Our daughter, Thea, was diagnosed at six weeks in early 2020 with a hip condition (hip dysplasia) that required her to have both her hip joints corrected with surgery. She had her first hip operation in late 2020 and her second at the end of April 2021.

After the incredible expertise and care provided by the Southampton Children's Hospital (including clinics with the UK's leading specialists, several nights on the ward in preoperative traction,  and returning for several cast changes as her recovery progressed) Thea is making fantastic progress having just had her second spica cast removed. We have another 12 weeks or so of recovery and cast wearing to go, and 18 years of clinics, but all is pointing towards a fantastic outcome that will last her a lifetime. 

We are so grateful for the expertise, professionalism, care and kindness provided by all of the staff at University Hospital Southampton Children’s  Hospital in caring for Thea (and her parents) over the last few months, particularly in light of the immense pressure the NHS has been under in the awful pandemic. That includes such a wide range of people:  the consultants, doctors, nurses, students, anaesthetists, pain specialists, radiologists, cast technicians, occupational therapists, porters, ambulance drivers, kitchen staff, and admissions staff, and anyone else I can't remember! An amazing team!

Having spent a fair amount of time at the Childrens Hospital, we've also seen how challenging it can be for some children and families with much more complex needs, particularly in a post Covid world where masks and gloves make things like play and  social interaction and visiting family so much more difficult.

For that reason, I wanted to do something way out of my comfort zone to try and raise some funds to help children in pain, families in crisis and an NHS in need of all the funding it can get, particularly now!

So I’m focusing my efforts on raising money for children’s toys, play sessions, equipment, facilities or technology to support children’s play at the children’s hospital as it’s an underrated and under funded aspect of treatment that relies entirely on charitable donations. I hope it will help poorly children and their parents cope through really tough times. 

Please donate!