Stephen Collins
Ride Against Cancer 2015
Fundraising for Southampton Hospitals Charity
Story
Our aim in 2014 is to raise more money for Children with Cancer, particularly those at Piam Brown, the children’s oncology ward at Southampton General Hospital.
This September we completed our 5th RideAgainstCancer when we returned to Wales to conquer the dreaded Sarn Helen Trail again. It was so tough in 2010 because the weather conditions were absolutely atrocious. but this year it was much kinder!
The route took us from North to South Wales, over Snowdonia, the Brecons, the Black Mountains and down into to Cardiff Bay where we finished outside the prestigious St. David's Hotel! We completed roughly 250 miles 'off Road' and over 30,000' of climbing.... sore legs and bums all round!!
PLEASE CONTINUE TO DONATE - we collect all year round!
Some of us rode the Sarn Helen Trail on our motorbikes earlier this year.
Stephen Collins, Stephen Collins Associates, Trevor Smith, Amberley Labels, Andy Izzard, Community Clean, Russell Bowyer, Custom World, Andrew Roberts-Wray, Sunninghill Prep School, DS Gary Hole, Dorset Police. Simply, we replicated the ride on our motorbikes, but 'on road', not 'off road'. We completed the 700 mile motorbike RideAgainstCancer on the 1st June! Please take a look at our poster and perhaps make a donation on this page too!
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.
Rachel Funnell
Charity Fund & Events Coordinator.
Thanks for taking the time to visit ourJustGiving 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 - we 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...