INSPIRED #19

AlderHeyHospital

@AlderHeyCharity

AlderHey_Inspired

@oli.for.alder.hey

Issue no. 19

Alder Hey Children’s Charity Magazine

Oli on TikTok Leave a Lasting Legacy New Kilimanjaro Challenge

Tel: 0151 252 5716 | Web: www.alderheycharity.org | Email: info@alderheycharity.org Registered Charity no. 1160661

Inside Issue 19...

3

Heroes Recognised

4

Thank You to all our Fabulous Supporters

6

Taylor Tackles a Virtual Challenge

8

Summer's Story

H E L L O & WELCOME TO triathlons, auction nights and last September I completed my biggest physical challenge when I climbed Mount Snowdon only 10 months after having had double foot surgery.

10 How Your Support Has

My personal goal is to reach £100,000!

12

Rebecca’s Pledge

14

Oli's Adventures

15

Mascot Grand National

16

Yr Wyddfa Challenge

18

Dropping Pounds for ££

I have been privileged to meet many great people due to my fundraising and bravery which includes Wayne and Colleen Rooney, Jonny Bairstow, Little Mix, Harry Duke of Sussex, and even Harry’s Grandma HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Unfortunately, I cried when I met the Queen, but my Mum said she was very nice and kind.

Made a Difference

20 Music Therapy –

with a Little Help from our Friends

22 Harry's Story 24 Tour de Môn 25 Volunteer with

Alder Hey

26 Christmas Wrap Up 27 Santa Paddle lights up

the Albert Dock

28 Community Business 30 Why I Run 32 Kilimanjaro

Challenge

Front cover photo features Dr. Sally Al-Bachari

Our guest editor this edition of Inspired is Lewis Connett.

Hello everyone, My name is Lewis and I am 12 years old. I live in West Yorkshire which takes a minimum of one hour to get to Alder Hey, that’s on a good day! I have been a patient at Alder Hey all my life and have had lots of surgeries, in fact I had number 23 in March.

In January 2024, I had my biggest surgery, a mid-face advancement which I had to wear a frame for 3 months.

It was tough at times, but I had my friends and family to support me through the journey. Those friends and family along with my big brother Hayden, has helped raise £80,835 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity by completing big challenges – both the National & Yorkshire 3 peaks, 10k runs, marathons, dragon boats, cricket games,

It’s an absolute honour to step into the role of Guest Editor for this edition of Inspired. Alder Hey has been a part of my life in ways I’ll never forget and being able to contribute to a magazine that celebrates its people, its patients, and its incredible spirit feels genuinely special.

HEROES RECOGNISED It was an emotional and inspiring night in December for the inaugural The Guide Liverpool Heroes Awards.

When you spend time at Alder Hey, you quickly realise it’s not just a hospital. It’s a place filled with courage, kindness, and a kind of hope that’s hard to put into words. You see it in the families who walk through the doors every day, in the staff who go above and beyond without ever expecting recognition, and in the young people who show strength far beyond their years.

That’s what makes Alder Hey remarkable.

I hope this leaves you feeling as uplifted and inspired as I felt putting it together. Alder Hey has shaped so many lives, including mine, and I’m proud to help shine a light on the stories that deserve to be heard.

Enjoy the read - and keep inspiring.

Lewis Connett aged 12

The awards honoured those who make the Liverpool City Region a better place and were organised by The Guide Liverpool who have supported Alder Hey for many years.

A huge thank you to Jay Hynd and everyone at The Guide Liverpool for choosing Alder Hey Children’s Charity as their Charity on the night and raising an incredible £12,500 for our MediCinema.

CONGRATUL ATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS INCLUDING…

Alder Hey Charity Ambassador Henri Brammer who won the Child of Courage Award.

Olly Harrison, long term Alder Hey supporter and driving force behind the Tractor Run and Sunflower Maze who won the Fundraising Hero Award.

