Dear All
On 14 February 2011 my step-daughter, Eve Anderson aged 8, was rushed into hospital after collapsing at home. She had suffered from a bleed in the brain and underwent life-saving surgery at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Eve was later diagnosed as suffering from an unoperable brain tumour.
Eve was in intensive care for 2 weeks before being discharged to Ward 1b which is a specialist paediatric neurological ward. She remains in Ward 1b where her rehabilitation is taking place. Eve is in the middle of the very long road to recovery, currently undergoing radiotherapy amongst other treatment and, although every step she takes is tiny, her family and friends are beside her all of the way. Eve is a special little girl and the love and support she has been given shows how much she is thought of by everyone who knows her.
Since first stepping foot into the RVI we have been met by the most wonderful, caring and brilliantly skilled staff I have ever met. From surgeons to staff nurses, consultants to therapists, the love and attention that Eve has been paid has been truly outstanding. No child deserves to be in the position that Eve currently finds herself, but every single one of them does deserve to have the amazing staff in the RVI looking after them.
As Eve’s step-dad, I have been humbled by everything that has happened in the last few months. It is a life-changing situation and really puts everything into perspective. Other than being by Eve’s bedside and taking advice from the staff at the hospital, I feel it has been very hard to help as much as I would like to. For that reason, I am writing this letter.
Earlier this year, I decided to raise money for CHIEF (Children’s Head Injury Equipment Fund) which is part of the Newcastle Health Care Charity. This is a relatively unknown part of the charity but since our involvement in the ward, I feel it the most appropriate cause to help Eve and children who have suffered similar injuries to her.
On Monday 11 April, I began a 7 day sponsored event, whereby everyday for that week I made my way on foot (walking or running, depending on how fit I felt on the day) from my home address in Bedlington to visit Eve in the RVI, Newcastle. The distance was approximately 15 miles – 105 miles over 7 days. It was a difficult week but I managed to complete the distance (over 4 marathons in a week) and was proud to be able to tell Eve every day that I had been able to get there to see her on foot.
I was overwhelmed by messages of support for Eve and the amount of people wanting to help in any way they could. I hope this gave those of you wanting to show your love for Eve, or who just believe that this cause is a worthy one, the chance to give a small something to the charity.
The amount of money I have made so far has blown me away and recently there was a presentation where I handed over a cheque to the charity to the value of nearly £13,500. I have updated this story since I first posted it on here and hope that I can continue to raise a little bit more by contacting people who may not have heard our story. I would love it if people could continue to give and the amount raised could rise.
Eve is unable to talk or move but it is believed she is aware of everything that is going on around her. I know that she will be proud to be an ambassador for this wonderful cause and that because of her so much money has been raised.
Thank you very much for all your support.
Peter Miller
