Tag: Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Open Up Your Heart – Remembering Tom Gilzean

On the 75th Anniversary of VE day, just a few days ahead of what would have been his 100th birthday, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity is asking people to share their remembrances of Tom, and to make a donation in his memory to help the children, families and staff of the Sick Kids hospital.

12 May 2020 marks what would have been the 100th Birthday of one of Edinburgh’s most beloved citizens – Tom Gilzean.

An indomitable spirit, decorated war veteran, and retired bus driver, Tom took up collecting for charity after his wife Anne died, and raised well over £1 million for his chosen charities.

Come rain or shine, he could be found in his bow tie and tartan trews, proudly displaying his medals and asking people to “open up their hearts” for the Sick Kids. When asked why he kept going with his phenomenal fundraising Tom would say, “I just want to help the children and keep them safe.”

When Tom passed away in November 2019, crowds lined Princes Street to witness his funeral cortege, scenes that would be unimaginable today as the centre of Edinburgh lies silent and deserted.

This spring, a host of events had been planned to honour Tom on his 100th birthday. Lockdown is preventing such public celebrations of the life of such an extraordinary man, but his incredible contribution to Edinburgh life should not be allowed to slip by.

While it is impossible to know what Tom would have made of the current situation, his son Douglas said, “I’m sure dad would have tried his best to find a way to help.”

You can email your memories of Tom to hello@echcharity.org, tweet us @echcharity or leave a message with your donation.

Please “open up your heart” and keep Tom’s memory alive by supporting the children and families of the Sick Kids.

Donate now

Thank you.

Edinburgh Charity Delivers Emergency Care Packs to Vulnerable Families Shielding at Home

An Edinburgh children’s charity is delivering emergency care packs to families who have a vulnerable child and are currently shielding at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Last week, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) – which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – began providing free emergency packs of food and essential items to families visiting or being discharged from the hospital.   

Now, the charity has expanded this service and is delivering the free care packs to the homes of clinically vulnerable families who are known to the RHSC and who are currently shielding for an extended period to protect themselves during the pandemic.   

The packs contain food products and essential items including nappies, toilet roll, tinned soup, beans and tea bags to support families while they cannot leave the house to go shopping. 

The charity is also in the process of developing toiletry packs and creative care packs with art supplies to help keep children entertained at home and reduce isolation.  

ECHC is delivering the packs to families’ doorsteps, as well as to nursing bases where community nurses and health visitors are also helping to distribute them. The charity will keep in regular contact with the families throughout their isolation period to meet their needs if they require additional packs.  

Louise Sharkey and partner Graeme have been shielding their 12-year-old son Charlie, who has a rare genetic disorder and epilepsy, and his four-year-old brother Jack at home for over three weeks.  

Louise said: “During this difficult time, ECHC continues to be a well needed support that we are extremely grateful for and have relied on during many hospital admissions over the years. They are at the end of the phone should we need emotional support and are liaising closely with the palliative care team to provide support also.   

“Recently a care pack was dropped off at our house by the charity containing essential supplies that can be difficult to source right now. We have been finding it hard to get deliveries from supermarkets, so we were running low on things like antibacterial hand soap, pasta, toilet rolls, baby wipes and some cereals.

“We are very lucky to have a good family support network who have been providing us with essentials should they be needed but it’s not always easy for them as they don’t live close by.  

“The bag of essential supplies that came from ECHC was extremely useful as it contained extra toilet rolls and baby wipes that we use a lot with Charlie, and cereal. Jack was delighted that it contained some treats too! The charity is a lifeline for many families during hospital stays and at times like these in the community too.”  

ECHC recently launched its COVID-19 Emergency Appeal to help families having to cope with the impact of the outbreak on top of the distress of having a sick or injured child.  

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “Right now, all families are facing the challenges of lockdown. Keeping children fed and happy, and organising shopping trips on top of everything else, becomes even more difficult if you have a sick or injured child in hospital, or if you are returning home from hospital to begin an extended period of shielding or isolation.  

“The incredible NHS staff are working round the clock to make sure every child gets exceptional care throughout the crisis and we at ECHC are doing everything we can to help to reduce fear and isolation and to comfort and support families when they need it most.  

 “These emergency care packs have only been made possible thanks to the kindness of our supporters donating to our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal. We urgently need donations to continue to do this.   