– just one part of a normal family from Halifax Read about Lewis’ Snowdon Challenge on page 17 Heroes Recognised 3

We are constantly inspired by the support shown to Alder Hey and the amazing, ingenious ways people have raised money to make a difference to our young patients and their families. Here are just a few of the brilliant activities and fundraisers that have inspired us recently.

TO OUR FABUL

Jim Ellis held a charity concert and raised a whopping £856.68.

Delamere Forest Golf Club was home to the annual Neil & Barker Golf Day which raised a brilliant £7,000.

Dance Unlimited Show Steppers donated a spectacular £8,410 from their Gala Dinner at the Delta.

The Home Service Royal Artillery have supported Alder Hey for many years. They raised an incredible £2,630 by completing the Bala Lake Circular Walk between 30th September and 2nd October.

4 Thank You to all Our Fabulous Supporters

Thank you to the Spirit of Broadway team who raised £14,000 from their charity concert.

OUS SUPPORTERS x Our friends at Box Step Fitness generously gifted us a selection of top-of-the-range gym equipment for Alder Hey's Physiotherapy Department which will help the team to plan engaging and effective rehabilitation programmes for children and young people.

Keen swimmer Harrison Dale was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non–Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in March 2025. Now in remission Harrison and his family wanted to thank Alder Hey for the incredible care they received and organised a 24 hour Swim-a-thon.

Together with participants from Southport Swimming Club, Marshside Health Club, Stanley High School and Swims ‘Cool’ they raised an incredible £27,700!

Author LL Junior kindly donated £5,990 - the proceeds from the first 1,000 ebooks sold of his novel, Maud: Heirs to a Broken Age, after it launched at Liverpool Comic Con in November.

Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School, inspired by pupil and Alder Hey patient Callum, raised an incredible £2,316.13 by holding an own-clothes day.

Liverpool Scooter Club’s annual Christmas visit brought hundreds of gifts for the children and a fabulous £743.86.

Dovedale Primary School raised a festive £471 by completing a Santa Dash.

Thank You to all Our Fabulous Supporters 5

TAYLOR TACKLES A VIRTUAL CHALLENGE Our Virtual Facebook Challenges give supporters the chance to raise vital funds whilst completing a challenge over a set period of time, usually a month.

The challenges can be completed by running, walking, cycling, swimming – or any other physical way that fits in with your lifestyle.

By joining one of our virtual challenges you become part of a like-minded community pulling together to make a real difference to the lives of young children and their families at Alder Hey. Our October 2025 challenge was to complete 120km.

We were inspired by so many on the group, including Alder Hey patient Taylor Crabb.

17-year-old Taylor covered his 120km by tracking 24 x 5km runs which he fitted around his football commitments as both a player and supporter at Runcorn Linnets.

Originally hoping to raise £500, Taylor smashed all expectations by raising an incredible £1,956.

His achievement was made all the more remarkable as Taylor has Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and only three years ago he was left fighting for his life in intensive care.

Taylor was transferred to Alder Hey from Warrington General Hospital to undergo further tests and treatments after he had been admitted with a raging temperature, vomiting and a rash all over his body.

Apparently improving, he was allowed home after a week but soon fell ill again.

"After a few days, my rash was back," he explained.

"I was really unwell again and my lymph nodes were raised all through my body. That night was the worst. I went to Alder Hey A&E and I was taken through to resuscitation. The staff were amazing, telling me it was precaution and reassuring me.

I don't remember much from then apart from lots of people coming and going, lots of poking and prodding and the next thing I was in intensive care.

I had been sedated and given lifesaving medication to help my heart. My immune

6 Taylor Tackles a Virtual Challenge

struggling with fatigue Taylor is “the healthiest I have been for years."

Taylor signed up for the Virtual Challenge to repay Alder Hey for their care explaining that he felt it was the very least he could do.

system had gone into overdrive and my heart couldn't cope."

Thankfully Taylor’s condition stabilised and after a few weeks he was well enough to go home - but medics were unable to positively identify the cause of his condition.

“

I truly owe my life to Alder Hey. The care, compassion and reassurance that every single member of staff showed me and my family throughout was exceptional, from the cleaners to the top consultants. I will be eternally grateful.

