INSPIRED MAGAZINE #17

Inside Issue 17...

3

Charity Ambassador spotlight

4

Thank you to all our fabulous supporters

6

Mila’s Story

8

London to Amsterdam... by bike!

10 How your support has

made a difference

12

Inspired voices

13

Charity team update

14

Rosie's Story

16

Vietnam to Cambodia Cycling Challenge

17

Charity Champion Beth Tweddle conquers Coniston

18

Baby boom!

19

Community Business

20 MediCinema is open!

22 Join the Alder Hey

Running Club

23 Running events 24 Oli's Safari Walk 25 A Lasting Legacy 26 Walking for Emmy in the Himalayas 28 Coming soon...

H E L L O & WELCOME TO

Our guest editor for this 17th Edition of Inspired is the fabulous Bonnie.

If you have been into our Charity Shop/Office in the Hospital Atrium recently you may well have met Bonnie.

You wouldn’t forget her as she has the most amazing ability to make you feel great and to put a smile on your face.

I served patients, families, and visitors in our Atrium Shop which included working on the till, receiving donations, helping customers and making sure the shop looked good.

Hi, My name is Bonnie and I’m delighted to be the guest editor for this edition of Inspired.

I am a student at Greenbank College in Liverpool. I love working out and drawing – especially flowers. I have recently completed a supported internship in the Alder Hey Charity Office at the hospital.

My favourite part of the job was the customer service side as I love to make customers happy and to make the people around me smile.

In the future, I’d love to work at Alder Hey, to have my own independence, and to make those around me feel happy.

I hope you enjoy Inspired, Bonnie

29 Abseil for Alder Hey 30 Peaky Striders 31 Fundraising Events 32 Coniston Challenge

Front cover features Rhian Lidford and Laura Taylor in the Annapurna Mountain Range, Nepal (see pages 26/7)

CHARITY AMBASSADOR

SPOTLIGHT

Huzaifah Valli is one of our longest serving young Ambassadors at Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

Now 21, Huzaifah has been a Young Ambassador since December 2014 when he was a cardiac patient.

“Alder Hey means a lot to me, it’s a home away from home and the love and care I feel there is just something else. The care is amazing and the staff mean so much to me. Without the care and love I received from Alder Hey I would not be the person I am today.”

“The staff and their care kept me going, making sure that I’m forever happy and smiling. Making my dreams come true.

Thank you to all the staff at Alder Hey for the love and support always”.

Huzaifah graduated from the University of Lancashire as a building surveyor last year and is now working in this field.

CONGRATUL ATIONS TO OUR YOUNG AMBASSADORS Theo Graham for winning the Pride of Formby: Special Young Person of the Year Award

Lewis Connett for his amazing Wellchild ITV This Morning Special Recognition Award.

Alba GarciaButler who won a Young Heart Hero Award in London on her 7th birthday.

Jess Weaver for being awarded The British Citizen Youth Award - Medal of Honour (BCyA)

Charity Ambassador spotlight 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

Pamela Griffiths created, painted and sold Christmas cards for the fifth year running, inspired by her 5-year-old niece Lexi. She raised a brilliant £156.55.

‘Super fans’ Sue and Amelia love a bit of Alder Hey merch (available in our Atrium shop and online at www.alderheycharity. org). Their friend made these amazing cushions out of one of our Alder Hey Charity sweatshirts especially for them.

Spennymoor Town FC supported Alder Hey at their match vs Southport in August, supporters of both clubs collectively donated a massive £2,260.

Carleton House Prep School raised an incredible £13,785.70 for our new MediCinema.

4 Thank you to all our fabulous supporters

Ginger hospitality held a PJ Day and bake sales in October, creatively sharing their fundraising on their socials and raising £571.01.

OUS SUPPORTERS x Superstar fundraising Ambassador Mila raised an incredible £674 by asking for donations in lieu of 7th birthday presents . Her mum, Martina also took part in our Miles for Smiles virtual challenge raising an additional £135.

Lucy and daughter Maisie, from Scotland, took part in our virtual Miles for Smiles Challenge in October raising an incredible £1,760. Maisie’s brother is currently taking part in a research project at Alder Hey.

We’ve recently teamed up with Big Yellow and our supporters can now get discount on storage…

Big Yellow are proud to help Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

The Scouse Amigos regularly organise events and ride outs to spread positivity and their Charity Night raised a fabulous £575.

