Sheffield Children’s Hospital had a special visitor when singer Nathan Sykes – formerly of boy band The Wanted – came to see his cousin Jessica. Five-year-old Jessica Bryant has been visiting the hospital since September 2014 when she was diagnosed with a bilateral Wilms’ tumour, a form of kidney cancer whereby a tumour is present on both kidneys. Jessica has undergone a series of treatments during this time, including surgery to remove one of her kidneys, and is currently visiting Ward M3 every three weeks for chemotherapy treatment.

During Nathan’s visit he toured the ward and PACT House where Jessica and her family have stayed on multiple occasions. PACT House provides a home from home for the families of patients staying on the cancer ward at Sheffield Children’s – not only can they be close to their child, but it gives them a sense of normality in a comfortable and family-orientated environment.

PACT is currently on a mission to raise £670,000 to fund a revolutionary new Day Care Cancer Centre for Sheffield Children’s. As chemotherapy treatments can last up to a full day, the new centre would provide a state of the art space, tailored to children like Jessica’s needs.

They have until 2017 to raise these funds, which they are currently half way to achieving. Nathan is keen to get involved and help PACT on their mission to raise the additional £335,000 needed to secure the future of the centre. He held a gig in partnership with The Sun earlier this month to support the appeal.

Nathan, who is currently on tour with girl band Little Mix said “PACT have done so much to support my family over the years and I can’t thank them enough.  I loved visiting PACT House on my last visit to Sheffield, as well as ward M3 where Jess has been so well looked after. With all proceeds from The Sun gig going to PACT it was always going to be special, but having Jess and my family there to watch made it even more so.”

While at Sheffield Children’s Hospital he met some of his fans, Eden and Lily, who both a received a signed photograph from the singer. Beryl Welburn, PACT Co-ordinator said “It was lovely to meet Nathan when he visited the hospital to see the people who have been supporting his family. It was great that he was so interested in what PACT does, PACT House and our fundraising appeal for a new haematology and oncology clinic at the hospital. We were really appreciative of him taking the time out to come and see the work that we do.”

 

 

 

 

 

From left to right in the photo are Kerry Bryant (Jessica’s Mum), Jessica Bryant, Nathan Sykes, Eden and Lily Cooper.