”

"I had lots of tests, I went down to theatre a number of times and had to have a bone marrow aspiration, lymph nodes removed from my neck and biopsies from my bones and skin.

I went on steroids and probably doubled in weight. Being in school at the time and not being well enough to exercise this was a really hard time for me."

Taylor, now a student at Cronton College has enjoyed the loving support of his parents Dave and Maria along with brother Josh, 21 throughout his illness and the challenge.

Taylor continued to attend Alder Hey every month for blood tests and in September 2024, he was readmitted to hospital when symptoms started to flare up again. After more trips to theatre and further tests, he was diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

"My route changed a few times. It was all over Runcorn. I did a few on my own, a few with friends and a few with both my footy teams."

His condition is now managed by a weekly injection and despite having joint pain and

His recovery was also spurred by his friends plus Linnets coaches and players with some of his team-mates joining him on the runs.

Despite his traumatic ordeal, Taylor has remained positive, fighting back to resume his football career as a midfielder for Linnets' Blues Under 17s and Revolution U18s and he regularly attends as a fan. Taylor also plays darts - alongside his dad - for Linnets Chuckers in the Runcorn League.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR SUMMER VIRTUAL CHALLENGE ON FACEBOOK.

By signing up you’ll get some amazing incentives and be part of an inspirational community all whilst getting fit and raising vital funds to support the 450,000 children and their families treated at Alder Hey every single year.

Taylor Tackles a Virtual Challenge 7

SUMMER 'S STORY When Summer was born, her family had no idea she was living with an undiagnosed heart condition. At just four months old, she was diagnosed with a large ventricular septal defect (VSD) – a significant hole in her heart. For her parents, it was a moment that turned their world upside down.

After two weeks at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Summer was transferred to Alder Hey for specialist care.

There, she underwent her first heart surgery – a huge operation for such a tiny baby.

Following surgery, Summer received oneto-one care in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit before continuing her recovery on Ward 1C, supported by Alder Hey’s dedicated cardiac team.

For her parents, Stephanie and James, the compassion shown to their whole family was just as important as the clinical expertise, as they told us:

“

Summer received incredible care whilst at Alder Hey, and we felt truly supported as a family.

She continues to receive the same exceptional care at her ongoing check-ups. We always look forward to seeing Dr Soda and Dr Narayanan, we owe everything to them and their wonderful teams.

8 Summer’s Story

”

Today, Summer is thriving, and her family are determined to give back. Inspired by the care that has supported their daughter through her toughest moments, they have raised an incredible £12,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, helping to ensure that other children facing complex conditions receive the same support that made such a difference to them.

Now aged five, Summer is continuing to defy the odds and thrive, enjoying school and having fun with her friends. Summer’s story is possible thanks to your support of helping to make Alder Hey a world-leading, patientfriendly hospital, and allowing us to continue our mission of creating brighter, happier and healthier futures for children and young people.

Summer’s story is possible thanks to your support of helping to make Alder Hey a world-leading, patient-friendly hospital.

Summer's Story 9

HOW YOUR SUPPORT HAS

MADE A DIFFERENCE By supporting Alder Hey Children’s Charity, you help to make a difference for all the babies, children and young people that use Alder Hey’s services every single day. From funding pioneering research and medical equipment, to creating life-changing magical experiences, here are just a few of the ways that you have made a difference in the last six months: SUNFLOWER HOUSE PL AYGROUND

A grant of £21,573 has enabled the redevelopment of the playground at Sunflower House, Alder Hey’s Tier 4 mental health inpatient unit.

The redesigned outdoor space prioritises privacy, dignity and comfort, creating a safe and therapeutic environment where young people can relax, play and support their recovery journey.

BLUETOOTH ECG MACHINES

CARE CLOSER TO HOME

Thanks to £50,190 in supporter donations, state-of-the-art Bluetooth ECG machines have been installed across Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

These innovative machines provide instant results and allow clinicians to securely share information in real time - speeding up diagnosis, reducing delays and cutting down on administration. That means quicker treatment decisions and more time focused on what truly matters: caring for children and young people.

