by Val | Jul 24, 2012 | News
Friday 20th July is a date we had been looking forward to. I personally had been praying for good weather for weeks now as it is our trip to Alton Towers and we’d been planning it for months. The day arrived and it was lovely and the weekend forecast was great – my praying worked then!
We all made our own way there, ready to meet in the bar of our hotel in the evening. This gave us the chance to meet other families and catch up with those we may not have seen for a while. We all met in the bar and I gave out welcome letters, car stickers, theme park tickets and water park tickets for those who purchased these separately. It was a good night and we all enjoyed chatting to one another which was the aim of the trip. Although we could not all sit together, as our group was large, the children enjoyed playing together and most families sat in groups with others.
One family who stayed commented “having the opportunity to stay over has meant that we have been able to meet other families in a similar situation to ours and has given both us as parents the chance to talk about how we cope but has given our kids the chance to mix with children in the same situation as they are often a bit outcast.”
Saturday was an early start. As we were staying at the hotel we could get in the park early. It was nice to see the families at breakfast and then we split up for the day at the theme park. I left the day visitors tickets at the hotel reception and headed off for the park. I wasn’t looking forward to our first ride “Oblivion” as I’d woken up that morning with a headache and didn’t want it to get worse. However, we all loved the ride and my headache was gone! Well now it was time to hit all the other big rides for the big kids and some of the smaller ones for the little children.
A few of us decided to meet for lunch so we said whoever arrives first should try to get seats for the 14 of us. When we got to the meeting place a few other families wanted to join us so then we moved even more benches together to fit us all in. Talk about taking over the place, you could see people looking. After the lunch and show I asked the characters to come and have pictures taken with our group and they obliged.
The day was one of the few hot days that we were lucky enough to get this summer which meant that there was no need to worry about the children becoming cold after riding the Log Flume and Rapids, which turned out to be a very popular choice. Youngster Grace Cartwright, aged 7, was so excited about her first ever trip to Alton Tower as it was the first time she has ever been tall enough to go on many of the roller coasters – much to her Granddad’s delight who got to ride with her. When asked what kind of day she was having Grace replied “Awesome, can you ask Val if we can come again when I am a bit bigger”.
Now back to the park for round two. While there we bumped into a few of our day visitors and we all had a fabulous day, shame it closed at 6pm. Those that purchased water park tickets said they greatly enjoyed it too, so much to do and so many rides to go on. As the day drew to an end there are always ones who just want one more quick go and for Jason and Michael Casey and Aaron and Thomas Mawdsley–Welsh that ride would be “Sonic” – a roller coaster with a difference as not only do you get the trills of a regular coaster you also get to be spun around at the same time – not for the faint hearted.
View Slideshow
by Matthew | Jul 1, 2012 | Notices
Due to holidays, there’ll be no Liverpool branch meeting in July or August. The next branch meeting will be 6th September 2012. You can still email or call helpline if you need our help.
by Matthew | Jun 7, 2012 | Notices
The flyer and menu for our 2012 Ball of Hearts is now available for download from our website. Tickets are £40 each. Hope to see you there.
by Matthew | Jun 1, 2012 | News
It was mid morning on a Saturday when members of the Association meet in a field in the middle of the Cheshire countryside. All around the noise of excited children could be heard from the for large slides that stood in the foreground, beyond lay more structures that the shrikes of children could be heard coming from. As some parents stood watching as their children slid down the bumpy and reverse slides, some also stood there a little upset that an upper age limit of 15 and in some cases 30 had been put on some of the attractions giving many a parent a reality check that yes in fact they were getting old!.
After almost two hours of throwing themselves down slides, across moving beams and being bounces down a rather large mechanical slide, it was time for lunch where we compared notes on what we had done and what could possibly lie ahead of us in the woods.. As we followed the trail through the woods and along the steam we had to negotiate a number of obstacles that we came across at one point, some of the smaller children worried when we came to a cannon that even the biggest of them could climb through.. As we moved around the trail the obstacles got bigger and harder to get past but the children pushed on in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Crocodile who is said to lurk around these parts, then in a clearing in a patch of woodland inside a small metal hut we came across the croc, who was not to please to see us and spat water out at you if you got to close.
Once we had our glimpse of the crocodile and survived, it was back to the cars after another successful outing.
by Matthew | May 28, 2012 | News
Regional workshop event invitation from the NHS… “Over the last few months an expert Advisory Group of clinicians, commissioners and patient representatives have developed ideas to bring improvements to the service. The Advisory Group have developed a proposed network model of delivering specialist ACHD care and draft national designation standards. We would now like to hear what you think of the proposed standards and model of care.”. Workshops are being held in Bristol, Manchester, York and London.
by Matthew | May 12, 2012 | UK resources
Aims to provide the UK with a huge nutrition support network, enabling those in need to find a nutritionist close to them and appropriate for their needs. This is a free, confidential service that will provide those seeking support with all the information they need.
www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk
by Matthew | May 12, 2012 | Other resources
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Heart Center staff members compiled this online Heart Center Encyclopedia to provide easily accessible information on cardiac diseases, defects, disorders, and problems that may affect a child’s heart. The Heart Center Encyclopedia also provides information about options available to diagnose and treat children’s heart conditions and anomalies.
www.cincinnatichildrens.org
by Val | Jan 30, 2012 | Val's blog
Good morning all.