Motivated by the care that his sister received on the Burns Unit at Alder Hey, 11 year old Charlie Sheen ran 75 miles in 15 days and raised a remarkable £6,017.

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Alder Hey Children’s Charity supporters get 50% off storage for up to eight weeks and an extra 10% off for as long as they stay*.

Scan this QR code for a quote.

*Terms & Conditions apply.

Thank you to all our fabulous supporters 5

MILA'S STORY

7-year-old Mila is a familiar face to many at Alder Hey, with her insatiable optimism and personality capturing the hearts of everyone at the hospital who meets her.

This optimism is made all the more inspiring thanks to her Alder Hey story.

When Mila was one her mum Martina took her to the doctors after she had been struggling to sleep, not eating much and having difficulty sitting up. After being transferred from Arrowe Park Hospital to Alder Hey, Mila was diagnosed with a large malignant brain tumour. After spending a few nights in Ward 4A, she underwent a 12hour brain surgery performed by Mr. Connor Malucci and his team. After surgery and a few nights in the PICU, Mila returned to Ward 4A to recover from her brain surgery.

Mila was then moved to Ward 3B, where she began chemotherapy treatment followed by a stem cell transplant. During this treatment period, she and her family spent more than a year in the hospital and underwent many sessions of 6 Mila’s Story

physiotherapy to recover her mobility, which was affected by the tumour. She was supported by an occupational therapy team

to work on fine motor skills, an audiology team, an orthopaedic team, play specialists, and many others, including the Arts for Health team, who made her days easier during treatment.

Mila still visits Alder Hey for check-ups and is well-known to many people here. During one of her visits, she told her mum that she wanted to do something to help all the children who need to stay in hospital. That’s when her family decided to start raising money and supporting Alder Hey. Mila has been asking for donations for her birthdays instead of gifts and has participated in many Alder Hey events like the Oli Safari Walk, Jolly Oli Christmas Concert and Santa Dash. Recently, she was also invited to a special ambassador screening at our newly opened MediCinema, where she expressed her happiness that children at Alder Hey like her will be able to watch films on the big screen during their stay.

Mila’s mum, Martina said:

“

I can’t ever find enough words to thank Alder Hey and all its staff. They have done nothing less than save my precious girl’s life! Mila is now the happiest and chattiest 7-year-old girl you could meet, and she will steal a smile from you even if she doesn’t know you.

”

Outside of hospital, Mila loves eating her favourite food of strawberries and travelling around the world to visit family and friends.

When she grows up, she would like to be a singer and has started working hard on singing lessons. We’re sure that she will soon be bringing her joy and optimism to millions around the world with her music!

Mila's Story 7

LONDON TO AMSTERDAM...

BY BIKE! Starting the 4-day challenge in Croydon, South London, over 90 fundraisers pedalled the 85 (hilly!) miles of Day One to Dover where we caught the ferry to Calais.

Day two took us 80 miles, through Dunkirk, into Belgium and on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bruges. Famous for its canals, Bruges is often referred to as “Venice of the North” and it was a welcome sight for sore legs and bottoms despite us leaving the hills behind in the UK! On day three we crossed the border into the Netherlands and headed 90 miles to the wonderful historic city of Breda to prepare for our final day and a last 80-mile push to Amsterdam via Rotterdam, windmills and the occasional football stadium!

The sun shone in the cycling capital of the world as we crossed the finish line outside the iconic Rijksmuseum and, adorned with our medals, held our bikes aloft over our heads in celebration!

Thank you to our amazing Alder Hey cyclists who raised £91,000!

8 London to Amsterdam... by bike!

Following the success of our London to Paris bike ride in 2022 we joined forces again with five Children’s Hospital Charities in June, this time covering 340 miles, through four countries from London to Amsterdam.

FREE PLACES AVAILABLE

ANGLESEY TOUR DE MON Sunday 17th August 2025 Boasting possibly the most beautiful coastline in the whole of the UK, this cycle sportive takes you around the beautiful island of Anglesey.

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!

If you fancy getting on your bike for Alder Hey and getting one of our fabulous cycling tops free why not sign up for the Tour de Mon on Anglesey or join us on our 2026 challenge to cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia (see page 16).