Equipment 10 How Your Support has Made a Difference

Magic

Your generous donations of £4,500 have supported Care Closer to Home, an innovative cancer care programme delivering chemotherapy and other treatments directly to patients’ homes. By reducing hospital visits, this model gives young people more time with family, more time at school and fewer travel-related costs, easing both emotional and financial pressure during an already challenging time.

Campus and Community

Research and Innovation

ORAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH SEND

£15,000 in charitable funding helped launch a campaign to address poor oral health among children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Liverpool.

Delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Council and the University of Liverpool, the initiative is raising awareness, tackling health inequalities and helping to improve long-term outcomes for some of the region’s most vulnerable children.

REALISTIC SURGICAL SIMUL ATION FOR COMPLEX NEUROSURGERY

Donations totalling £10,877 funded a highly realistic surgical simulator for complex paediatric neurosurgery.

This cuttingedge equipment allows surgeons to practise intricate procedures in a safe environment, strengthening skills and confidence, and ultimately improving care for children with complex neurological conditions.

CHRISTMAS 2025

Your incredible generosity funded £33,920 of festive activities and gifts at Alder Hey in 2025, including the annual Light Switch On event and Santa’s Grotto. For children spending Christmas in hospital, these special moments bring comfort, joy and a sense of normality, ensuring every child can experience the magic of the season, no matter what they are facing.

How Your Support has Made a Difference 11

REBECCA’S PLEDGE Gifts In Wills Transform lives at Alder Hey

Supporting Alder Hey can be done in many different ways. Some run marathons, some join our weekly lottery. Others organise events or get their workplace involved. All of these things allow us to make a real difference to the lives of babies, children and young people.

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity, gifts in wills left by our kind supporters are also transforming the lives of our young patients and their families.

Rebecca Bergin, pledged to leave a gift to Alder Hey Children’s Charity in her will as a way to thank Alder Hey for the care that her son Tommy received.

Tommy was admitted to Alder Hey after he became irritable with diarrhoea during the night. Rebecca initially suspected he had a virus, but after he became hot to touch and began having difficulty breathing, she rang for an ambulance.

Soon after arriving at Alder Hey, Rebecca received the news that no parent ever expects to hear: Tommy had bacterial meningitis and sepsis.

After a quick reaction from Rebecca and the specialists to get Tommy the treatment he needed, doctors were able to make crucial steps to protect his brain.

12 Rebecca’s Pledge

Explaining how the specialists and staff made a difference during her experience at Alder Hey, Rebecca told us:

“

Alder Hey made the most difficult time in my son’s life more bearable. The nurses and consultants were so helpful and supportive when Tommy got his diagnosis. I couldn’t have got through it without the amazing nurses on 4B, they took the time to get to know me and my son, and even got me a card for my birthday as we spent it in the ward.

“

After the care that Tommy received at the hospital, I decided to leave a gift for Alder Hey in my will so they can continue to make the most difficult times in other families’ lives easier.

I’m so glad my son was looked after by this amazing hospital; I cannot thank everyone at Alder Hey enough for what they have done for us.

”

The consultants were so helpful with explaining what was going on and took the time to tell us what we could expect during his recovery.

”

Grateful for the care that Tommy received at Alder Hey, Rebecca has made a difference for other children and young people at Alder Hey like Tommy, by pledging to leave a gift in her will to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

If you are interested in finding out more about leaving a gift in your will, or if you would like to write or update your will free of charge, please contact our Legacy Fundraiser, Megan at legacies@alderhey.nhs.uk

Rebecca’s Pledge 13

OLI’S ADVENTURES Our charity mascot Oli is an important member of our fundraising team.

Oli represents the child-centric focus of Alder Hey, his large ears recognise the hospital’s ability to listen to young patients and their families whilst his stitching represents the attention to detail and the level of care we provide for every one of our patients.

Oli visits schools, attends events and even has his own Safari Walk!

He also caught the running bug a couple of years ago and has since completed a variety of events.

