The Big Pledge Weekend, organised by Leicester Hospitals Charity from Friday 22 to Monday 25 March, has concluded with overwhelming success, raising £25,000 in support of the CenTre Neonatal Transport Service. The initiative aimed to enhance the care provided to premature and unwell babies during transport, with a particular focus on keeping twins together during their journeys.

The Big Pledge Weekend saw an outpouring of support from the local community, demonstrating their commitment to improving the lives of these vulnerable infants and their families. Funds raised will contribute towards the purchase of essential equipment, including a double pod system for transporting twins and kangaroo harnesses, allowing parents to travel with both babies and to have the option to hold one of the babies, if well enough, during journeys to different hospitals.

Sunita Patel, Acting Head of Charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event, saying: “We are thrilled by the incredible response from the community during the Big Pledge Weekend. We’ve had people do bake sales, young fundraisers taking on challenges like walks, auctions of iPads, and raffles to win football and rugby shirts.  The generosity displayed will make a significant difference in the lives of little patients and their families.”

Local community radio, Ramadan FM, who supported the Charity during the Pledge Day on Saturday 23 March, played a pivotal role in rallying support and spreading awareness about the cause.

Muhammad Yusuf from Ramadan FM said: “We are proud to have been part of the Big Pledge Weekend and to support Leicester Hospitals Charity in their noble endeavour. The overwhelming response from the community highlights the importance of coming together to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”

Leicester Hospitals Charity Team extends a Big Thanks to all participants, donors, and partners who contributed to the success of the Big Pledge Weekend. The support of the community has brought the charity one step closer to achieving its goal of enhancing neonatal transport services and improving outcomes for premature and unwell babies.

For further information please visit the Big Pledge Weekend webpage at www.LHCharity.org.uk/big-pledge-weekend or contact the fundraising team at 0116 258 8709.

Charity Partnership brings hope to cancer patients with vital equipment to detect cancer 

Local charity Brown Dog Cancer Charity has successfully helped to raise money for a brand-new ultrasound scanner for patients in Leicester. The partnership with Leicester Hospitals Charity has meant the Brown Dog Cancer Charity was able to raise money with the support of the Head and Neck team at Leicester’s Hospitals for vital equipment in the diagnosis of cancer.

Mark Storer, founder of the Brown Dog Cancer Charity, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1999. This then spread to his lung and lymph nodes, and he underwent six months of extensive chemotherapy. Mark, who is from Coalville, was given the all-clear a year later. Since then, he, his family and friends have been raising funds for Leicester’s Hospitals for the care he received.

Over the last year, Mark has organised challenges and sports events which saw Leicester’s Hospitals Head and Neck Cancer Unit Team take part in the Great Ridge Challenge. With the support of the community, they have raised £47K to purchase an ultrasound scanner. Ultrasound has been in use for more than 60 years, particularly for baby scans. Over the past decade, it has become a vital tool in helping to detect cancer and supporting the team to take biopsies. It is a quick and safe test to confirm if a neck lump could be cancerous,

Mark said: “Brown Dog is a Leicestershire-based charity which is why it has supported Leicester Hospitals for the last 22 years by purchasing best-in-class equipment and helping local people fight cancer by providing better and earlier diagnosis.

“In 2023 Brown Dog was delighted to support the Neck and Head Cancer unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary by raising a very challenging £47,000 to purchase an ultrasound scanner that will positively impact over 350 patients per month. Brown Dog is run totally by volunteers, which means it has no overheads, therefore every pound donated will go towards to the ultrasound machine.”

Dr Ram Vaidhyanath, Consultant Radiologist at Leicester’s Hospitals said: “Thank you to Brown Dog Cancer Charity, with their support and the generosity of their donors we’ve been able to purchase another ultrasound scanner to help our Head and Neck Team to detect cancer quickly.  The sooner patients can be diagnosed the sooner they can begin their treatment and those patients who present a benign lump can be reassured in one visit without the need for anxious wait.”

On Wednesday (13 March) a small ceremony was held at Leicester Royal Infirmary with representatives from Leicester’s Hospitals, Leicester Hospitals Charity, and Brown Dog Cancer Charity, joining donors and supporters for the official cheque presentation and viewing of the brand-new machine.

Sunita Patel, Acting Head of Leicester Hospitals Charity said: “We want to thank Brown Dog Cancer Charity for their dedicated support and for encouraging staff, and the community to get involved in fundraising for such a worthy course.  This equipment will make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients and help to continue their fight against cancer.”

“Partnership working is vital in supporting initiatives that we know can benefit the community.  We work with charities like Brown Dog to find ways to make a difference to patients and give back for the care they and their loved ones receive from Leicester’s Hospitals.”