Alder Hey Children's Charity INSPIRED Magazine #10 Events Special

AlderHeyHospital

@AlderHeyCharity

AlderHey_Inspired

Issue no. 9

Alder Hey Children’s Charity Magazine

Registered charity no. 1160661

SPECIAL EVENTS EDITION

Inside Issue 10...

3

Thank you to our Lockdown Heros

4

Alder Hey Olimpics

6

Huzaifah’s Story

8

Tractors Lit up

9

Dragon Boat, Abseil for Alder Hey and Coinston Challenge

10 Archie’s Story 12 Ben’s Golf Day 13 Trek to Petra 14 Join our Running

Team

16 London to Paris and

Snowdon Trek

Setting up a direct debit for just £3 per month is easy and it can make a huge difference to the work we do.

Go to www. alderheycharity. org and click on the red DONATE button

A big

Hello

& welcome to Inspired

i s s u e 10

Welcome to our special events edition of Inspired.

The past year has been a difficult time for everyone, and whilst this edition looks forward to better times in 2021, the team here at Alder Hey Children’s Charity want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to our Alder Hey colleagues and supporters for everything they’ve done throughout the Covid pandemic.

Thank you in the first instance to our amazing NHS colleagues who have worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to ensure the very best care for our young patients and their families, in exceptionally challenging circumstances. We salute our hero clinicians, our hero nurses, our hero catering and domestic staff, our hero administrators and every other single one of our 4000 Alder Hey hero colleagues.

We’d also like to thank you, our supporters, without whom we couldn’t continue to provide life-saving equipment, vital research, healthcare innovation and a world class hospital campus to help treat the 330,000 children and young people that come to Alder Hey every year.

Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, cycled, joined our lottery, found a bargain in our Old Swan Charity Shop, set up a direct debit or shopped online with us. And thank you to the companies who supported us with both monetary and gift in kind donations.

As we slowly inch towards an end to lockdown we are busy planning for our events to restart. In this special edition of Inspired we hope that you will find an event to join us at in 2021 or the inspiration to create your own.

Thank you for helping us to put the magic into Alder Hey. We hope to see you in 2021.

From all of us at Alder Hey Children’s Charity xxx

thank you to o u r loc k down h e ro e s …

Thank you to all of our amazing supporters who have helped to support our fabulous hospital and hero staff during the pandemic. Your efforts are appreciated by all of us here at Alder Hey – here are just some of your amazing fundraising endeavours…

Richi e Swan , Harriet J e ff r i e s AND Chloe H innigan All gave their time and efforts to run Alder Hey bootcamps during lockdown, raising thousands of pounds along the way

T h e Pa e diat r ic N u r s ing s t u d e nt s

Pat r ic k M o o r e Completed 60 miles in 6 weeks to celebrate his 10th birthday and 10 years of being treated at Alder Hey. He smashed his initial £100 target and raised an incredible £2630 H a r r i e t Smith Cycled 100 miles in just seven days an raised an outstanding £1100

Sca r l e tt M o o r e Cycled 5K and raised a fabulous £300

M ac e l l o M e at H o u s e Raised a meaty £360 by asking customers to make a donation if they needed a facemask

F r e ddi e Walked, ran and cycled to complete a 40 mile Everest Challenge raising a mountainous £1650

Edge Hill University signed up for our #millionmiles challenge and have already covered over 1316 miles raising £1,319 En v i s i o n M e dia Ltd Raffled off an enormous selection box raising a delicious £3296 Harriet M c G u ffi e , M a r k Scan l o n A N D D iann e Ath e r t o n Helped us to be Mentally Fit for March by presenting thrice weekly ultimate mornings of live yoga, workouts and meditation.

Welcome to our ambassadors 3

The Alder Hey Friday 23rd July – Sunday 5th September

Run

Marathon? 10K? Relay?

Whatever your distance, whatever your speed there’s an Olimpian in you! (see pages 14 & 15 for some running event ideas)

Swim

In nice heated pool or slightly cooler open water.

The channel swim is 21 miles in case you want to try the big one?

Cycle

On road, off road, with or without stabilisers cycling is a great way to join TeamAH. Turn to the back page for our London to Paris challenge – that’s 315miles!

