bluebell wood spring newsletter

Autumn newsletter 2012Spring newsletter 2013

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

@BluebellWoodCHwww.bluebellwood.org

Welcome to the Spring edition of our newsletter In this issue we’ll update you with what’s been happening here at our hospice, tell you about some of our upcoming events and show you what some of you, our fabulous supporters, have been up to.

Over the past few months our support for children and families has continued to increase and we now look after over 160 families. We need to raise over £3 million every year to ensure that we can help every family that needs our support, and as we receive no statutory government funding,the help of local people is vital to us.

We hope you enjoy reading about Bluebell Wood and learning more about what goes on at the hospice; our outstanding care, excellent facilities and our fabulous children and young people. We hope this will inspire you to come on board with us and get involved.

On behalf of all our children and their families, a huge thank you for all your help and support!

The Bluebell Wood Team x

2

NEWSLETTER

Read all about our fabulous upcoming events & find out how you can be a hero for Children’s Hospice Week!

Inside

www.bluebellwood.org

Six-year-old Lilly is a happy, smiley, little girl who loves books, Disney characters and musicals, however, she was born with an unknown condition which throughout her early years has caused her many health problems. Her Mum Vikki, tells her story;

“Lilly was very poorly when she was born in 2006 and it wasn’t until she was two that she was finally diagnosed with 'Koolen Syndrome,' a very rare chromosome condition which means for Lilly, the future is uncertain. “Koolen Syndrome a�ects her in many di�erent ways, she has severe learning difficulties and global delay, she is visually impaired, has worsening mobility issues which at times cause her to be wheelchair bound and also su�ers from severe epilepsy. Lilly is also autistic and has a low immune system and respiratory problems; however, despite all this she really is the happiest, funniest and bravest little girl who makes us so proud every day.

“Lilly doesn't sleep often and never has; she is always on the go even on days when her mobility isn't very good, she is never, ever still. Due to her worsening visual impairment alongside her other issues she can't be left for a second. She needs constant supervision so she doesn't hurt herself, so looking after her is a 24/7 job and is very, very exhausting.

Lilly lives with her mum, dad and big brother Ryan who is nearly 15. Vikky continues: “We come to Bluebell as a family, sometimes for

quality time as that is rare in our lives. It gives us the chance to get a full night’s sleep as her endless medication and continuous therapy is taken over by the care team and we know no matter what the future holds for Lilly they will always be there for us.

“On other occasions Lilly will stay in Bluebell alone so we can take Ryan out. Ryan has missed out on so much due to Lilly's needs so while Lilly is at Bluebell Wood we can do something like take Ryan to the cinema. At these times we have complete trust in the sta� as they care for Lilly as if she was their own, so we know she's really happy there.

“There have been times when her health has not been so good and we've really appreciated her being able to go to Bluebell to recover in such lovely surroundings. The hospice has been a lifeline to us; we've also made some great friends and had lots of emotional support from them which is much needed to people like us who've had little or no family support.

“There is even a parent group and I’ve always found this to be really supportive and helpful to us. We couldn't cope without the hospice’s help in our life with advice, support and help when Lilly's sick, thank you so much for all you do Bluebell Wood!”

Lilly’s Story

Spring newsletter 2013


3

Thank you to the 12 Jail and Bailers who raised

couldn’t have done it without HMP/YOI Marshgate, The Regent Hotel, Doncaster and our fabulous photographer Nick from Footprint photography who captured those memorable moments! We must also thank HMP Marshgate for their fundraising e�orts over the years raising over £10,000 for us!

Mr and Mrs Turton got into the festive spirit and raised £408 over the Christmas period, as Mr Turton dressed as Father Christmas and delivered presents to children in the area where he lived on Christmas Day!

16 year-old student, Megan Nicholson shaved her head and raised £1500!

The Barrack Hotel in Apperknowle held a Halloween party night for Bluebell Wood and Chesterfield Neonatal

and raised £470 for us.

Dronfield Support group member Pauline Albrecht

celebrated her 70th birthday and asked for

donations for us raising £2000!

Natalie Wilkinson and pupils from her Piano School in Chapeltown have spent 6 months fundraising for us and have raised £5470!


71 year-old Bertie Mather completed the 200 mile Coast to Coast walk for us in 15 days!

