I am not a very brave person. I am scared of spiders, not that good with heights, get spooked in the dark, often have dreams where I am falling or trapped and I have never had a leg or bikini wax. Fact.
If I think about the scariest or hardest times in my life, like child-birth or miscarriage, I guess I have had to be brave - either put on a brave face or just get myself through it any way I could - but overall, I'm not one to take risks or do something that scares me.
Brave is a label best saved for those who really do have challenges and do their best to face them head on.
Like the children at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Now I can't read a story about the great work the hospital charity does or the case studies of the children they help without getting teary. Ethan is my world and I cannot imagine every having to go through what some families have to. It's the reason why I got so behind The Big Sleuth last year (a trail of bear statues across Birmingham to raise important funds) and the reason I am sharing this post, as it is a brilliant cause, close to home and I know the people who work in the fundraising team, so wanted to do my bit to support their latest appeal...
One of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s largest annual
fundraising events, Big Bandage
is back and the charity is looking for it to be BIGGER, braver and
better than ever with its Big Bandage Day on Friday 9 March!
Urging supporters to be brave in
bandages, the charity is asking people to step out of their comfort zone
and take on a brave challenge in support of the hospital’s many courageous kids.
From taking on their sponsored abseil on the 10 March, to braving the shave and
going bald in aid of the charity, there are many ways to fundraise and help the
90,000 sick children fight another day.
Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Women’s and
Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Big
Bandage Day is back, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! And
all we’re asking is for people
to be brave. Of course, we’re not expecting everyone to jump out of a plane or
scale the side of a building (although you’re more than welcome to!). We’re
just looking for people to take on a challenge which tests their nerve and
pushes their comfort zone.
“However people decide to fundraise, all money raised will support Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity in our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all our incredibly brave children, offering them the best experience possible when treated at our hospital.”
One inspirationally brave patient in particular is four-year-old Penny
Powell, who is a regular
visitor to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Sutton-born Penny underwent a renal transplant in June last year after
she was born weighing just 1lb 7oz and diagnosed at birth with renal
failure. First time parents Michelle and Stuart were keen to be
Penny’s donor, but after tests revealed they were unfortunately not a match,
Granddad John Powell stepped in. Since her transplant just over six months ago, Penny is doing extremely
well and Mum and Dad describe her as ‘the bravest little girl they know’.
So, how can you get involved in Big Bandage Day?
1. Save the date – Friday 9th March2. Register to get your free fundraising pack here 3. Start planning your Big Bandage Day!
Get your work place or kids involved too and
boost your fundraising by getting everyone to pay £2 and wear a bandage in
support of our extraordinarily brave children.
Alternatively, instead of organising a Big
Bandage fundraising event, you could be superhero brave and face your fears by
taking part in our Be Brave Abseil on
Saturday 10 March – you could even do it wrapped in bandages! Sign up here.
If you don’t
have the time to take on a challenge, you can still show your support for our
brave patients by making a donation to the hospital charity.
To donate, all you need to do is text BIGB18 to 70070, or donate online via www.bch.org.uk/givetobb.
***
As I said at the start of this post, I'm not a brave person at all. For instance, I haven't booked for my overdue smear test, and have just let this slip off my list of things to arrange, but I know how important it is. So that's just one thing I could do, and on my way back, I will donate to this incredible cause because it's such a little thing for me, but children at the hospital have to deal with so much worse and take it in their stride.
I'm going to encourage people at my work to raise money by wearing a bandage next Friday (or earlier, as it tends to be a quieter day). How about you? How could you get involved?
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