Decathlon

The ultimate Olimpic challenge, 10 events over 6 weeks (or however long you want to take!)

Climb

Always wanted to climb Snowdon, Sca Fell, Ben Nevis, maybe all 3 Peaks?

Now you can get an Olimpic medal for doing so! Turn to the back page for our Snowdon by Night event.

(or any alternative date that suits you)

It has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone during the COVID pandemic and while we’re not quite out of lockdown yet, we are looking forward to a fantastic summer of activity.

What better way to enjoy the summer in 2021 than to get active, join TeamAH and become an Alder Hey Olimpian to support our amazing young patients.

Every member of TeamAH will receive a welcome pack and special participation certificate, and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded for podium finishers (raising £100 = Bronze, £500 = Silver and £1000 = Gold).

As an individual There are so many activities and challenges for you to choose from. We’ve provided some ideas here or you can get creative with your own Olimpic challenge.

As a team Team sports and clubs are back! Whatever your sport, why not celebrate by holding a tournament, competition or match?

We can provide medals for the podium placed teams.

4 The Alder Hey Olimpics

As a company

At school

Challenge your colleagues, engage your staff, build your TeamAH. • Inter department 5 a side football • Office Olimpics (Paper javelin throwing, chair rowing, bin basketball…)

• Team away day climbing a mountain

School will be out for summer when the Olimpics take place but why not s upport us before the summer break by holding an Olimpics school sports day or have a handball (dodgeball) or softball (rounders) competition.

It’s so easy to get involved, simply choose your activity or challenge and sign up at www.alderheycharity.org/olimpics

Help us reach a

Million Miles For children’s mental health

Help us reach our £3m target and sign up today!

Simply register at alderheycharity.org

The Alder Hey Olimpics 5

Where are th e y n ow ?

Young Ambassador Huzaifah Valli is now 17 years old...

Born with a chronic heart condition called transposition of the great arteries, Huzaifah had his first operation at Alder Hey for a pulmonary artery band to control the blood flow to his lungs, when he was just eight days old.

His second operation in his first year was the first part of a Fontan Procedure, and in 2012 when he was nine years old, Huzaifah had the second stage of the Fontan Procedure and a pacemaker fitted.

“I can’t remember the first two operations, but I can remember the last one a lot. It was a rather strange feeling, but the staff were great at making me feel comfortable in the hospital environment.”

Huzaifah Valli Huzaifah has been a young Charity Ambassador for the past eight years and has involved his family, friends and school in his fundraising. He has attended many events including bunking in a bunker and Oli’s Safari Walk; and he was chosen to be a ball boy at Steven Gerrard’s testimonial match.

“At 17 I feel like I’ve been through a lot, but I’ve also gained a lot of knowledge and made wonderful friends. Just before the pandemic I did a week of work experience with my

We have guaranteed places for 2021!

One 8-10 mile loop of mud-soaked mayhem loaded with 25 obstacles.

A thrilling challenge for those who want to test themselves to the limit!

For further information contact adam.dixon@alderheycharity.org

6 Huzaifah’s Story

heart surgeon Dr Ram. It was great to see what happens on the other side.”

do an apprenticeship in either biomedical engineering or civil engineering.

“Life has been a challenge but honestly, I can say the staff at Alder Hey have been incredible. The love and support they have given myself and my family. I can’t thank them enough.”

Despite the challenge of having to shield throughout the pandemic, Huzaifah explained that there have been positives as it has had “a great effect on my studies”.

Huzaifah is currently at college completing his final year of a B-Tech in mechanical engineering and is hoping to

Huzaifah is an amazing, positive young man – we’re grateful to have him as one of our Young Ambassadors.

Huzaifah and dad, Soofyan, spent the night in a WWII bunker!

SKYDIVE

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Huzaifah’s Story 7

T r a c to r s L i t U p Ch r i st m as Co n vo y When local farmer Olly Harrison saw an event in the Isle of Man where farmers decorated their tractors and took to the streets to provide a spectacle for the local community at Christmas, he loved the idea. He also felt sure he could do something even bigger, and better in Liverpool.

A week later, on Sunday 20th December, 100 festively decorated tractors and a fabulous ‘Rola Cola’ lorry left Olly’s Water Lane Farm forming a magical Christmas convoy through the streets of Liverpool, visiting Alder Hey for a drive-by en route to put a much needed smile on the faces of young patients in hospital during the Christmas period.

