My story

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for Jack's Star Tribute Fund supporting the Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Bristol Children's Hospital. I set the fund up through the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal in memory of my son, Jack, who died from a rare form of leukaemia on 23 July 2008, he was only 9. Since then I have been raising funds to help make life a little better for all those children I have met over the past years and sadly, for those who will be newly diagnosed in the future.

Various fundraising events have taken place over the past few years including running half marathons, fancy dress parties, an abseil, tandem skydives, a balloon release, bag packing and a ladies night.  2013 is going to be another busy year with Team Jack taking part in the Bristol 10k, more tandem skydivers, a couple of ladies nights, our annual fancy dress party and we might even try to squeeze in another bag packing day.

My ultimate aim for Jack's fund is to pay for a new modern playroom and outside space on the Oncology & BMT ward, a special place where children can spend time away from their hospital beds for which I need to raise £100k. You can read more about Jack's story and what has been happening with his fund below:

Jack was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia In November 2003, just aged 4. He underwent chemo and a bone marrow transplant in Feb 04, for which his brother, Joe, then aged 8, was the donor.

Following his tranplant, Jack remained in remission for over 2 years but in August 2006 he relapsed. He received further chemo from which he developed a life threatening fungal infection on his lungs. Miraculously Jack recovered from this and went on to find out that he was remission, however the lung infection had left him too weak to undergo a 2nd bone marrow transplant.

For just over a year Jack remained well but following a routine bone marrow test it was confirmed that Jack had relapsed a 2nd time. He had to undergo more chemo and radiotherapy and an unrelated donor was found for his 2nd bone marrow transplant. In May 2008 Jack was admitted for his transplant and spent 2 months in hospital. Jack developed pneumonia and had no immunity to fight anymore, he passed away on 23 July 2008 with myself and his dad beside him, holding his brother's hand.

Through all of this Jack remained a strong character, he had a wicked sense of humour and endless sense of fun. Our home feels so empty without him and I felt that I needed to do something positive out of something which has brought me and my family so much pain and sadness.  I cannot thank Jack's Drs, Nurses and other hospital staff enough for the care that he received during all the time we spent at the hospital

Cancer is a terrible disease and it doesn't care who it takes as its victims.

We have already spent a small amount of Jack's fund:

- January 2011 we provided Wii fit boards for BMT to help encourage children out of bed, helping towards their recovery following a transplant and with their physio treatment

- January 2011 we received donated DVDs and Xbox 360 games which were used to update BMT and Daybed's library of films and games

- January 2010 we set up 'Captain Jack's Treasure Chest' - 3 'piratey' toy boxes for Oncology Daybeds, the Oncology Ward and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.  I keep these boxes full with toys so children can choose a special treat when they have to face unpleasant and scary medical procedures. This initiative has proved to be a huge success and my aim is to keep them well stocked every year so we'll just have to keep on fundraising!

- May 2010, two emergency palliative care bags were bought. These are lockable bags containing all the medication that is required for those children who require end of life care, enabling their family to be able to do this at home or a hospice.

I cannot tell you how much it means to me when I see how much people have been, and still are, supporting Jack's fund and I would like to say a huge thank you to them all. He was truly a remarkable boy and we miss him every single second of every single day.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Royal Hospital For Children Bristol Appeal Limited gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you for your support.

 

 

 

My gallery 5

My Teams

My company

My charity

Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal

Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal

Charity Registration No. 1043603

The Grand Appeal raises funds to enrich and improve the quality of life for patients at Bristol Children's Hospital and special care baby unit at St Michael's Hospital Bristol. For more information please visit www.grandappeal.org.uk

Donations 541

Well done for the 10k!

Donation by Nicola Morrish on 18/06/13

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

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Donation for ladies night 5 July

Donation by Sarah Saunders on 16/06/13

£40.00

+ £10.00 Gift Aid

This is the donation towards the ladies night in July. Thanks

Donation by Katie Barrett on 11/06/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Commission from book sales @ OC.

Donation by OC on 10/06/13

£49.60

+ £12.40 Gift Aid

Donation by Tracy Sherwood on 08/06/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Donation by Karen Wall on 24/05/13

£60.00

+ £15.00 Gift Aid

Commission from sales @ OC

Donation by OC on 23/05/13

£16.00

+ £4.00 Gift Aid

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Donation by Anonymous on 16/05/13

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Well done Paula and Team Jack lots of love Sally xx

Donation by sally bermingham on 16/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Well done Team Jack

Donation by Maxine & Nigel on 09/05/13

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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well done for all you are doing...Marie and Ryan x

Donation by marie parkes on 08/05/13

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Well done all in TEAM JACK in Sundays Bristol 10k run Jim & Jan

Donation by Janet Golding on 07/05/13

£40.00

+ £10.00 Gift Aid

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Hi Paula - this is from my sister and her husband for your/Team Jack's brilliant run on Sunday .

Donation by Teresa Coppeard on 07/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Andrew Williams on 07/05/13

£20.00

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Good luck Paula!

Donation by Simon Dix on 05/05/13

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck Paula & Team Jack! Lots of Love Jo & Family xx

Donation by Joanna Milosevic on 05/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck Paula xxx

Donation by Jo Bennett on 04/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck Paula!! Jack would be so proud!! Xxx

Donation by Becky portman on 04/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Well done Sarah, Might join you next year with the big 50!! on the horizon.

Donation by Fiona May on 04/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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For Mike and Paula go for it Team Jack.

Donation by Rob Banks on 04/05/13

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck Paula and everyone running for team Jack i will be at the finish line to cheer you through. Thank you for all your incredible support. X

Donation by Anna Shepherd on 04/05/13

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Go Team Jack!! You're amazing!

Donation by Sophie Thompson on 04/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Best of luck for Sunday and reaching your 100K target xxx

Donation by Sarah Keeler on 04/05/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Good luck with the run, and with raising the 100K

Donation by Nick Gingell on 04/05/13

HK$300.00

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Wishing you all the best on Sunday. Saw your article in the Downend Voice newsletter and was very moved. You are all huge stars, well done!

Donation by Andrew Crawford on 03/05/13

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£23,351.02
  • Offline donations£37,792.27
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£61,143.29
  • Gift Aid£2,945.76

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