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 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

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Go Paula, will be thinking of you! The Clarks

Donation by Jen Clark on 27/03/11

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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You are both very brave. Good luck.

Donation by Mary Rich on 24/03/11

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Good Luck to both of you!

Donation by Angela Curnock on 23/03/11

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Commission from sales at Osborne Clarke

Donation by GNO Party Plan on 23/03/11

£8.00

+ £2.26 Gift Aid

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You both must be mad! Good luck!

Donation by Louise Wedlock on 23/03/11

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Commission raised from book sale at Osborne Clarke

Donation by The Book People on 21/03/11

£46.40

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Good luck Paula and Becca - you are both very brave! xx

Donation by Zahra Khan on 19/03/11

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Good Luck Paula xxxxx

Donation by Sam Fairclough on 16/03/11

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

Donation by Jonathan Hazlett on 15/03/11

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Donation by Caroline Baker on 15/03/11

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You're both mad and very brave! Best of luck on the 10th.

Donation by Mike Gutsell on 15/03/11

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For my brave amazing sister for everything you've done and will do including your crazy skydive!

Donation by Scott Golding on 08/03/11

£50.00

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Good luck Paula- lots of love to you all xxx

Donation by John Banks on 01/03/11

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Becca, Best of luck, I will looking into the skies on the 10th!!

Donation by Mark Waters on 28/02/11

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Very best of luck

Donation by Catherine Shepherd on 25/02/11

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Paula and Becca, what a fantastic challenge you're taking up. Loads of luck and hope it is fun too.

Donation by Rebecca Plummeridge on 24/02/11

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Good Luck Paula! You've all raised an amazing amount of money for a fantastic cause. x

Donation by Angela Ashley on 23/02/11

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Becca and Paula - good luck to both of you!

Donation by Paul Matthews on 17/02/11

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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Good luck to both of you! x

Donation by Magdalena Kolodziejczak on 17/02/11

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Becca and Paula. Best wishes, Suki

Donation by Suki Ryder on 17/02/11

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Paula, you're amazing! Good luck.

Donation by Teresa Coppeard on 16/02/11

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Paula and Becca. Good luck and I look forward to hearing all about it.

Donation by Julian Hemming on 15/02/11

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Bev organised a collection from staff at Development Services South Glos Council instead of buying christmas cards, God Bless.

Donation by Beverley Manning on 11/02/11

£110.00

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Hope this helps a little. Best wishes x

Donation by Belinda Muscat on 28/01/11

£120.00

+ £33.85 Gift Aid

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Thinking of you all xx

Donation by Sally Bermingham on 16/01/11

£20.00

+ £5.64 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.