“At the end of a very difficult year, the tractor convoy was just what the community needed. It was a fantastic festive spectacle that not only cheered the patients at Alder Hey, but one that put a smile on the faces of everyone who witnessed it along the route.

Everyone at Alder Hey is so grateful to Olly, to the whole farming community who took part, and to Merseyside Police for supporting the event. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

Supported by Merseyside Police, the convoy was escorted by nine Police motorbikes for the parade, with all of the officers volunteering on their day off to help support the event.

Olly’s original target was to raise £5,000 but it soon became clear that the local community had taken the tractors to their heart; and as the convoy rolled on, so did the donations.

By the end of the event an incredible £42,717.09 had been raised with over 2000 people making donations.

Cath Harding, Head of Community Fundraising explained; For details on next year’s event and for information on Olly’s world beating Sunflower Maze please keep an eye on our website at www.alderheycharity.org

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2021 Teams of 11 compete to be

Knowsley Safari Park crowned the fastest team on Entry: Sunday 9th May 2021, 10.00amthe water. There’s £10 per adult, £5 per child something or £20 for a family of 4

2 children) for everyone (2toadults, enjoy at this To enter: family fun day! www.alderheycharity/events/oliwalk

Charity no: 1160661

T: Helen Hughes on 0151 252 5364

E: helen.hughes@alderheycharity.org Registration per boat: £275

Saturday 4th September Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre

Sponsorship:£1000 Supported By: E: becky.parsons@alderheycharity.org | www.alderheycharity.org Proudly sponsored by:

Abseil for

PLEASE CONTACT US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL: HELEN.HUGHES@ ALDERHEYCHARITY.ORG TELEPHONE: 0151 252 5364 CHARITY NUMBER: 1160661

17th & 24th Saturday 10th July August 2021

Abseil 150ft over the main entrance to Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral Reg. Fee £40 Min. Sponsorship £160

Saturday 10th July 2021 10km Old Man trek up of Conis ton

ak across 3km kay Waters Coniston

17km Grizedale Forest mountain bike challenge

Please contact us for more information Email: Helen.Hughes@AlderHeyCharity.org Telephone: 0151 252 5364

Where are th e y n ow ?

We have a growing group of young fundraising ambassadors at Alder Hey. Here we find out where one of our longest serving ambassadors is now…

Alder Hey Ambassador Archie Veale was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital via air ambulance in March 2014 from his local hospital on the Isle of Man. 15 year old Archie was suffering from an infection which led to severe sepsis and multi-organ failure.

“The first 37 days of my stay were in the Intensive Care Unit where a fantastically skilled team of medical professionals connected me to multiple pieces of life saving equipment including a ventilator, dialysis and ECMO (a machine which took over the function of the heart and lungs and helped deliver oxygen into the blood) to give my struggling organs and body a rest and time to recover.

First Class Archie The remainder of my five month stay was spent on the neurological wards where I worked closely with physiotherapists alongside others to improve my health.”

Now 22, Archie explains how his stay in Alder Hey changed his outlook on life.

“I find myself more eager to help others, to share my story to increase awareness and it has also shaped the career path I have chosen.

Having always had a passion for engineering and design, I began to wonder how I could incorporate healthcare into this.

Oli’s Safa Knowsley Safari Park

To register

10 Archie’s Story

A major part of my recovery still affecting me seven years on is weakness in my lower limbs, I have drop foot on both sides and I am a bit wobbly when standing and walking.

To overcome this, both in the early days of my recovery and now, I have used orthoses.

and during the COVID19 pandemic he graduated with an amazing first-class honours’ degree.

For me, orthotics is the perfect combination of healthcare, helping others and engineering and design.”

“None of my current achievements would have been possible without the support of my loving family, friends and, of course, Alder Hey!”

After studying for his A-levels, Archie went on to study three years of Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Salford,

He has since secured a role as a full-time orthotist in the North of England.

