Paul's Story -

The STAR's of Steelhouse Lane appeal has inspired me to get
my running shoes out and start training once again as my niece,
Pheobe, is one of the children featured in the appeal. She has a rare
condition that has required over 30 surgeries since birth and will continue to affect her throughout her life. The Birmingham Children’s Hospital has saved her life on multiple occasions so far and her care has required multiple disciplines and expertise from throughout the wide and varied hospital team.

This appeal is also close to my heart as I also owe a lot to the Children's Hospital as I received lifesaving surgery and multiple surgeries as a child back when It was at the Five Ways site. As we now know these surgeries were related the same rare condition as my niece has. My own daughter has the generic markers for the same condition and at the moment is not displaying symptoms but we always live in the knowledge symptoms may appear as she grows older. This is the reason this appeal has touched me so specifically!

Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s Star Appeal aims to raise £3.65 million to create the UK’s first centre for children with rare diseases; providing co-ordinated care, treatment and support to help to brighten the lives of children who need it!