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 535

Inmem.png

Commission from sales at OC

Donation by Paula Banks on 30/01/12

£30.00

Inmem.png

Thinking of you all Love Sal and boys Xxxx

Donation by Sally Bermingham on 17/01/12

Inmem.png

I meant to do this before Christmas! Happy Christmas and also a Happy New Year everyone.

Donation by Teresa Coppeard on 29/12/11

Trumpet.png

Happy Christmas one and all.

Donation by Mike Gutsell on 22/12/11

Inmem.png

Happy Christmas

Donation by Ruth Heynes on 22/12/11

Inmem.png

Happy Christmas to you all. Keep up the good work Paula. Love from Claire xxx

Donation by Claire Lambert on 22/12/11

present.png

My virtual Christmas card - have a great Christmas and New Year everyone! Love Eleanor xx

Donation by Eleanor Windsor on 21/12/11

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

present.png

Happy Christmas Paula and Family, and all the very best for the New Year and your fabulous fundraising efforts. xx

Donation by Sally Clifford-Smith on 20/12/11

present.png

Happy Christmas Paula, Rob and Joe

Donation by Louise Wedlock on 20/12/11

present.png

Instead of Christmas cards - happy Christmas Paula, Rob and Joe and everyone who knows me. Love Bird & Family Xx

Donation by Joanna Milosevic on 20/12/11

Inmem.png

Commission from sales raised at OC (Body Shop & The Book People)

Donation by Paula Banks on 19/12/11

£106.10

Inmem.png

Thinking of you all this Christmas, The Gibbs'

Donation by Paul Gibbs on 19/12/11

Inmem.png

Thinking of you all this christmas and sending you lots of love, Michelle, Wayne, Travis, Oliver and Phoebe x x x x x

Donation by Michelle Litchfield on 17/12/11

£20.00

Inmem.png

With love to you all this Christmas.

Donation by Rebecca Townsend on 15/12/11

Inmem.png

Merry Christmas to you all.

Donation by Lindsey Wade on 13/12/11

Commission raised by Puppet Lady @ OC

Donation by Paula Banks on 07/12/11

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

Donation by teresa mcclean on 05/12/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Merry Christmas.

Donation by Caroline Baker on 05/12/11

Merry Christmas to you all. X

Donation by Nicola McCarthy on 05/12/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Happy Christmas x

Donation by Sam Hunt on 05/12/11

Happy Christmas to all who have supported Jack's fund throughout 2011. We miss him very much. Thank you XXXX

Donation by Paula Banks on 05/12/11

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Happy Christmas!

Donation by Sophie Thompson on 04/12/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Best wishes for Christmas

Donation by Maryanne Beavers on 04/12/11

Commission raised from sales at OC

Donation by Paula Banks on 14/11/11

£68.20

+ £17.05 Gift Aid

Hi all!! This is for the signed Amy Winehouse. See you soon. Jord x

Donation by Jordan Ridd on 07/11/11

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£23,151.42
  • Offline donations£35,671.78
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£58,823.20
  • Gift Aid£2,895.86

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