Aubrey Hill and all of the 180 participants that took part in the Park 2 Park bike ride raised £15,000!


4

With the theme of heroes it takes place each year and culminates on Superhero Friday - a special day of hero inspired fundraising activities. Just like heroes, children’s hospices are there for people when they need them most.

Children’s Hospice Week aims to raise awareness of the needs of children with a shortened life expectancy and of the services - children’s hospices like Bluebell Wood - that support them. It also raises much needed funds to ensure that these services can continue to provide vital support to children, who may not reach adulthood and their families. We are asking everyone to support Bluebell Wood and ‘be a hero’ during Children’s Hospice Week which will take place Friday 26 April - Friday 3 May.

How can you get involved?There are lots of ways to get involved whether you’re an individual, school, community group, work place or a group of friends. You could dress up as a superhero for the day and ask family and friends to sponsor you, organise a quiz with people paying to take part, hold a raffle or bring and buy sale, cake sale, co�ee morning, the list is endless, you could even hold a purple and orange themed event as these are Bluebell Wood’s colours.

Please go to our website and download our Children’s Hospice Week superhero booklet for more information and ideas at;www.bluebellwood.org/childrens-hospice-week.phpOr call one of our friendly fundraisers on 01909 517365 who will be happy to chat to you to give you more information and discuss ideas.

We think you’ll agree with us that all our children are Super heroes every day, get involved and help us to help them by continuing to provide our much needed support.



5


Pat Thomas from Carlton-in-Lindrick recently won £1,000 on the Bluebell Wood lottery after playing for only four months! Pat and her husband were absolutely thrilled and spent their winnings on a holiday to Norfolk. Next time it could be you!

For only £1 per week you could be in with a chance of winning £1,000 in our weekly draw or up to £5,200 on our rollover!

Go to www.bluebellwood.org/weekly-lottery.php for more information and to sign up now!

1st Prize £1,000


Our Care Team - always there for youOur dedicated care team consists of 26 sta� made up of nurses, carers, nursery nurses, a physio, music therapist, activity co-ordinators, counsellors, a Family Liaison Manager and a Practice Educator.The team are all headed up by our new Director of Care, Julie Devine, who came to us from NHS, Rotherham and has a background in delivering award winning services for children and young people who have complex, life limiting conditions and their families.

Our care team look after over 160 children with a vast range of complexmedical needs. We support our children and their families on their life journey,o�ering respite care, day care provision, community support, crisis intervention and end of life treatment and care. Our highly trained care team support our families inmany di�erent ways and our underlying philosophy is to ensure the children are cared for in the way their families wish. This gives them peace of mind, enabling them toto have a break from their caring responsibilities during their stay. We o�er a wholefamily approach to care and support, working with parents, carers, grand-parents, siblings, in fact anyone who is important to the child.

A lot of families arrive completely exhausted and our aim is to help them re-charge their batteries. Julie says: “When families walk through our door they should have the feeling of a warm blanket being wrapped around their shoulders on a cold winter’s day.

“Our hospice is a warm, friendly home from home for the whole family and our motto is ‘living with love and laughter’ and anyone that has visited us will agree that there’s a lot of this going on!”

6

We know that getting fit can be a battle and hitting the streets at the end of a busy day can be a chore, however, running for your local children's hospice could be just the motivation you need. By running for ‘Team Bluebell’ you could help us continue to provide this valuable service for local families who need our help.

The children at Bluebell Wood have inspired International Football Referee Howard Webb, who is a patron of the charity, to dig out his running shoes and run for the hospice. Howard said; “I have visited Bluebell on several occasions and always feel very humbled when I’m there.

“The work they do is fantastic and I’m honoured to be a patron. They have inspired me to get my running shoes back on again to show my support and I’m urging others to do the same and help raise funds for this amazing place.”


Think you’d like to join Team Bluebell? Why not sign up to a fun run, 10K or even a half marathon? Our fabulous fundraising team will be behind you all the way. They will provide you with inspirational stories, top fundraising tips, sponsorship forms and even a free Bluebell Wood running vest! For further information on runs and walks you can take part in for us visit our website at; www.bluebellwood.org/running.php

If running is not for you but you like to walk there are also numerous walks out there that you can get involved in for Bluebell Wood. Go to the link below to find a list of local walks plus information about Tom’s Golden Miles, our 35 mile way marked route which was created by Gillian Scotford, proud Mum to one of Bluebell’s children,Tom www.bluebellwood.org/walking-events.php

Running!


8Regular Giving Due to Alexia’s complex medical needs, when she was one year old, her parents were told about Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Alexia is now two and a half years old and su�ers from Coffin Siris syndrome (a rare genetic disorder which causes developmental delays), Pierre-Robin Sequence (lower set ears and jaw), she has a small ASD on her heart, (Atrial Sept Defect, alsoknown as a hole in the heart) andSubglottic Stenosis, a narrowingof the subglottic airway.

She visits Bluebell Wood on a regular basis. Mum Lizzie says: “Every time we get here she just smiles from ear to ear and is keen for us to leave so she can enjoy the place on her own. It gives us chance to have a break and get a full night’s sleep as Alexia often stays awake throughout the night, I don’t know what we’d do without it.”


Become a regular giver and help local children like Alexia.For more information and to become a regular giver go to; www.bluebellwood.org/standing-orders.php

Bluebell Wood’s children and their families,

£5 a month pays

for a 10 minute phone call

at 3 a.m. to a parent who

just needs to talk

£7 a month pays for the setting up of a drip for a dehydrated child


7

Signing up to give a regular donation is the most powerful way you can support helping us to continue to provide our services to local children with a shortened life expectancy.

£15 a month pays for a child to have a dip in our hydrotherapy spa with lots of bubbles and giggles£10 a monthpays for a play session for

a Bluebell Wood child,

with lots of fun and laughter

Bluebell Wood AmbassadorsSince our last newsletter we are thrilled to tell you that we have not one, but two new Ambassadors on board! Weare so proud to welcome one fifth of the hottest boyband in the world, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson,and World Taekwondo Champion, Sarah Stevenson!

Louis visited us back in October 2012 before taking part in a charity football match for us in his home town of Doncaster. He said:“It was really important for me to supporta local charity. Bluebell Wood is such a great cause and I’m very proud to be able to help them withraising funds.”

Sarah Stevenson, who read the oath on behalf of all the Olympians at the 2012 Olympic Games, came to see us in January and said: “It was a very humbling experience and I was inspiredby the children I met there and their families.”

Jordan Desert TrekApril will see two of our supporters, Maureen Shah from Doncaster and Richard Horn from Sheffield take on the Jordan desert and mountains.

The Jordan Desert Trek entails five days of trekking starting at the Dead Sea and finishing in the rose coloured city of Petra. They will trek through mountain and desert terrain using ancient trails, swapping all their home comforts for the four 'S's - sun, spiders, snakes and lots and lots of sand, sleeping under the stars en route to the city of Petra.

We wish them all the best and look forward to hearing all about it.

London MarathonAlso in April we’re lucky enough to have two runners running for ‘Team Bluebell’ in the London marathon. Heather Finnerty, wife of the Sheffield Steelers coach Ryan will be taking part along with Maxine Kane who lives in Bermuda and will be travelling all the way to England to take part in the run! To support Heather or Maxine visit their JustGiving pages;

www.justgiving.com/Heather-LondonMarathon-BluebellWoodwww.justgiving.com/Maxine-Kane

We hope you’ll join us in wishing them both good luck!



9

We’re really excited about working with them both in the future- watch this space!!

Sheffield Half Marathon 12 May There are still spaces left to sign up for this year’s half marathon and run for Team Bluebell! Go to www.bluebellwood.org/running or contact Gail at the hospice on 01909 517362 or at [email protected]

Dippy Duck Race 7 June

What’s on GuideDon’t miss out on this 5, 14 or 25 mile trek in the Hope Valley and Edale area. For further info. or to sign up and raise money for Bluebell Wood go to www.walkit.com/2012/01/jane-tomlinsons-walk-for-all-peak-district-walk or contact Emma on 01909 517368 or [email protected]

Walk For All 28 April

Swim For All 17 JuneThis open water swim at Pugney’s Country Park in Wakefield is the perfect challenge for those

Junior swim route, there’s no excuse not to give your swimming a spark this summer.

Go to; www.forallevents.co.uk/swim-for-all/ or contact Emma Vizor on 01909 517 368 or email

This 7 mile hike is a great way to kick start summer and takes place in the glorious Derbyshire countryside. For more information visit www.bluebellwood.org/goldenmiles.php or contactEmma on 01909 517368 or email [email protected]

Tom’s Golden Mile challenge 7 July

All of the events can be viewed on our What’s On Guide on our website athttp://www.bluebellwood.org/events.php



10

Bark Around the Park 13 October

It’s a Knockout 8 September Looking for an unforgettable experience? You can't beat it for mad moments, belly laughs and nostalgia. Why not enter a team in our It’s a Knockout Event this summer? Contact Rachael or Julie on 01909 517365 for further info. or email them - [email protected] or [email protected]

Get your pups paws into action and get involved in Bark Around the Park here at Bluebell Wood. This sponsored dog walk takes place aroundthe beautiful countryside surrounding the hospice. Find out more atwww.bluebellwood.org/bark.php or Nigel on 07889 957976

2013 sees the return of the Dippy Duck Race! The ducks will bob down the flume and along the lazy river at Ponds Forge Sports Centre. You can buy a duck for only £1 and if yours is one of the first to the finishing line, you'll win an amazing prize! Contact Blu Crew organiser Nigel on 07889 957976 for more details or to buy tickets

We are looking for adrenaline junkies who would be willing to take part in this year’s skydive, taking o� from Hibaldstow airfield this June. If you are interested contact Rachael on 01909 517367 or email [email protected]

Skydive 30 June

We will be opening our doors to the hospice to show you the work we do and also, how your fundraising e�orts have paid o�. For more information visit www.bluebellwood.org/openday.php or give our fundraising team a call on 01909 517 365

Hospice Open Day 29 September

[email protected]

Lynne Robertson from HSBC organised a fabulous night

of entertainment with the renowned Acoustic Angels,

raising over £5,800

have been actively supporting us for the

Wilkinsons have been incredible with their support throughout 2012 and generated well over £35,000 for us. We are reallylooking forward to working with them during 2013 too!

charity this year!

SWFC have been fundraising through a match day

And we mustn’t forget Lindley Catering who have created a fantastic Bluebell Wood kiosk at the SWFC ground and are

Aviva Sheffield have supported us for the last 2 years and have

raised £14,439

lots of di�erent fundraising initiatives,

Panache Lingerie chose to support us

Would your company like to sign up for Payroll Giving? Payroll Giving is a tax efficient scheme that allows you to make regular donations to Bluebell Wood straight from your salary – and because your donation is taken out before tax, £10 a month could cost you as little as £5 (depending on your tax contributions). Contact Julie one of our corporate fundraisers for more details on 01909 517361 [email protected]

Would your company like to enter a team into our fabulous new It’s a Knockout Event? Go to our events guide on page 10 for further information or call 01909 517365 and ask for Rachael or Julie.

Our corporate supporters are always amazing, working alongside us fundraising, and also o�ering their time volunteering within the hospice.

Bank Park are donating 10% of all their profits to Bluebell Wood from their car parking fees



££

11

through

or email

You can also support us by following us on LinkedIn; just search ‘Bluebell Wood’ in companies.

Registered charity number 1076958www.bluebellwood.org

Can you help us support local children with a shortened life expectancy?If you would like to show your support by making a donation please use the form

below or go to our website

www.bluebellwood.org/donate-money.phpPlease complete this form and return in the stamped addressed envelope provided

Name:

Address:

Postcode: Telephone number:

Email:

Yes I would like to make a donation to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

Total donation amount £

I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice (please delete as appropriate)

Or, please debit my credit/debit card with the total amount above

Card Number:

Switch card issue no Valid from Expiry date

Security number (last 3 digits on reverse of your card)

Signature Date Increase your gift value to us by 25% at no further cost to yourself by signing a Gift Aid declaration

I declare that I am a UK taxpayer and want Bluebell Wood to treat all donations I have made in the last 5 years and any future donations that I make as gift aid donations

Your Contact Details

/ /

Please recycle after use

bluebell wood spring newsletter

Documents

lilly lives

occasions lilly

lilly doesnt sleep

bluebell wood childrens

fabulous children

spring newsletter

care team

fabulous upcoming events