Patrick Cox, a Programme Delivery Manager for Northern Trains Ltd based in Leeds, has taken on the huge and much needed task of supporting 2 wards at The Leeds Children’s Hospital following his daughter, Caitlin’s, diagnosis with a Grade 1 Brain Tumour.
Patrick began his quest 3 Christmases ago, collecting toys for L42 as he had heard that the ward was struggling for presents for the children who would be in hospital over the festive period. He then linked up with local charity, Will’s Way, and it was full steam ahead, as together they donated toys at Christmas and eggs at Easter, putting smiles on so many children’s faces during difficult times.
Fast track to 2020, Will’s Way merged with Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity, and Patrick was in contact straight away to say he was eager to continue his festive fundraising and support YBTC. This has rolled out into a great partnership and synergy, with a shared vision of supporting patients and their families while also providing financial assistance for people whose circumstances have changed due to a Brain Tumour diagnosis.
Patrick spread the word throughout his network, and developed a wish-list of items that were desperately needed on the wards and subsequent donations and gestures of support have included:
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The gift of a Nintendo Switch and i-Pad, in memory of Betty & Gerald Baldwin and Kathleen & John Raymond.
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ASLEF Trade Union donated £1000 to the wards, with special thanks to Pauline Cawood
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£500 donation by John Stuart, courtesy of Leeds City RMT, and match funded with a further £500.
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£150 donation from the TMT group’s Gareth Watts
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£200 worth of children’s pyjamas donated by Martin Brown from MCN Brown
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A fridge freezer from Jonathan Davies for the parents’ room, plus 3 Nintendo Switch consoles & 6 games.
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3 Sacks of toys donated by Craig Barton at Consortiais.
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Another sack of toys from Chris Monk at the Input Group.
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A bag full of gifts from Judith Brooke.
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Food Hamper for the NHS Staff on the Children’s wards from Phil Marsden at Vextrix.
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Food Hamper for the NHS staff on the Children’s wards from Mike Barker, from MFG Construction2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and this fantastic support means so much to all of us and the NHS staff on the wards have asked me to pass on a personal thank you to all of those who have supported them or are considering doing so in the future.
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Gary Seed has also donated lots of baby items much needed to the children’s ward.
If anyone is interested in supporting Patrick’s fundraising or YBTC, please contact Patrick Cox Pat.Cox@northernrailway.co.uk, or Jo Page, Development Officer at YBTC jo@yorksbtc.org.uk 07398 322744 and we can certainly help you to help us.