You have probably never heard of Thinking of Oscar, I hadn't until a few months ago. 

Thinking of Oscar is a small charity but with a big heart. Please take a moment to read further about what happened to Oscar on the website and in the blogs because try as I might I can't convey to you the enormity of the family's loss, how they are trying to cope and move on for the sake of their other children without lessening Oscar's memory and his importance within their family even though he is no longer a physical part of it.     

From what I've been told and have read my understanding is that Oscar had an infection (Osteomyelitis). He was hospitalised but he should have recovered from this. While his immune system was compromised he contracted Rotavirus (gastroenteritis) and ultimately Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) from which he did not recover. He died. He was just 16 months old. This all happened in a matter of a few short weeks. How do you continue with life after this? How do you get back to 'normal'? There is no more normal. 

Oscar's parents, Hannah and David Cole, set up Thinking Of Oscar in Oscar's memory to do good in his name. They recognised areas within the system which they felt could be improved upon, notably a new paediatric procedures unit alongside the Children's Ward in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where Oscar was. In layman's terms this means that some procedures could potentially be carried out close to the ward where a child is being treated. This would not only save time which could be critical in some cases but also lessens the distress of having to take a sick child some distance to another area of the hospital which is mostly adult orientated. This however is a long term goal which is in conjunction with other building work within the hospital. 

Other more immediate aspects of the fundraising are to supply 'AccuVeins', most recently to The Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. These enable medical practitioners to find a vein quickly with the minimum fuss and pain in order to take blood or insert a cannula. Again, with children in mind, finding a vein first time can be critical to treatment and recovery. 

Some procedures are painful, distressing and prolonged. Interactive floors within the treatment room whereby the floor reacts in different ways when an area is touched changing colour and reflecting bright interactive pictures can be beneficial in distracting a child from the pain and discomfort of the procedure he or she is undergoing at the time.

If a child has a lengthy hospital stay boredom alongside the pain and distress of any illness can be a problem. Thinking of Oscar aims to fund additional hours for Play Specialists. Play can be a vital part of a child's wellbeing and recovery but at present the hours are typically 9am until 3pm leaving a significant amount of time for parents to fill in and entertain and distract their children.

You could say fundraising for a procedures unit or for equipment should not be necessary but it is. Many hundreds and eventually thousands of children who find themselves in hospital are likely to benefit. 

Thank you so much for for sticking with me and reading all of this and thank you for your donation. You have really made a difference.

Steph  xx 

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.