On May 22nd 2022 Sinéad and I are running the Manchester 10k to raise money for the Cindy Appleyard Foundation. The Foundation was set up in memory of our friend's daughter Cindy who, after being on a paediatric intensive care unit waiting for a heart transplant for six weeks tragically died in February 2013, aged just 10 months. 

When Cindy became critically ill Emily and Nick had to suddenly relocate 150 miles from home so they could be close to Cindy all the time, leaving her sister Cleo with her grandparents with no knowledge of how long this could be for.  

Realising they are one of hundreds of families around the country whose lives are turned upside down by child illness, looking to do something positive to remember Cindy and help others Emily and Nick set up the Cindy Appleyard Foundation.

Through their experience Emily and Nick realised the trauma of serious childhood illness is made worse by the practical and financial difficulties that go with it.  The Foundation provide small grants to help alleviate financial hardship experienced by families with a child in a specialist hospital a long way from their home. An added stress nobody needs at a time like this. The grants help with costs associated with transport to and from hospital, temporary accommodation, time off work, food and more. 

Since we set up four years ago, by Cindy’s anniversary this year we’d given out 222 grants totalling £53,000. A little charity, run by 6 friends in our spare time we are so proud of Cindy and what the charity has achieved.

Please consider donating to support Cindy's Foundation and help us help others 

Thank you!