Brave family find strength in fundraising fun day
A young fundraiser has donated a fantastic £1,150 to Heartlands Hospital’s Children’s ward after receiving treatment for a condition of the brain called encephalitis.
Warren Craythorne's mum, Jacey Ridings, brought Warren to Heartlands after he became increasingly unwell in February 2017. After a few days of scans and investigations doctors diagnosed him with encephalitis, a swelling on both sides of the brain. Warren was fortunate enough to be able to take part in a clinical trial, which would not impact on the other treatment he was receiving. After five days of either receiving treatment or a placebo, Warren began to improve, and even managed to walk out of the hospital, something that they were concerned he would always struggle with. Six months after leaving the hospital, Warren is gaining in strength by playing football, tennis and swimming.
The family, inspired by the excellent treatment Warren received at Heartlands Hospital held a fun day in August 2017. Adults and children were entertained with a Blues Brothers tribute band and bouncy castles.
The cheque was presented to nurses from the Paediatric Research Team, Dr Stephen Welch, Warren's Paediatrician and Sally Scott, High Dependency Unit Sister on 2 October.
Sian Averill, Fundraising Manager at Heartlands Hospital said: “I would like to thank Warren and mum, Jacey for supporting ward 16 at Heartlands. It is so humbling to see patients go on to make a full recovery use that experience to help others. The Charity aims to use donations to purchase equipment, fund research and facilities to provide added extras that are over and above what the NHS can provide.”