There’s a distance for all the family (3.5, 46, 77 and 106 miles) Sign up here www.alderheycharity.org/ tour-de-mon or contact joanne.bartels@alderhey.nhs.uk for more details

HOW YOUR SUPPORT HAS

MADE A DIFFERENCE NEONATAL SURGICAL ICU

£225,000 was allocated to fund the role of a Haemato-oncology research fellow over the next three years to support vital and pioneering research activity in the Oncology department.

MINI MOUTH CARE MATTERS PROJECT

2024 CHRISTMAS GROTTO & CHRISTMAS ACTIVITES

£1,500 was provided to fund the 2024 Christmas Grotto and to support Christmas activities for children and young people, which made a difference every day for children in hospital during the festive period.

In October, £18,717 was provided to fund the continuation of the Mini Mouth Care Matters project, a national project that aims to empower medical professionals to take ownership of the oral health of any paediatric inpatient with a hospital stay of more than 24 hours.

GRIPABLES - A HAND REHABILITATION DEVICE

£1,663 was used to facilitate the purchase of two GripAbles, an advanced sensorbased device for hand rehabilitation which assists restoring hand movement for both inpatients and outpatients.

Equipment 10 How your support has made a difference

Magic

Innovation & Education

Research

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 lifechanging magical experiences, here a just a few of the ways that you have made a difference in the last six months: PIONEERING AI

£148,629 of supporter donations were used to develop pioneering AI to improve patient experience through increased turnaround times for letters, better and more detailed clinic communications and reduced admin times for clinicians resulting in and a swifter experience and less wait times for patients.

DEDICATED THERAPEUTIC SPACE

Thanks to the support of donors, £2,200 was able to support the provision of a dedicated therapeutic space on Ward 4C. This gives children and young people the environment to have time away from their rooms whilst still being monitored by medical staff.

THE PARENT CHAMPION IN THE COMMUNIT Y PROJECT

£122,731 was allocated to extend the Parent Champion program for a further 12 months. The Parent Champion in the Community Project was developed to provide peer support for families in deprived areas of the city where babies are most at risk of having severe bronchiolitis, of which the rates in Liverpool are twice the national average.

HEALTHY MINDS VR HEADSETS

£10,780 was allocated to purchase a pair of Healthy Minds VR headsets, a multi-beneficial headset which allows for quick and seamless escape into the world of virtual reality. This provides some much-needed distraction and relief for our patients and can aid in their care and recovery.

How your support has made a difference 11

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Every week Cath & Adam meet some of Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s most inspirational supporters and discover how and why they take on their amazing fundraising challenges.

Inspired Voices is available to listen to on all streaming platforms.

12 Inspired voices

VOICES Our new podcast series Inspired Voices launched in January.

Scan the QR code to watch the podcasts on YouTube.

CHARIT Y TEAM UPDATE

SAY HELL O TO OUR NEW TEAM MEMB ERS…

HELEN RETIRES After 20 years of Community Fundraising at Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Helen Hughes (our Nellie) retired in October.

Many of you will know Helen from the events she ran over the years including Alternative Ascot, Oli’s Safari Walk and the Coniston Challenge.

We wish Helen a long and happy retirement xx

Adam Challoner Philanthropy Fundraiser

Hiba Ali Grants Assistant

Helen Murray Philanthropy Support Lead

Kirsty Purnell Individual Giving and Legacy Fundraiser Joanne Bartels Running & Challenge Fundraiser Ife Babatunde Operations & People Support Officer

Nicola Williams Operations & People Manager

Emily Martin Operations and People Team Leader

Charity team update 13

Nine-year-old Rosie saw some of the very best that Alder Hey has to offer when she unexpectedly spent time in hospital just before Christmas. After feeling unwell and dehydrated, Rosie was admitted to Alder Hey where she was cared for by the team on Ward 4C. During her time at Alder Hey Rosie was visited by numerous, artists, musicians, and entertainers from our nationally renowned Arts for Health programme, who work to ensure that children and young people at Alder Hey have access to enriching and entertaining arts and culture opportunities whilst in hospital. These opportunities help to alleviate boredom and aid in recovery and recuperation.

