Did you know that the Alder Hey Hospital cares for over 275,000 child patients and their families every year? Their life-saving treatments and research are funded by the Alder Hey Children’s Charity, who’ve recently set up a running hub, specifically designed to support individuals who want to undertake sporting events on behalf of the charity.
Daniel’s Story
Alder Hey Children’s Charity Ambassadors are children from all walks of life, who’ve been treated at Alder Hey or are a relative of a patient that has undergone treatment at the hospital. Childhood should be filled with happiness, laughter and fun but when a child becomes ill, children often have to be brave and grow up quickly in order to deal with the difficult time in their life. Alder Hey Children’s Charity wants to support all of the children who come through their doors ~ everything they do is with their patients and their families in mind.
Just ask Daniel Bell, and his mum Rosalind.
Daniel was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was just three years old and was rushed to Alder Hey, which is a centre for excellence on brain conditions. Unbelievably, the tumour was the size of an adult fist and there was a possibility that the surgery that would save his life could also have robbed him of key motor and mobility skills.
Thankfully, his surgeries were successful, thanks to Alder Hey’s state of the art 3-T MRI scanner. The device was paid for by the charity and allows surgeons to scan the brain during surgery and assess the success of the operation in the operating theatre. You may have seen the equipment recently in an episode of Hospital on BBC2, when it was again being used in a life-saving situation.
Daniel is now an active and healthy six year old boy, and a budding actor besides, recently joining his local Performing Arts Club in their production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Daniel also raises money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity; and was proud to be named a Young Ambassador ~ so far, Daniel and his family have raised more than £22,000 for Alder Hey. There are so many fun and exciting ways our fundraisers young and old can help out, from bake sales and charity car washes to exhilarating park runs.
All of our Alder Hey Children’s Charity ambassadors help to raise money for the charity, so that it can continue to provide vital funds to provide life-saving medical equipment and facilities to make a real difference to families every day.
Recently the hospital has installed distraction technology within their wards. This helps to distract attention away from the treatment or medical examinations that need to be carried out by our medical professionals, and entertain young patients with colourful, bright and positive images projected on the walls of the room. This immersive technology helps to transform a white walled ward into a magical world where children can escape from reality and be free from fear and anxiety.
Alder Hey Running Hub
In order to continue to provide innovative solutions such as the distraction technology and provide vital funds for Alder Hey Hospital, the Charity relies on the support and kindness from the public.
Alder Hey Children’s Charity has recently launched a brand-new running hub to inspire and motivate people to run for charity. With delicious recipe ideas, running tips and 5k, 10K, half marathon and marathon running training plans, it’s a great resource for getting motivated and raising vital funds for Alder Hey.