Excitingly, he’s just launched his own Oli for Alder Hey TikTok channel which will allow him to take Alder Hey supporters along with him during our busy event season, from lining up on the starting lines of Liverpool Half Marathon, London Landmarks Half Marathon and London Marathon, to following him around Knowsley Safari Park.

Join Oli for a behind-the-scenes look at some of our most exciting events!

Search 'Oli for Alder Hey' on TikTok or scan the QR code to join the fun!

@oli.for.alder.hey

Why not join Oli at the Mascot Grand National?

14 Oli's Adventures

MascotGrandNational Friday 15th May 2026 at Aintree Racecourse CHILDREN’S CHARITY

Registration fee: £50 || Sponsorship: £250 To find out more, or to register to take part, visit www.alderheycharity.org/events, email community@alderheycharity.org or scan the QR code.

Scan here for more info!

Registered Charity No: 1160661

Mascot Grand National 15

12th September YR WYDDFA 2026 CHALLENGE 2026

15km hike 15km cycle 3km kayak

Register online: www.alderheycharity.org

YR WYDDFA CHALLENGE 2026 BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SPONSORED BY

16 Yr Wyddfa Challenge

Y R W Y D D FA C H A L L E N G E This edition’s Guest Editor, Charity Ambassador, and long-term Alder Hey patient Lewis Connett conquered the 3,049ft of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in September.

Lewis, who has Apert Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder, has undergone over 23 surgeries at Alder Hey.

We are beyond proud!

Everyone did amazing.

(Mum Donna)

He trained hard for the climb, including We’re proud of you too some warm weather Lewis – well done! walking in Corfu whilst on a family holiday where he also swam every day to prepare for the challenge.

Unfortunately, the warm weather didn’t follow him back home and, along with 66 of his friends and family, Lewis battled some adverse weather conditions to get to the top via the Llanberis Path.

Despite the lack of sunshine and views at the top, all 67 summited, raising an incredible £6,000 along the way.

If you’d like to follow in Lewis’s footsteps and conquer Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) why not sign up for our ultimate team challenge – the Yr Wyddfa Challenge where as a team of four you’ll not only conquer the highest mountain in Wales but also kayak 3km across Lake Padarn and cycle 15km through the amazing Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).

Yr Wyddfa Challenge 17

DROPPING POUNDS FOR ££ Back in 2014 Alder Hey Children’s Charity organised their first overseas challenge to the Great Wall of China.

At Manchester Airport as we checked in for the outbound flight, Laura Kearns was a teary onlooker as she and the rest of her family waved her nephew Mark off to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

Last year we organised our second trip to the Great Wall and this time, inspired

by Mark’s exploits, it was Laura being bid a fond farewell as she followed in her nephew’s footsteps to walk on the longest man-made structure on earth.

“I was inspired to get involved when Mark took part in his first challenge. He was a patient at Alder Hey for 20 years undergoing over 150 surgeries including one to amputate his right leg below the knee when he was just eight years old.”

It wasn’t as simple as just registering for a challenge for Laura. In her words she was “excessively overweight” and signing up to a physical challenge simply wasn’t an option at that point.

A determined Laura set about getting herself fitter, and two years after waving Mark off to China, Laura signed up for her first Alder Hey challenge to complete the Inca Trail in 2017, having lost an incredible 7.5 stone.

She then completed the Nepal Himalaya Trek in 2023 alongside her inspiration Mark, before successfully tackling the Great Wall of China without him in 2025.

18 Dropping Pounds for ££

“

I have loved every challenge although they have all been hard! The one thing on all three challenges that kept me going was the people - all with one common goal of raising as much money as possible for the hospital. The camaraderie got me through and ensured that even the toughest days were fun.

”

Laura has now lost a total of 8.5 stone and is looking forward to her first cycling challenge in November when she will pedal 382km from Vietnam to Cambodia.

