My story

Our aim this year (2012) is to raise more money for Piam Brown, the children’s oncology ward at Southampton General Hospital (where our daughter was treated) by cycling Scotland's notoriously challenging 'Coast2Coast' route that has become one of the most feared 'off-road' expeditions in the UK!
Outline: To cycle from the Loch of Lochalsh on the North West coast of Scotland over the Grampian Mountains to Montrose in the East coast.
Dates: Sunday 16th – Sunday 23rd September 2012
Start: Loch of Lochalsh
Finish: Montrose,
Distance: 270 miles
Duration: 7 days
Format: Very tough and challenging ride, split into day rides of roughly 40/50 miles each, depending upon the terrain....cycling, pushing or carrying!
PIAM BROWN WARD
‘The happiest sad place’.......
“....that’s how a student nurse described Piam Brown ward to me one morning in the ward kitchen as I was making my first cup of tea of the day.
No parent ever wants to see the inside of a children’s cancer ward, but Piam Brown became home from home for us during the eight months of our daughter’s treatment.
Very sick children, from babies to 18 year olds, spend several months on the ward, with visits for follow up continuing for years and years.
Fundraising provides those ‘extras’ that the NHS doesn’t...pull-out beds so exhausted parents can have a decent night’s sleep and be close to their child, computer games, DVDs, books and games for the children and young people, snacks to tempt them when they feel sick, pleasant décor, quiet rooms, kitchen facilities so parents can cook for themselves and their child, and much more besides, helping to make this sad place happy”.
Sarah Collins
Piam Brown Ward is the Regional Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Unit for Wessex, based on the top floor of Southampton general Hospital. Children come from as far afield as Chichester, Brighton, Portsmouth, Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Dorchester, Basingstoke besides Bournemouth, Poole, Eastleigh and Fareham.
We cater for children from a day old to 18 years of age so demand on our resources is huge. We treat all types of cancer of which leukaemia is the most common. Leukaemia accounts for approximately one third of our new patients each year. We receive approximately 90 new families per annum.
The “Team” is multi-disciplinary, led by 3 Consultants, supported by differing grades of doctors in training. Nurses are at different levels in their professions whilst social workers, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, research and data staff, support and play staff all have an equally important role to play.
All monies raised for us are spent to further support all our patients and their families.
Play Room Always an ongoing need to replace and update toys and activities.
School-Room A very important resource, heavily used by all school-aged children Allowance per term is limited so we supplement to meet need. In the evenings and holidays this area is designated for our teenagers.
The Paediatric Outreach Nursing Team support children out in the community, visiting at home and at school. They have responsibility for our palliative care patients and we spend funds as appropriate to meet specific requirements.
Outings Highly motivating and hugely important .We aim to do something with different age groups throughout the year. Teenagers attend Avon Tyrell in the New Forest for a residential weekend and many are offered the opportunity to go sailing during the summer months. Visits to Longleat, Legoland, Paultons ,Marwell, Popham Airshow, Southampton Football Club, and Thomas the Tank Engine events are always fully subscribed! Christmas and Easter are big Family celebrations.
Equipment. Our service is very specialised and expensive to run. Whilst the NHS provides all the basics, the Charity Fund helps to meet the cost of some of our specialised pumps and monitors.
Research and Education. Without the specialised training in Paediatric Oncology we would not have the nursing staff to run the ward Funds are spent to meet this need by attending conferences, courses etc.
Thank you in anticipation of your kind generosity.
Jane Buchanan
Charity Fund & Events Coordinator.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
Stephen Collins
SPONSORS
We would like to thank Pedals Cycles of Ferndown, for their sponsorship, help and guidance - particularly Sharon, John, Nick and Roger - Thanks Guys!
Thanks for all your help and support through the tough times...
Thank you Barbara Cox, MD Nutrichef, for your advice, guidance, expertise and indeed most of all for your wonderful flapjacks!
Investec NDA
Thank you for your financial support this year
Moneycorp
Moneycorp is the UK's leading foreign exchange specialist and provides tailored services to help companies and individuals save money on their overseas currency transfers. Moneycorp also operates a bureaux de change network of 27 branches throughout London and at Gatwick, Stansted and Southampton airports. Moneycorp is proud to sponsor the RideAgainstCancer, a cause which offers valuable help to many families every year. We wish the riders all the very best.

My gallery 9

My Teams

My company

My charity

Southampton Hospital Charity

Southampton Hospital Charity

Charity Registration No. 1051543

Southampton Hospital Charity aims to complement and enhance services and facilities for patients and their families in the care of Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust. The NHS Trust supports the needs of half a million people living in the city and south west Hampshire, and also provides specialist services to more than three million people in central southern England, the Channel Islands and further afield. With your help the Charity can help to provide a hospital environment that exceeds expectations. <p> If you would like your donation or fundraising activity to benefit a particular area or The Red & White Appeal, please specify this on your fundraising page or, if making a donation, in the free text box.

Donations 348

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good luck to you all, Best Regards Marc

Donation by Marc Binnington on 24/05/12

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Stephen, the best of luck from David and Anne-Marie.

Donation by Glenfeshie Hostel on 13/05/12

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Well done to you and your team Steve - I am full of admiration!

Donation by Penny Brown on 04/04/12

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Best of luck for the cycle, all for a fantastic cause.

Donation by Allan Rankin on 02/04/12

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Good luck guys!

Donation by Optix Solutions on 20/02/12

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Well done Mike and team!!

Donation by Paul Beddoes on 12/09/11

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Well done Stu and your team mates.

Donation by Louise Smith on 16/08/11

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Steve and team o' riders.....excellent work; spec' you're well rested now and looking for another challenge ?

Donation by Graham Paisley on 12/08/11

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Dear Stephen and fellow cyclists, Well done on an amazing achievement and I hope you reach your final total. All the best Sacha

Donation by Sacha Zackariya on 22/07/11

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Donation by guy curtis-raleigh on 18/07/11

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Well done!

Donation by James Mildon on 14/07/11

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Well done guys!! xx

Donation by Lisa Pascoe on 13/07/11

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Well done Gordon and only 2 broken ribs!!

Donation by Crispin Scott-Beckett on 11/07/11

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Well done guys.

Donation by James Savage on 11/07/11

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Congratulations Mike, Well done to you and the team

Donation by Cyrus Wadia on 09/07/11

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Well done chaps! Job well done!

Donation by Charlie Wadey on 07/07/11

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Gordon, well done - very inspiring and worthwhile. Hope you will have recovered by the time we see you!

Donation by Gil Exon on 03/07/11

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Congratulations - you truly are all exceptional people and making a real difference!

Donation by Nicola Hurman on 02/07/11

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Well done Mike.

Donation by Steve Bennett on 02/07/11

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Well done Mike.

Donation by James Redgrave on 01/07/11

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Well done Guy! I imagine you'll be walking like John Wayne for sometime yet.

Donation by manoz lochab on 30/06/11

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Well done Mike and the rest of the gang, huge challenge...what's next??

Donation by Neil Tasker on 29/06/11

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Well done David and all the boys.

Donation by Melanie Kearney on 29/06/11

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Well done fella!

Donation by Gary Owen on 29/06/11

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Keep pedalling Guy.

Donation by Rob Hughes on 29/06/11

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£11,172.00
  • Offline donations£8,518.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£19,690.00
  • Gift Aid£2,197.45

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.