Catherine Lambden
Cat does the Great North Run!
Fundraising for Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Support Project
Story
As many of you will know, I started a new job in November as Paediatric Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. As part of this, I work with the families of Wolverhampton who have a child ( or children) affected by Sickle Cell Disease or Beta Thalassemia.
I have loved getting to know all the families but it has been a steep learning curve and a massive eye opener. Originally when I got a place in the Great North Run I had planned to do it unsponsored with the hope of doing a bigger run in coming years and raising money for the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Support Project in Wolverhampton. However, the fact is these families need help now. We all know how recent times have made us tighten our belts but imagine how hard it has been for those who were already struggling to make ends meet. This, on top of the additional stress of having a child who needs to have warm, dry, comfortable housing just to stay healthy and out of hospital. Many of our families also don't have access to public funds which means they are having to face these struggles without the financial help of the government, meaning they can't access benefits.
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project was established in 1990 to address health inequalities in service provision to those families in Wolverhampton affected by sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.
The project has been addressing these issues since then, including issues that emerge from the community it seeks to serve.
I have witnessed first hand the impact this charity has on our families. From running wellbeing sessions to providing support and advice as well as providing financial support when families need it the most, they are always there for the families.
I am running the Great North Run with the hope of raising £500 which will go directly into their "hardship fund". This money will go directly to families when they are at their most vulnerable.
Like I said, I know times are really tight but I would really appreciate any donation big or small ! If you could witness the desperation of some the families and how this charity can really help them, I know you would all dig deep. It really will go towards a fantastic cause and also stop me sloping off for a brew and bacon buttie half way round!
The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project was established in 1990 to address health inequalities in service provision to those families in Wolverhampton affected by sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.
The project has been addressing these issues since then, including issues that emerge from the community it seeks to serve.
I have witnessed first hand the impact this charity has on our families. From running wellbeing sessions to providing support and advice as well as providing financial support when families need it the most, they are always there for the families.
I am running the Great North Run with the hope of raising £500 which will go directly into their "hardship fund". This money will go directly to families when they are at their most vulnerable.
Like I said, I know times are really tight but I would really appreciate any donation big or small ! If you could witness the desperation of some the families and how this charity can really help them, I know you would all dig deep. It really will go towards a fantastic cause and also stop me sloping off for a brew and bacon buttie half way round!