If you’ve been inspired to join one of our overseas challenges it’s not too late to register for our Vietnam to Cambodia Bike ride in November, or if scaling Kilimanjaro is on your bucket list, sign up for our 2027 challenge and climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

For further details and to register visit www.alderheycharity.org/event/kilimanjaro-trek

Dropping Pounds for ££ 19

MUSIC THERAPY – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS Alder Hey is celebrating 20 years of Arts for Health in 2026.

Arts for Health provides more than 11,000 children and young people each year with access to inspiring creative activities to help support recovery, help develop new skills, and lift spirits during their time in hospital.

Martin and Rachel are two of our incredible music practitioners. Known as Cascade, they bring comfort, smiles and distraction to young patients every week in our Emergency Department. Whether they’re entertaining children in the waiting area or comforting them during treatment, their music helps to turn anxious moments into calmer ones.

From long-term inpatients to those visiting A&E, these extra special moments of magic are made possible thanks to generous grants and donations to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

20 Music Therapy – with a Little Help from our Friends

Over the Christmas period we were delighted to welcome local chart toppers and Friends of Alder Hey, The K’s to the hospital to see some of the incredible work happening across our healthcare campus.

The band spend time with our team, learnt about how Alder Hey’s Arts for Health programme supports music therapy for children and young people and saw first-hand the impact Alder Hey Innovation is having on our young people and their families.

Chart topping rock band The K's visited us to see all the incredible things that we support at Alder Hey!

“

We absolutely loved our visit to Alder Hey. Such an incredible beacon of hope for children far and wide. We are honoured to be Friends of Alder Hey and to be working with this amazing bunch. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

”

We have some exciting musical fundraising plans in the pipeline which will support activities like our Arts for Health and Music Therapy at Alder Hey. If you are a musician, member of a music group or work within the music industry and would like to get involved in changing the lives of young people at Alder Hey please drop us a line at community@alderhey.nhs.uk

Music Therapy – with a Little Help from our Friends 21

HARRY'S STORY Harry was a healthy, energetic little boy whose sudden change in voice at the end of lockdown seemed, at first, easy to explain away, until a family holiday turned frightening when he began choking on his food. Trusting her instincts, his mum Laura brought him to Alder Hey, where urgent investigations uncovered the devastating cause: a brain tumour pressing on the areas that control speech and swallowing.

Harry’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he was taken to intensive care as infection set in and his family were warned to prepare for the worst. Surgeons removed more than 90% of the tumour, and in the days that followed Harry did what he has continued to do ever since - he fought back. Despite fears he might never speak or swallow independently again, he regained both.

When the tumour returned nine months later, Harry faced further major treatment, including specialist proton beam therapy.

Just days before it began, he lost his dad. At only six years old, he endured weeks of intensive therapy while carrying unimaginable grief - a resilience that has defined his journey ever since.

22 Harry's Story

Repeated scans and surgeries have been essential in keeping Harry safe, allowing doctors to detect changes early and act fast. Now 10, he still attends regular appointments at Alder Hey, where he is known as much for his quick wit as for his determination. He fills his time with comic-strip drawings, Marvel films and

loyal support for his beloved Everton, all whilst thriving at school and refusing to let hospital visits define him.

Thanks to continued support for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, we are able to make a difference for more children like Harry, such as through our Every Second Counts appeal, which last year raised £955,000 to fund the purchase of an innovative spectral CT scanner, which will become the first of its kind to be used in a children’s hospital later this year.

Charitable support like this makes such a difference to children like Harry, and we are grateful to all our supporters who help make it possible.

“

Thanks to continued support for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, we are able to make a difference for more children like Harry

”

Harry's Story 23

TOUR DE MÔN WHERE: Anglesey (start and finish in Holyhead) WHEN: Sunday August 23rd 2026 REGISTRATION: Free MINIMUM FUNDRAISING: £200 (includes

one of our amazing Alder Hey cycling tops)

Join Team Alder Hey for the breathtaking Tour de Môn, Anglesey and cycle through some of the UK’s most stunning coastal scenery, all while making a meaningful difference for the children and families we care for.

Saddle up and ride with purpose.