“Times are difficult for all of us, but if anyone would still like to give, donations could provide a family with a much-needed care pack, fund a special play session at a child’s bedside or pay for a mum and dad to stay in our parent accommodation and be close to their child at the toughest of times.”  

To receive a care pack – Families known to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children who would like an emergency care pack are asked to contact Leigh at ECHC on 0131 668 4949 or leigh.drake@echcharity.org. 

 To support ECHC – A donation of £10 could fund an emergency care pack for one family, £15 could fund a special bedside play or creative session and £50 could pay for parents and carers to stay in ECHC’s parent accommodation for one week.

 Donations can be made online at 

https://echcharity.org/support-us/covid-19-appeal 

Charity provides Emergency Supply Packs to Sick Kids’ Hospital

An Edinburgh children’s charity is providing emergency supply packs to support children and families in hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) – which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – has launched an emergency appeal to help families having to cope with the impact of the outbreak on top of the distress of having a sick or injured child.  

The free emergency packs contain non-perishable food products and essential items including nappies, toilet roll, tinned soup, beans and tea bags so parents and carers do not have the additional stress of shopping for their families while their child is in hospital.  

As well as emergency parcels, ECHC is working hard to continue to provide its services to the RHSC during the pandemic. The charity’s hospital shop is staying open to fuel NHS staff over the coming weeks; it has launched a telephone support service to give advice and assurance to families; play specialists continue to provide smiles and distraction while the ward playrooms are closed; and it is continuing to provide parent accommodation so families can stay close to their children during lockdown.  

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “The safety of children, families and NHS staff is our immediate priority. These are unprecedented times for all of us and, just like at home, things are different at the ‘Sick Kids’. Children and families are anxious as the pandemic progresses. 

 “Right now, people may be feeling scared, stressed, isolated from family and friends or worrying how they will keep themselves and their family fed and occupied. Now imagine if you also had a child in hospital. 

“The incredible NHS staff are working round the clock to make sure every child gets exceptional care throughout the crisis and we at ECHC are doing everything we can to help to reduce fear and isolation and to comfort and support families when they need it most.   

“This is why we have launched our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal as we urgently need donations to continue to do this. Times are difficult for all of us, but if anyone would still like to give, donations could provide a family with a much-needed food pack, fund a special play session at a child’s bedside or pay for a mum and dad to stay in our parent accommodation and be close to their child at the toughest of times.”  

A donation of £10 could fund an emergency supply pack for one family, £15 could fund a special bedside play or creative session and £50 could pay for parents and carers to stay in ECHC’s parent accommodation for one week. 

Donations can be made online at https://echcharity.org/support-us/covid-19-appeal 

Brave Mum to tackle fear of water in memory of son who drowned 

The brave mother of Christopher Nelson, who sadly passed away in 2015, is to undertake her biggest challenge yet by getting back in the water for the first time since his death. 

Christopher, 24, tragically drowned after falling into a canal in Amsterdam while on holiday in the city with his fiancé.  

 Now, his mother Donna, 49 – who cannot swim and who has had a great fear of water since his death – is set to swim a 20km relay with friends and family in St Mary’s Loch, where her son’s ashes are scattered.  

Donna, who is currently learning to swim by attending adult swimming lessons with instructor Jen Henderson at Lasswade Centre, said: “I’ve not been in a swimming pool since Christopher died.

“Even when I stand in the shower, I can’t put my face under the water. There hasn’t been a morning in the last four years where I’ve stood in the shower and not thought about what happened to my son. 

“It has taken me weeks to put my face under the water at my swimming lessons. I didn’t understand how quiet it was under there – it makes me think, ‘was it quiet for Christopher?’ I hope this challenge will help me find peace somehow.”  

Donna is fundraising for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – a charity close to the family’s heart.   

She added: “Christopher was a mad sports person as a little boy, so we were on first name terms with the A&E staff at the ‘Sick Kids’ as he had so many sports-related injuries. 

“He was very athletic and used to really inspire me to do things I would never do. He encouraged me to do the Couch to 5K and used to send me music to run to. He was my inspiration for most things in life. He would never believe that I would take swimming lessons, and especially not that I would swim in open water.”  

The grieving mum and her family and friends – also known as ‘’Donna’s Prosecco Posse” or #teamnelson – have so far raised over £30,000 for ECHC by completing a series of fundraising challenges since 2015, including Tough Mudder and a 200-mile cycle.  
 