Rosie said:

Being creative made me feel really happy and it helped me to stop being in pain a lot and stopped me thinking about it. It’s not that bad in hospital because they have lots of things going on to help you feel your best and the art and music was very cool.

14 Rosie's Story

Rosie’s mum, Katie, said:

“

We unexpectedly ended up staying in hospital right before Christmas, a time when Rosie was really looking forward to many fun things at school with her friends. The artists, nurses and staff are all so skilled in what they do and really know what Rosie needs in the moment, from cheering up to calming down and helping her to not feel scared. They all really help her and when she is being creative, I can see her anxiety, illness and sadness melt away, its priceless.

“

ROSIE'S STORY

The Arts for Health programme at Alder Hey is funded thanks to kind donations, grants and support from our amazing donors and partners. Vicky Charnock, Arts Manager at Alder Hey, said: “Thanks to the incredible support from donors the Arts for Health programme is able to deliver hundreds of sessions to thousands of children and young people across Alder Hey every year, with every session providing valuable creative respite and expression for patients at the hospital.”

The difference that Alder Hey has made for Rosie has touched her whole family, her Grandma Vivien said: “I’d like to give my heartfelt thanksOur to everyone at Alder team is growing 15 Hey

who has helped Rosie. Watching her with the incredible nurses and the artists who spend time with her has been incredible and really made Rosie’s time in hospital a much more upbeat experience. As a mum and a grandma I’ve seen the benefits to both Rosie and her mum in a really difficult time.”

Thanks to the care of Alder Hey, Rosie is now home and back doing the things she loves. Outside of hospital, Rosie loves drama and acting, as well as gardening with her Grandma Vivien. She also enjoys playing football and supporting her favourite team, Everton. When she grows up she wants to be an explorer, an archaeologist, an actor and a goalkeeper – what a variety!

Rosie's Story 15

16 Vietnam to Cambodia Cycling Challenge

C H A R I T Y

C H A M P I O N

B E T H

T W E D D L E

CONQUERS CONISTON

Last July, our Coniston Challenge returned for another incredible event, with participants including our very own Charity Champion and Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, who is no stranger to an Alder Hey challenge.

Our triathlon with a twist, saw families, friends and colleagues come together for this one-day challenge.

Participants put their physical prowess to the test with a 15km bike ride through stunning countryside, followed by an 11.8km hike to the summit of one of the Lake District’s most iconic peaks, Old Man of Coniston, before wrapping up with a 3km canoe on Coniston Water.

We caught up with Beth to find out about her Coniston Challenge experience.

What inspired you to take part in the challenge? I was looking for a challenge to do with friends. In fact, my

husband spotted the event and suggested to a group of us that we get involved.

It looked like great fun and something we could make a weekend out of, so we signed up. It was a real bonus that the money we raised went to a charity that I love supporting.

What did you enjoy most about the event? I think the main thing was the fact it had variety, so being able to do the bike ride, a kayak and a hike. When looking at it, it was achievable with some training and you could do it in teams and stick together if you had more than one team.

Of the three activities, which one did you find most challenging? The bike ride was undoubtedly the hardest part of the challenge, so I am glad we had that element first. If I were to ever do the challenge again, I would definitely do more training on hills as I hadn't anticipated quite such a steep ride.

How did the Coniston Challenge compare to your 2013 skydive for Alder Hey? Very different! I think 2013, had the fear factor. I mean jumping out of a plane isn't a normal everyday experience for most people, but it didn't have the element of training

behind it. Coniston Challenge was harder in the fact that it took me just under 8 hours from start to finish, including breaks etc.

For anyone thinking about signing up for an Alder Hey challenge, what advice would you give? Find something to do with friends and give it a go. When the going gets tough on a challenge, the fact you always have a reminder of why you are doing is what makes you push on, knowing that people have sponsored you and that the money raised will go to such an important cause. Alder Hey is an incredible place that supports so many children and their families. All the funds raised truly do make such a difference to a family during that time.

If Beth has inspired you to sign up for one of our upcoming challenges, visit the events page on our website to look at our calendar of events.

We’d like to thank Beth for her amazing support as a Charity Champion over the last ten years. To find out more about our Charity Champions, including Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas and former Liverpool Football Club player Jamie Carragher, please visit our website.

Charity Champion Beth Tweddle conquers Coniston 17

ANDREA & ERIN

ADAM & EZRA

BABY BOOM! Our Charity team have been busy creating tiny fundraisers recently. Congratulations to you all and welcome to the Alder Hey Family!

LAUREN & ARABELLA 18 Baby boom

SARAH & PIPPA

S P O N S O R

S P O T L I G H T

COMMUNITY BUSINESS For the past three years Applied Nutrition have sponsored a number of our events including the Coniston Challenge, Snowdon at Night and Oli’s Safari Walk.

In 2025 they are our headline sponsors for The Coniston Challenge and Snowdon at Night.

This amazing support has not only helped us to create fantastic events but also ensures that we are able to better support the hospital by raising more funds.

The team at Applied Nutrition provide us with financial support, gifts in kind including protein bars, energy gels and drinks for our running and challenge participants, and their staff also step up and participate in the events.

Thank you!

We have numerous opportunities for businesses to sponsor our events including: • Oli’s Safari Walk • Santa Paddle • Mascot Grand National • Virtual Challenges If your company is interested in getting involved in any of our events, or you would like further information please contact community@alderheycharity.org

Community Business 19

M E D I C I N E M A

I S

OPEN!

Alder Hey Children’s Charity is delighted that after 12 months of planning, fundraising, building and fitting, the charity funded MediCinema inside Alder Hey is now open for children, young people and their families to enjoy.

The cinema, which officially opened in late November with a UK and Europe premiere of Disney’s Moana 2, has been in the works for over a year after our MediCinema Appeal, which launched ahead of Christmas 2023.

The Appeal raised nearly £200,000 to secure the funding of the cinema’s running costs for the next two years, with further fundraising ongoing. The build has been financed in partnership with the charity MediCinema, and thanks to the 20 MediCinema is open!

generous support of numerous Trusts and Foundations it now captures the wonder and imagination of patients and their families.

Before the cinema officially opened its doors, we were lucky enough to host an exclusive screening for a selection of Alder Hey Children’s Charity fundraising ambassadors. The group of 12 inspiring fundraisers and their families joined us for a screening of the hit film Paddington in Peru, with everyone having a wonderful time and relishing in the red-carpet treatment.

Emma, whose son Theo attended the event said:

“

It was absolutely amazing. We felt like we were at our local cinema rather than a hospital. I can only imagine the difference this will make to long-term patients, as it would have certainly made a difference during our stay.

”

The children also echoed these sentiments, commenting on how exciting it was to see a film on the big screen in a hospital setting, with eight-year-old Jack remarking “I forgot I was in Alder Hey”, before going on to say that “whoever came up with this idea is the smartest person in the world.”

Laura Smith, MediCinema Manager at Alder Hey said:

“

What an incredible day! I think it is clear to see for everyone here at Alder Hey, what a transformative impact the MediCinema is going to have for families here. I am so privileged to hold the role of MediCinema Manager here at Alder Hey, and I know that in the weeks, months, and years to come, we will be able to make incredible memories with families.

They deserve a break; they deserve some normality.

Their time together in the cinema is precious, and it's an honour to be able to show the latest releases so that despite the children being in hospital, they get to see the same films as any other child in a stateof-the-art cinema.

”

Seeing the smiles and joy on the faces of all our ambassadors and their families is proof of just how impactful this facility will be at Alder Hey for years to come.

Many of the ambassadors who attended have fundraised for our MediCinema Appeal, and we cannot thank them and every single person, company and group who have and continue to fundraise for our appeal. We could not create these magical moments without your support.

MediCinema is open! 21

JOIN THE ALDER HEY RUNNING CLUB EXPERIENCED RUNNER? FIRST TIMER? SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN?

Whatever your level, join our dedicated community for running enthusiasts and supporters putting on trainers for the very first time. Join our group on Facebook (Alder Hey Running Club) for offers, competitions, top tips and early access for our charity places. It’s also a great place to share your stories and your running exploits within a safe and supportive community.

22 Join the Alder Hey Running Club

Scan the QR code to join our Facebook Running Group

WE HAVE CHARIT Y PL ACES AVAIL ABLE AT A WIDE VARIET Y OF RUNNING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE UK AND FURTHER AFIELD:

ANGLESEY TRAIL HALF MARATHON & 10K 9th November 2025

Free places available

LONDON SOLD LANDMARKS OUT! HALF MARATHON 6th April 2025 Register your interest for 2026) CHESTER HALF MARATHON 18th May 2025 GREAT NORTH RUN 7th September 2025 Register your interest for 2026

SOLD OUT!

BERLIN MARATHON 21st September 2025

Enjoy the stunning Anglesey coast and beautiful surroundings of Newborough Forest

NEW YORK MARATHON 2nd November 2025

LONDON MARATHON We have places for the 2026 London Marathon!

To register your interest visit our website the event pages at www.alderheycharity.org To find a running event for you please visit: www.alderheycharity.org/tag/ running-events Or for more details contact: joanne.bartels@alderhey.nhs.uk

Scott Keenan successfully completed the New York marathon last November raising an amazing £1500. Scott ran to say a big thank you to all the doctors and nurses at Alder Hey who looked after his little nephew.

Running events 23

24 Oli's Safari Walk

A L ASTING

LEGACY

During her lifetime, Audrey Griffiths experienced the magic of Alder Hey on two occasions.

Her daughter, Elizabeth, was admitted to Alder Hey as a toddler and successfully overcame a health issue.

Years later, Madog, the son of a AUDREY close family friend was diagnosed with leukaemia aged two. Madog, now a teenager, was successfully treated at Alder Hey, and at the time of Audrey’s passing in early 2020, he was in remission and now attends the hospital for check-ups twice a year.

It was these experiences that influenced Audrey’s decision to leave a gift in her Will to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

Elizabeth recalls: “My mother was a remarkable person who is much missed by me and so many others whose lives she touched. She thought carefully about her legacies and wanted to acknowledge the role placed by clinicians at Alder Hey in helping not only our family but also in their support of Madog and his family.

Audrey sadly passed away in January 2020 aged 98, but her legacy lives on in the happy, healthy futures her gift is helping to secure at Alder Hey.

AUDREY’S IMPACT Audrey’s kindness is helping to bring life-changing arts and culture activities to children and young people at Alder Hey. Legacy donations like Audrey’s fund the Arts Manager post, held by Vicky Charnock. here at Alder Hey. Vicky has been delivering our Arts for Health programme to children and young people at the hospital for over 18 years and has seen it grow from a small start-up programme to a project that has gained national recognition, working with various partners from across the arts sector.

Vicky said “Working at Alder Hey has opened my eyes on how art can make a difference to people during their most difficult moments. Over the last 18 years I have seen thousands of lives be made a little bit brighter thanks to art intervention. Despite having the opportunity to be around incredible pieces of art during my previous role at Tate, I think what I do now is more impactful because it genuinely changes lives and I can see that on the faces of patients and their families every day.”

A Lasting Legacy 25

WALKING FOR EMMY IN THE HIMALAYAS 38 year old Laura Taylor has been coming regularly to Alder Hey for 14 years since daughter Emmy was badly burned in a caravan fire when she was two years old.

The fire, in June 2011, which tragically claimed the lives of Emmy’s grandad and uncle, resulted in Emmy suffering third degree burns over 65% of her body.

Rescued by the fire brigade, Emmy was taken initially to Bangor hospital by police helicopter. Too poorly then to be transferred by air ambulance, Emmy was brought to Alder Hey by the North West and North Wales Transport Service ICU ambulance where she went straight into theatre for the first of over 300 operations.

Those first hours were incredibly difficult for Laura and her family as they waited for Emmy to pull through. She then spent eight weeks in ICU before being transferred to the bespoke Burns Unit where she spent a further three months before finally going

back home in October together with her younger brother Kian who was just six months old and who had stayed at Alder Hey with the family.

For the next couple of years Emmy came to Alder Hey every couple of days and, now 16 years old, she still has regular appointments, ongoing treatment and surgeries.

The Burns Unit staff are amazing! Emmy has had the same consultant, Sian, from the beginning.

(Mum, Laura)

26 Walking for Emmy in the Himalayas

Whilst attending one of their many appointments for Emmy, Laura saw a poster advertising the Alder Hey Charity Nepal Himalaya Trek.

Laura explained:

I always need a challenge in my life and wanted to raise money for Alder Hey to thank them for their amazing care over the past 14 years.

On returning home to North Wales and telling her mum, Rhian, Laura was surprised when Rhian declared that she was thinking of doing the challenge with her.

True to her word Rhian signed up for the challenge with Laura and together with Luna the dog started to train and fundraise for the challenge of a lifetime.

If you’ve been Inspired by Emmy, Laura and Rhian to step out of your comfort zone and to sign up for the challenge of a lifetime why not join us for our Great Wall of China Trek in October 2025 or our Vietnam to Cambodia Cycle Challenge in 2026.

In October both Rhian and Laura completed the incredible six-day trek through the Annapurna Range in the Nepalese Himalayas. Along with the wider Alder Hey group they raised an incredible £75,000 which will help Alder Hey make a real difference to the lives of patients and families treated at Alder Hey. Emmy is now a typical 16-year-old. She enjoys shopping, Nando’s, paddle boarding and watching Crewe Alexandra FC and Crewe Alexandra under 14’s where brother Kian is a centre forward.

Having completed her GCSE’s last year Emmy is currently studying Health and Social Care at Deeside College and having been inspired by her time at Alder Hey and the nursing and clinical staff that have looked after her, Emmy aims to become a paediatric nurse.

FOR DETAILS OF BOTH CHALLENGES VISIT www.alderheycharity.org/events OR EMAIL

adam.dixon@alderhey.nhs.uk for details.

Walking for Emmy in the Himalayas 27

C O M I N G

S O O N . . .

THE MASCOT GRAND NATIONAL

S AV E

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D AT E

S U N DAY 26TH O CTO BE R, AI N T R E E RACECO URS E

• Does your company, school, sports club have its own mascot?

• No mascot? No problem, you can pick from our ‘stable’ of mascots!

Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s very own mascot, Oli the elephant, invites you to be part of this fantastic occasion and challenges you to beat him over the Aintree hurdles to be crowned Mascot Grand National champion.

For further information and to register your interest please drop the team a message at community@alderheycharity.org

SAT UR DAY 29T H N OVE M B E R

Bringing the festive spirit to the waters of the Albert Dock, the Alder Hey Santa Paddle is a 2km sponsored kayak starting and finishing at the Liverpool Watersports Centre at Liverpool’s Queens Dock.

Single, double and quadruple kayaks are available. Prizes will be awarded to the ‘best dressed/decorated’ kayaks and festive attire will be encouraged.

For further information and to register your interest please drop the team a message at community@alderheycharity.org

28 Coming soon... Save the date

THE SANTA PADDLE

AB S E I L L I V E RP O O L’S ICO NIC A NGLICAN CATHE DRAL

SATURDAY 26TH JULY REGISTRATION £50 | MIN SPONSORSHIP £200

Abseil for Alder Hey 29

PEAKY STRIDERS The family and friends of Alfie Holbrook raised an incredible £8,609 by completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge in Alfie’s memory.

Alfie was under the care of Alder Hey but sadly passed away on 21st May last year following a short, rare illness, aged just 14.

7-year-old Lucas Reed also climbed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, a peak a week after school in July. Lucas hiked over 20 miles, climbed 4448ft, spent a total of 7 hours and 32 minutes walking, and raised over £500!

Alfie’s elder brother Jack said “We arranged the challenge to give back to Alder Hey and we committed to covering 16 miles and three mountains within 12 hours.”

“When we started fundraising, we didn’t think we’d get anywhere close to the amount we did! We cannot thank everyone who supported us enough for helping us to honour Alfie’s memory with this incredible donation to a special cause.”

Over 200 Alder Hey supporters enjoyed this fabulous sunrise when they completed our Snowdon at Night Challenge in August. For the chance to witness this amazing view register for the 2025 Snowdon at Night Challenge.

JOIN US ON OUR N E X T SN OWD O N BY N I G H T CH A LLE N GE FO R F UR T H ER IN F O R M AT I O N, S E E D E TAI L S O N O P P O S ITE PAGE 30 Peaky Striders

Fundraising Events 31

Saturday 5th July 2025 Proudly Sponsored by

across k a y a k 3km ers t a W n o t Conis

10km tr Old Man ek up of Conis ton

17km Grizedale Forest mountain bike challenge FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT EMAIL: COMMUNITY@ALDERHEYCHARITY.ORG TELEPHONE: 0151 252 5705 CHARITY NUMBER: 1160661