The Round Robin Challenge

 

On 21 August 2012 our little Archie was diagnosed with A L L T cell leukaemia.  A few weeks earlier all our family and friends had celebrated Archie’s second birthday.  No one ever thought that weeks later we would be surrounding his hospital bed in Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital.  

 

Archie is now fighting a life threatening illness at the age of two, his treatment plan is longer than the time he has been alive and he faces three years of chemotherapy.  Until something like this happens to a member of your family, you never quite realise the value of everyday life.  

 

Words cannot explain the emotional turmoil and feeling of helplessness that you face having a child with leukaemia or any other life threatening illness.  However, with the support of PACT, Archie’s Mum and Dad (Fiona and Richard) have found great comfort and direction to deal with their poorly little boy.

 

PACT (Parents’ Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia) was founded in 1977 – with a donation of £113 – when eight parents created a support group for families whose children had cancer.  PACT started raising funds for a Christmas party and a summer trip for the children.  The charity expanded its remit to include children with leukaemia in 1978 and, as funds were secured, services grew to include new ideas like the provision of equipment and facilities for families.

 

In 1977 a child with cancer had a 55% chance of being alive 10 years after diagnosis.  Today that chance has improved to more than 75%.  However, the cost of this is often prolonged and intensive treatment that is, sadly, not always successful.  PACT continues to be an invaluable source of both practical and emotional support for children and their families throughout their contact with the oncology unit at Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital.

 

Over the last 30 years PACT has continued to raise money to help support the families, and increasingly to support the ward and clinic at the hospital, as well as contributing to research.

 

We need your help!

 

On 15 April 2013 Archie’s Dad, Richard, Granddad Andrew, Uncle Rob, Martyn Rhodes from PACT and a few close family friends are attempting the Round Robin Challenge.  Starting at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, they will drive to Land’s End, then to John O’Groats and back to Sheffield again.  Yes, you guessed it in a few Reliant Robins!

 

Their goal is to raise £30,000 to provide a new caravan by the seaside at Filey for use by PACT families whose children are under treatment for tumours and leukaemia at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

 

Children, like our Archie, who are undergoing treatment for tumours and leukaemia, suffer from very low immune systems, which mean they cannot go into public places, never mind go on holiday.  So please help support the Round Robin Challenge and give a sick child the chance to go on holiday with their family.

 

 

www.facebook.com/PACTroundrobin

Telephone: 01629 55560