to repay Alder Hey They gave me a fasciotomy which for saving his life. is a cut to relieve tension and the muscles came out and this area had “I have been looking for an event to be left open. Mum tells me it in which I could participate to help didn’t look very nice but they knew raise funds for Alder Hey and when it was needed.

I found out about the Liverpool Nightrider I thought, ‘this is the “As I was losing so much fluid I had one,’” explains Archie.

18 litres of blood products poured into my veins. They were chasing Liverpool’s Nightrider is a 100km their tails they told me as more bike ride from the night of Saturday kept coming out so more had to be 16th July and into the early hours put in. Thankfully I was sedated for of Sunday morning, through the three weeks.” streets of Liverpool. The route even goes past Alder Hey’s new hospital; Archie was also paralysed from the Alder Hey in the Park. neck downwards. He was eventually diagnosed with a Staph Infection “I wanted to do something for the which is when a group of bacteria staff at Alder Hey who worked so produces a rare toxin called Panton- hard to help me. I wanted to make Valentine Leukocidin targeting them proud.”

Archie’s lungs and muscles. He was in Intensive Care for 37 days and Archie will be taking part in the in Alder Hey for over five months Nightrider Challenge on a tandem before eventually going home to try bike with his physio Gareth Watt, and restart his life. who he has been training with.

24 Archie’s Nightriders Challenge

LUCY’S

CONISTON

CHALLENGE

Not to be outdone by her son Archie, mum Lucy, along with five of her oldest school friends, took part in the 2014 Coniston Challenge.

Their training currently consists of 3 x 30 minute rides, three times a week at home on an exercise bike, very kindly lent to him by the Manx company Fit4Hire, before they up their training as the event gets closer.

Archie is also an official Young Fundraising Ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity and has also been invited to officially open the Intensive Care Unit in the new hospital.

NIGHTRIDER 16th/17th July 2016 WHAT’S INVOLVED?

From the night of Saturday 16th July and into the early hours of Sunday morning, you could be part of the Nightrider Challenge cycling 100km around the streets of Liverpool.

COSTS TO TAKE PART

Registration £39 per person. Minimum sponsorship of £200.

MORE INFORMATION

Call Cath on 0151 282 4795 or email cath.harding@ alderheycharity.org

Despite spending seven months sat next to Archie while he was in his hospital bed with no time for any exercise, Lucy was determined to give something back to Alder Hey in appreciation of the care her youngest son received.

With Archie still in hospital ‘Archie’s Aunties’ completed the Consiton Challenge on Lucy’s 45th birthday. They rode 17km through Grizedale Forest, kayaked 3km across Coniston Water and hiked up (and down) ‘The Old Man of Coniston’. Lucy remembers the good hearted banter between teams, the friendly competition and camaraderie and her favourite part of the day… lunch!

“Many times as I climbed the Old Man of Coniston, pedalled around Grizedale or splashed through Coniston water I asked myself what am I doing?

It took less than a second to answer that question; I’m doing my bit,” explains Lucy.

“Raising as much money as possible for a fantastic cause is a tiny step towards helping an amazing hospital full of amazing staff and people. It was a hard but brilliant day and I fully recommend it to anyone looking for a fun challenge to enjoy with friends.

“Without Alder Hey our family would definitely have been only four members instead of five. How does a mother say thank you for that? Every time he cracks a joke, asks for something, drives me crazy, I say a quiet thank you.”

CONISTON CHALLENGE 9th July 2016 WHAT’S INVOLVED?

• 10km trek up the Old Man of Coniston • 17km bike ride through Grizedale Forest • 3km kayak across Coniston Water COSTS TO ENTER

Registration fee £50 per team. Minimum sponsorship £1,500 per team.

MORE INFORMATION

Call Helen on 0151 252 5364, come and see us in person or contact us.

Remarkable To look at Lily White, you would think she is like any other active seven year old girl. But Lily is a remarkable little girl who, partly thanks to charity donations, has benefitted from an innovative and ground-breaking trial.

Lily had Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and Uveitis; an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.

Uveitis is associated with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and arises when the immune system attacks the eyes (Uveitis) and the joints (Arthritis).

When she was three years old, Lily was unable to walk long distances and often went back into her buggy.

“It was lucky she was so young really,” says dad Nick. “We did worry what would happen when she got to five, six or even older. We wouldn’t always be able to carry and push her around.”

Two operations on her knees and ankles initially helped Lily but the family were quickly back in the same situation, with Lily unable to walk at all and struggling to interact with other children.

26 Remarkable Lily

Mum Jane continues: “Her older sister Daisy would tell us that she’d seen Lily crying or sitting on her own at break times at school. She was so reserved because she knew she just couldn’t join in. It was heart breaking.”

In August 2013 Lily was invited to take part in a trial of a new

drug called adalimumab to treat Uveitis. The trial (which is now finished) involved a fortnightly injection under the skin, similar to having a vaccination needle.

To date Lily has had a really good response to the treatment. She is now much more active than she was before and is able to keep up with her friends when they play

Lily together; she has even joined a gymnastics club! In fact Lily’s trial was so successful the treatment has been made widely available on the NHS for treating many other children with Uveitis.

Her family can’t believe the improvement.

“We immediately felt that we’d turned a corner,” says Lily’s mum Jane. “It was a big decision to put Lily on these new drugs but I trusted the doctors at Alder Hey and it’s really paid off. Not only has her condition improved but her confidence is so much better now too.”

to improve the health and wellbeing of children with arthritis and related rheumatic conditions.

Working with the UK’s Paediatric Rheumatology Clinical Studies Group, the centre has identified four priority disease areas: JIA, childhood lupus, JIA–associated Uveitis (a potentially serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if untreated) and childhood bone diseases.

The new national centre has been awarded funding of over £1.25 million over five years from a number of sources, including donations made to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

“It was a big decision to put Lily on these new drugs but I trusted the doctors at Alder Hey and it’s really paid off. Not only has her condition improved but her confidence is so much better now too.”

Shortly after her treatment ended Lily and her dad waved goodbye to the nurses and went home to Southport where a schedule full of gymnastics and swimming lessons awaited them. Dad Nick says Lily now has her 800 metre badge: “These days you can hardly tell she has Arthritis at all.”

The trial was run by the Arthritis Research UK National Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children which is based at Alder Hey and the University of Liverpool. The centre aims

HAS LILY’S STORY INSPIRED YOU TO FUNDRAISE? Let us know as we would love to hear your remarkable stories and memories of Alder Hey. It’s always amazing to hear about events and challenges undertaken in appreciation of care received at the hospital.

Remarkable Lily 27