LET’S MAKE EVERY MILE COUNT!

Experience some of the most picturesque countryside and coastal roads and pit yourself against the clock on the 'Flying Mile' held at RAF Valley runway giving you the unique opportunity of cycling uninterrupted on a closed road section like no other!

With four distances to choose from (3.5 miles / 46 miles / 77 miles / 106 miles) this is a friendly ride with cyclists of all ages and abilities coming together to take on the challenge.

Whether you’re taking on your first big ride or chasing a new personal challenge, every mile you pedal helps fund groundbreaking research, cuttingedge equipment, and world-class care at Alder Hey.

If you would like to apply for a free charity place (minimum sponsorship £200) please contact joanne.bartels@alderhey.nhs.uk

24 Tour de Môn

VOLUNTEER WITH ALDER HEY Your Role Help with customer service, sorting donations, using the till, and supporting shop displays and campaigns.

Why Volunteer?

Gain experience, build confidence, and make a real impact. No experience needed, training provided.

We're looking for...

Friendly, reliable team players who want to learn and support a great cause.

CONTACT US

Visit www.alderheycharity.org, email info@alderheycharity.org, or call 0151 252 5716 to start your volunteer journey.

Volunteer with Alder Hey 25

CHRISTMAS WRAP UP Christmas is the most magical time at Alder Hey. Whilst no-one wants to be in hospital over the Christmas period, especially children, our staff and supporters always go the extra mile to ensure the hospital is as fun and festive as possible.

Our friends at In Demand Radio created Christmas joy in the form of Crackers For Christmas, a Christmas single that not only raised a fabulously festive £7,000 but also featured cameo roles for a number of Alder Hey Charity Staff and a very special performance with the Alder Hey Volunteer Choir in the hospital atrium.

Michelle and Ian Lever decorated their house over the Christmas period and were visited by the Grinch! There was nothing Grinchlike with the £283.87 raised to help put a smile on patients’ faces.

Our Letters from Santa brought the magic of Christmas to hundreds of children with a personalised letter from Santa, raising £20,000 to help make Christmas at Alder Hey special.

26 Christmas Wrap Up

The Liverpool Scooter Club have been visiting Alder Hey to drop off presents and donations for over 10 years. This year, along with hundreds of presents they donated £613 bringing their total donations to £12,500 over the past decade.

SANTA PADDLE LIGHTS UP THE ALBERT DOCK

After spotting a poster for our Santa Paddle event in the hospital following an appointment, 8-year-old Esme Preston immediately told her grandad that she needed a two-man canoe, some Christmas lights and a Santa outfit!

Esme, who has juvenile idiopathic arthritis has been treated at Alder Hey for over five years.

Luckily Andy, Esme’s Grandad was on board straight away and in November, along with 40 other boats Esme and Andy braved the winter weather and paddled from the Liverpool Watersports Centre to the iconic Albert Dock lit up in their decorated kayak for the presents very firstTheSanta Paddle.

Jointo us forHome this amazing festive event at the iconic Albert Dock.

Thank you Bargains, Liverpool Book your kayak now!

Watersports Centre, The Albert Dock, 29th November Floating Grace, Saturday Liverpool Marina, 2.5km paddle Harbourside Sea School, Make Noise Choir and the Canal River Trust for making the first Santa Paddle so special and for helping to raise over £24,000.

THIS YEAR’S DATE IS NOW LOCKED IN FOR SATURDAY 28TH NOVEMBER SO WHY NOT JOIN US FOR THIS CHRISTMAS CRACKER OF A CHALLENGE.

To register for the 2026 Santa Paddle visit www.alderheycharity.org/event/santa-paddle

CHARITY NUMBER: 1160661

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TICKETS!

Santa Paddle lights up the Albert Dock 27

CO M MUNI T Y B U S I N ES S We’re incredibly grateful for all the amazing fundraising and support from businesses in our local communities. From office fundraising and events to sponsorship and charity of the year partnerships – every penny helps us to provide world-class care and support for our patients and their families.