Although each new challenge is harder than the last, Donna says she channels her son to give her the strength to complete it.  

She said: “When I complete my challenges, I’m always sobbing my eyes out but also have such a sense of relief. Afterwards, I always look up to the sky and say ‘love you son’ and have a moment with him.  

“I couldn’t think of a bigger challenge than this one but I’m doing it for Christopher, so that his legacy and his name will live on forever. By hook or by crook – I will cross the finish line.”  

Rachel Baxter, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at ECHC, said: “We are enormously grateful to be Christopher’s family’s chosen charity. Donna is hugely admirable and inspiring and we wish her the very best of luck with this new challenge.  

“The money they are raising will have a huge impact on the lives of children, young people and their families and make a phenomenal difference during their time in hospital. We cannot thank the family enough for their incredible continued support.”  

Donna and Christopher’s family and friends will be swimming the 20km on Saturday 16th May in St Mary’s Loch, supported by Steven Nelson (no relation) Founder and Manager/Activities Coordinator of Beyond Boundaries East Lothian and volunteers, who have very kindly agreed to be the Water Safety Crew.  

To support Donna and those taking part in the challenge, donations can be made at: https://teamechc.everydayhero.com/uk/donna-s-open-water-swim-challenge 

 

Hibernian players spread festive cheer at Edinburgh Sick Kids

 

Children and young people were treated to a surprise visit from some famous footballing faces when players from Hibernian FC made an unexpected appearance at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Head Coach Jack Ross and his squad spread some festive joy by making their way around the wards to meet with young patients and their families and hand out Christmas gifts.

The visit is organised by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), which supports and complements the RHSC and works hard to make Christmas magical for those visiting the hospital.

Jack Ross said: “I’ve only recently joined the club but I was made aware very quickly what a special date this is in the calendar for everyone involved and we were only too happy to come along.

“While Christmas is obviously a special time of the year it can also be a difficult period for so many so we’ll do anything we can do put a few smiles on faces.

“The players enjoyed meeting the kids and I’d like to thank Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity for helping to make Christmas magical and the staff at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children for the work that they do on a daily basis.

“They’re an inspiration to us all.”

ECHC runs a living advent calendar throughout December, which sees a different door in the hospital opened each day to reveal something special. Some of the other entertainment in store over the Christmas period includes visits from a live pipe band, the Scottish Rugby squad and a performance from the Scottish ballet.

Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at ECHC, said: “The football team visits to the hospital are always a huge hit with the children and young people. Some of the kids are massive football fans and avid supporters of Hibs so it really makes their day to meet their favourite players.

“Christmas is a very special time of year and we work hard to ensure no child or young person misses out on the joy and magic of the festive season. It’s the generosity of our supporters, like the Hibs players, that enables us to do this.”

City businesses urged to help children in hospital this Christmas 

 
Businesses in Edinburgh are being urged to help bring an advent calendar to life for children in hospital this Christmas, so that they don’t miss out on this magical time of year.  

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has launched its Make Christmas Magical appeal – a campaign that will see a different door in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) opened each day of December to reveal something truly special.   Continue reading City businesses urged to help children in hospital this Christmas 

Legal firm raises £62k for Scottish children’s charities with Greatest Showman event

A GREATEST Showman themed fundraising night hosted by one of the country’s top legal firms has generated vital funding for two of the nation’s best-loved children’s charities. Continue reading Legal firm raises £62k for Scottish children’s charities with Greatest Showman event

A message from Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

A message about the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People: 

We are aware that a great number of people, companies and trusts have given us donations towards Edinburgh’s new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, to fund an innovative programme of art and therapeutic design.

We would like to reassure everyone who contributed to the £3.1m that we have provided to the new hospital that these design enhancements are unaffected by the ongoing delays to the opening of the building. Continue reading A message from Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend!

As the trail comes to a close, we’re very excited to be able to share with you the details of Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend!

We are inviting all BIG Bucket Trailers to join us at Edinburgh St Andrew Square over the weekend of 13 – 15 September to help us say cheerio to Scotland’s favourite son before he goes to auction.

This FREE event will run from 9am-8pm on Friday & Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday, with all 60 sculptures gathered in the Square for viewing and a large marquee, showcasing the 89 little Oor Wullies. This will also be your last chance to get your hands on some exclusive Wullie merchandise and we will have plenty of fun activities to keep the wee ones entertained throughout the weekend.

Continue reading Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend!