At Birmingham Childrens Hospital Charity, we believe theres always more we can do for our sick kids and thats why we will always strive to do more for our patients and families. Its our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use our hospital.Your support empowers us to take innovative approaches to treating some of the sickest children in the UK. Your fundraising enables us to make our hospital feel just like home. Your donations are helping us to find new ways to treat and cure childhood diseases.

Darcey's Story

On Thursday 12 January Darcey went to school as normal but more excited as it was her 7th birthday the following day. 

During morning break she was on playground when a classmate fell into her and he bumped his head above Darcey ear,

A few hours later Darcey had deteriorated showing symptoms such as ear hurt, hearing effected, not eating, wanting to lie down and then vomiting with blood coming from nose and in her sick.

She was rushed to Princess Royal Hospital where her condition continued to deteriorate. An urgent CT scan revealed a fracture above her ear that had ruptures major blood vessel to her brain. Her brain was being compressed by the bleed causing her brain stem to shift over 3 centimetres. 

She was sedated and intubated and rushed to paediatric neuro surgeons at Birmingham Childress Hospital. We were met by the surgeon Mr Pepper who immediately asked me to sign consent and said he had to go and save Darcey's life and had only an hour to do that. She'd blown her right pupil which was pre terminal. I'll never, ever forget that moment how much I try, 

It was the longest 2.5 hours waiting to hear news that the craniotomy was a success. The surgeon almost apologised that he'd shaved her whole head and didn't even take her out of her school uniform. He'd saved her life and I didn't care about what she looked like.

Darcey was in intensive care unit on ventilator where again she received the most amazing ing care. Totally above and beyond, as it was her birthday the next day. The nurses decorated  her room. And got all Drs and nurses to sign a birthday card. A group called Singing medicine came and sang happy both day to her and other hospital services brought her gifts. 

When she was well enough  Darcey was moved to Neuro  high dependency ward where she was again cared for amazingly. From the cleaners to the consultants. We were all treated with such care and respect. As Darcey got stronger she was able to use the  fab facilities- play room, Music groups, play therapy and even enjoyed the physio sessions. 

Darcey also made some great friends on the ward. To watch her having fun and laughing with the bravest of children will be etched in my mind forever. 

What was the worst time of our life turned out to be one of the most inspirational and positive too seeing Darcey being so brave and making a speedy recovery. 

We can never thank the whole of the NHS enough for saving Darcey. The only thing I can do to say thankyou is help them provide this service to other kids who need it in the future,

So please help me do that by supporting our fundraising, 

We'll be getting our heads shaved like Darcey and then running the Great Birmingham half marathon on 7 May 2923. Even a teacher from darceys school, Mrs Morgan is having her head shave to support  Darcey when she returns to school. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Xxx