Amey UK chose Alder Hey as one of their Charities of the Year for 2025, not only raising £1,000 but also utilising their staff social impact days by volunteering in our Old Swan Shop.

The Network Space Social Committee raised an incredible £3,386 through various fundraising events including a 23km trek and Festive Darts which Network Space kindly matched to take the total to £6,772.

Lyons Holiday Park in Rhyl raised a roaring £4,000 from a charity evening.

Humdinger foods took part in a number of office fundraising events this year and raised a humdinging £2,036.

28 Community Business

Rudy’s Pizza in Castle Street hosted a morning of pizza making and tasting for some of our young Ambassadors and patients.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP Every year we put on amazing events for our supporters to get involved in. Many of these events wouldn’t be possible without our amazing headline sponsors.

Thank you to our friends at Applied Nutrition for their continued support. Having sponsored our Coniston Challenge for the past few years we are delighted to announce that they will be sponsoring our brand new team triathlon in Eryri (Snowdonia) The Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Challenge in 2026 (see page 16).

Our annual Oli’s Safari Walk will be sponsored this year

by Arnold Clark. They will also be providing the Charity with a fully branded van to use at our events so keep your eyes peeled for it and give us a wave!

Our very first Mascot Grand National has a very special sponsor for 2026. Golden Bear Toys are sponsoring the event in memory of their co-founder John Hales. John founded the company in 1979 and was a friend of Alder Hey for many years before he sadly died in January 2025.

Probably best known for owning racehorses, his Grand National Winner Neptune Collonges still visits Alder Hey every year during the Grand National Festival and never fails to put a huge smile on the faces of patients and staff alike.

We have a few remaining sponsorship opportunities for events in 2026 including our virtual challenges. If you are interested in becoming an Alder Hey event sponsor please drop us an email at community@alderheycharity.org and we’ll send you details.

Community Business 29

CHILDREN’S CHARITY Reg Charity No. 1160661

We love hearing about why our supporters run and about what, or who, inspires them – whether it be their first 5K or 250th ultramarathon.

Throughout December Harry Thomas ran the number of kilometres matching the date, starting with 1km on the 1st building up to 25km on Christmas Day. He ran 325km in total over 25 days and raised an amazing £1,500.

Harry’s inspiration was his nephew Jac who had undergone an operation at Alder Hey last year.

Inspired by his son Rowan who was born with craniosynostosis and underwent major surgery at Alder Hey at just 6 months old, Jim Anthony completed an incredible 12 running challenges in 12 months.

Jim decided to take on his mammoth year of running challenges to celebrate Rowan’s 10th birthday and raised an epic £3,225 in the process.

30 Why I Run

James Watson ran 325 miles in 25 days – that’s a half marathon every day, inspired by the memory of his close friend Puddy who sadly passed away in December 2024.

James wanted to turn a difficult time into something positive and exceeded all of his expectations raising an incredible £6,078.

DISTANCE RUNNING IS BOOMING AND WE ARE HERE FOR IT! Alder Hey Children’s Charity have places for a variety of distance running events both at home and overseas including the SuperHalfs and the World Marathon Majors.

WORLD MARATHON MA JORS

• London • Sydney • Tokyo

• Berlin • Chicago

SUPERHALFS

To secure your place in our running team please visit www.alderheycharity.org/events or email community@alderheycharity.org UK EVENTS

• Prague • Berlin • Copenhagen

• Lisbon • Cardiff • Valencia

OT H E R I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A R AT H O N S

• Liverpool Half Marathon • Manchester Marathon – Manchester Half Marathon – Manchester 10K • London Marathon - London Landmarks Half • Great North Run • Chester Marathon - Chester Half

• Barcelona • Rome • Copenhagen

• Dublin • Lisbon • Paris Why I Run 31

THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME, FOR ALDER HEY CHILDREN’S CHARITY

KILIMANJARO

Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world 16th – 26th SEPTEMBER 2027

0151 252 5716 COMMUNITY@ALDERHEYCHARITY.ORG

WWW.ALDERHEYCHARITY.ORG

REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1160661