Everyone at Alder Hey is so proud of Archie, he is an incredible young man.

ari Walk

3k sponsored walk

• Sunday 12th September 2021 • 10.00am

r www.alderheycharity.org/events

Archie’s Story 11

G ol f D ay s f o r A ld e r H e y I n 1 9 0 4 A m e rican nov e list H arry L e on W ilson claim e d that “ golf is a good wal k spoil e d ! ” Not so for Ben Spanton, PGA Golf Professional based at Warrington Golf Club, and dad to four year old Alder Hey patient Jude, who used his golfing expertise to fundraise and train for a six day trekking challenge in the Himalayas.

“This will push me to my limits. I feel this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I feel very lucky that I can use this trek to help fundraise for a charity that means so much to me and my family.”

In 2016 Jude was born prematurely with a congenital heart defect, bilateral talipes and scoliosis caused by hemivertebra. He required bowel surgery and open heart surgery in his first four months of life and spent the best part of five months in hospital. In April 2019 Jude also had a second open heart surgery.

Despite his health issues and many weeks spent at Alder Hey, Jude is doing extremely well and managed to start school in September 2019.

Jude will be closely monitored and will have regular check ups at Alder Hey until he is 18 years old.

“Alder Hey has not only looked after Jude, but also my wife Laura and I as parents through what has been an incredibly difficult time. They will also continue to support us as a family for many years to come.”

Ben’s golf day at Warrington Golf Club was amazingly successful raising over £17,000.

He is now looking forward to the challenge of hiking 50km in the Nepalese Himalayas in October.

12 Ben’s Golf Day

L ov e golf ? G e t involv e d in o u r A ld e r H e y G olf D ay Thursday 7th October 2021 The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, Knutsford Teams of 4 (£800 per team, £200 per person) A fantastic day of golf followed by an evening dinner Contact corporate@ alderheycharity.org for further information, registration and sponsorship opportunities

D on ’ t want to spoil th e good wal k ?

Join us on our amazing International Challenge to Jordan in 2022 For further information cath.harding@alderheycharity.org

J o i n ou r r u n n i n g t e a m i n 2 02 1 W hat e v e r yo u r distanc e , what e v e r yo u r pac e , join o u r r u nning t e am in 2 0 2 1 and w e ’ ll k e e p yo u motivat e d to r e ach yo u r r u nning and fitn e ss goals .

Join in one of the running events mentioned here, choose your own event, or set yourself a virtual challenge – whatever your preference, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Jamie Penswick ran a minimum of 5K every day throughout 2020, culminating in a final 15 hour New Year’s Eve run form home to Alder Hey! Jamie raised an incredible £11,745!

RUN FOR ALDER HEY IN 2021 FOR FREE! Liverpool Half Marathon/10 Miler • Sunday 12th September Great North Run, Newcastle • Sunday 12th September Virtual London Marathon • Sunday 12th September For information email: community@alderheycharity.org call 0151 252 5705 Mersey Tunnel 10k • Sunday 26th September For details on the above and other running events

email: community@alderheycharity.org or call: 0151 252 5705

14 Join our running team

FINISH 21

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9 Registered Charity No. 1160661

Congratulations to Dave Henshaw who ran the Virtual London Marathon in 2020.

Inspired by son Max. Dave lost over 5 stone and raised a fantastic £1440.95!

J oin o u r A ld e r H e y C hildr e n ’ s C harity virt u al r u nning cl u b on S trava and yo u ’ ll n e v e r r u n alon e !

For your free running vest and running club pack please contact adam.dixon@alderheycharity.org

Saturday 30th October Start time 10:45am at Southport Pleasureland

eNTer oNlINe AT www.alderheycharity.org

Join our running team 15

G IN M N… O C OO S

LON D ON

TO

PARI S

BIKE RIDE SPRING 2022

An awesome cycling challenge and one of the best fundraising events in Europe.

Join our team and ride London to Paris for a truly inspirational experience spending 4 days in the saddle, cycling 309 miles from capital to capital.

Starting in London we’ll cycle through glorious English countryside to Dover, before crossing the Channel to Calais. Once across the water, remembering to keep to the right(!), we cycle along quiet French country lanes, through traditional market towns, passing the war memorials and cemeteries of the Somme.

The home stretch takes us around the Arc de Triomphe and along the Champs Elysées, before our finish line at the magnificent Eiffel Tower.

To register your interest or for more information please email adam.dixon@alderheycharity.org