Incredible Peaks Challenge to help fund new Parent Room on the Cancer Ward at Sheffield Children’s
Father and son duo, Martyn and Daniel are set to take on a challenge to walk over 75km this July to raise money for a new parent room on the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s.
Daniel and Martyn Rhodes from Chesterfield are aiming to raise £5,000 for local charity Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia (PACT) after Daniel’s brother and Martyn’s son, Jonathan, received treatment on the Cancer Ward at Sheffield Children’s in the early 2000s. Jonathan sadly passed away in 2004 but the family have been dedicated supporters of PACT ever since.
PACT supports families who are going through cancer diagnosis and treatment with their child at Sheffield Children’s, providing emotional and financial support where it is needed most. The charity is currently raising money to transform the parent room on the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s.
The new parent room is part of an overall appeal with The Children’s Hospital Charity to rebuild the whole ward. The new parent room will be a bigger, brighter space with more facilities for parents going through a difficult time.
Aiming to walk over 75km split into a distance of 50km and 25km, the challenge is no mean feat but is something the family hope will help to raise much needed funds for the new parent room which means a great deal to them all.
Daniel said: “The team at PACT are a fantastic outlet and support for anyone who has a child or sibling going through treatment, not only as it’s a terrible and challenging time for parents but also for siblings.
“I wanted to do something to help raise the money for the new parent room and we thought of this challenge. We’re aiming to complete 25km in 6 hours and then 50km in 12 hours, but the terrain is rather challenging.”
Daniel and Martyn will also be joined by friends as they take to the Peaks to complete the 75km distance. Spurred on by the fact they have already raised over £900 and are aiming to raise £5,000 in total.
Daniel added: “We know first-hand the difference this donation will make to the parent room and to PACT being able to support families, we are really grateful to our family and friends for donating.”
Dad Martyn is a Trustee for PACT after being inspired by the care their family received in the early 2000s during their son’s treatment.
Martyn said, “PACT and the Cancer Ward at Sheffield Children’s are causes extremely close to our hearts having experienced the wonderful work PACT do whilst my son Jonathan went through treatment. Unfortunately, he lost his battle but what better way could we support and remember Jonathan’s memory than to carry on being engaged with PACT and to support more children and parents going through the same challenges.”
“I am looking forward to taking on the challenge with Dan and our friends and helping to raise the money for the new parent room.”
Fundraising for the new parent room is set to continue until November this year, giving less than five months to raise the £100,000 needed to transform the space.
The renovation will provide a bigger room with extra facilities for parents, and a space to cook and be with other parents during an incredibly difficult time.
Sarah Harrison, Assistant Coordinator from PACT said, “We are really grateful to Daniel and Martyn for supporting our fundraising for the new parent room. When a parent is supporting their child going through treatment, they need a space to have five minutes, make a hot meal and be with other parents. Every penny raised through this challenge will help make that possible and create a nicer, more comforting space for these families. Thank you to Daniel, Martyn and their friends for helping us get one step closer to our dream.”
To support Daniel and Martyn’s challenge and to find out more about the work of PACT please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-rhodes4.
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Notes To Editors
The Children’s Hospital Charity
The Children’s Hospital Charity helps make Sheffield Children’s Hospital even better, by funding projects that are over and above the standard NHS provision. Money raised through donations funds four key areas; medical equipment, research, new facilities and improvements to the environment.
In July 2018, the ‘Building a Better Future’ appeal was launched to raise £14.25million to expand the Emergency Department, build a brand-new Helipad and redevelop the Cancer and Leukaemia Ward. To find out more visit: www.tchc.org.uk/appeal/
PACT
Pact Charity does whatever it can to help the families journey easier which includes supporting projects that are over and above the standard NHS provision. Money raised through donations funds key areas such as emotional and practical support; medical equipment, trips and treats, facilities and improvements to the environment.
PACT Sheffield – Helping Children with Cancer (pactfriends.co.uk)