Had a busy weekend as Matt was 13 yesterday – gosh a tiny teenager but to think how far he has come. Big celebrations for us I can tell you.
I would just like to say what a pleasure it has been, to be have been able to do much more for CHA over the last 3 months due to the kindness of my work, RSA, allowing me to have a 3 month secondment. I really do feel I have made a difference. I know and you know I put in all kinds of hours per week anyway as I have such a passion for doing my best to help others.
Today I will start with a little recap of all that I have managed to do with the help and support of RSA. Without the secondment lots of it would not have been done especially daytime meetings.
On my first day I met with a manger of Alder Hey over ICU, HDU, K2 critical burns and 01 this definitely would not have been possible without secondment as I could not get to a daytime meeting. Since then, Ian the manager has really taken an interest in what we do and even asks his deputy Jamie to come to our monthly meetings and our relaunch, which he has been doing.
I have also worked at McHouse at Alder Hey, cleaned bedrooms, done ironing, help prepare a Christmas dinner for families staying there too and generally help out.
Myself and Lisa hosted a Charity Ball
We took families to Euro Disney
I have updated with fresh info and pics notice boards at both Alder Hey and new Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. I have had branch meetings in Liverpool and attended meetings in Manchester too. I organised a Christmas Party at Alder Hey. I organised a Christmas Grotto in Whiston (already been invited back to do again this yr) and I have done a charity shop .
I did Hook-a-Duck in Jewish school locally at their Chanukah fair (also been invited back when they do this year’s fundraiser in summer and Christmas). I have done prize bingo. I have done monthly branch meetings supporting families who come.
We got in The local press (a parent put a Thank You in Echo for Disney trip). We got in the Jewish Telegraph for attending Chanukah fair. We have done relaunches at both hospitals (providing an awareness, who we are, where we are).
I have made up info packs for families and left at Alder Hey so even when I am not around they can be given to parents. We have done trips to Manchester Science Museum, roller skating and more planned. We have done Taking CHA Forward meetings. I have sorted out theatre tickets with credit we have had for a year and a half due to not being able to use during the past 18 months and finding time to sort. Been around the hospital and met staff and some parents.
So onto 2012 and here is what I have already organised before I return to work:
- Pancake party at Alder Hey in Feb.
- 5 weeks at the charity shops.
- Dinner dance in May venue sorted awaiting final arrangements.
- Ball of Hearts Nov 2012 all sorted here. Contracts signed and deposit paid.
- Christmas Party and entertainment for Alder Hey (that’s something being that organised).
- I have arranged another Taking CHA Forward for April.
- I have also managed to secure Barclays to take us on again in 2012. I have been told I will be allocated a team. I will be having a meeting with them tomorrow so update you on that when I know more.
- Received £500 donation from RSA as although I am not in the office my friends know what I am doing and put CHA forward for an award, how good is that.
- Today I received an email confirming I have been successful with my application for 60 tickets to Alton towers so a great day out we will have with them.
- Well now I am off to McHouse for today and tomorrow. I am at meeting with Barclays in morning and I will be around Alder Hey in the afternoon.
I am sure you will agree that’s quite a lot done and planned. I do hope to be able to build on this in the future with the support of RSA – back to work on Wed. It’s been a pleasure.
See you all soon
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA x
by Val | Jan 22, 2012 | Val's blog
Hi Everyone,
Week 13, how time has flown by.
This week…
Monday 23rd January 2012
Morning, I need to drop stuff off at storage unit as my car is packed. Only a few weeks away till our 1st charity shop this year. Afternoon, I have meetings at 3 hotels in Manchester, checking possible place for our dinner dance this year in May.
I have sorted Ball out for this year, it will be Hilton Hotel, Liverpool on 17th NOV – I have signed contracts so all in order there.
Tuesday 24th January 2012
Morning, I will drop off cheque deposit. Afternoon, I want to finish notice boards on K2. I have already started them but want them finished and looking good. I have also managed to take over another unused notice board. Staff on K2 said it’s fine so until I am told to take it down we might as well use it. Saves looking at a blank space. I also want to get some up-to-date pics and info ready for change over in clinic area. I am also waiting for a new notice board to go up as we have to give one back that hospital now need to use, but that’s not a problem. Nice to keep info fresh.
Wednesday 25th January 2012
Working in McHouse and I would like to update notice board there too time permitting.
Thursday 26th January 2012
Morning, in McHouse. Evening, Exec meeting in Manchester.
Friday 27th January 2012
Day off.
Saturday 28th January 2012
Taking CHA Forward meeting in Liverpool.
Sunday 29th January 2012
Day off.
I see Cecilia from CHF has been following my blog which is great and I went to a venue to check out possible for our our ball and dinner dance. Lady we met informed me she had been checking our website to see a bit more about us and read my blog in full.
If anyone needs me to do anything just let me know.
See you all soon,
Val Frew
A very proud volunteer of CHA
by Matthew | Jan 22, 2012 | News
Our eStore is back, bigger and better than ever. See www.heartchild.info/shop.
