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Toys from Bristol hospital charity 'gave my son a childhood' Toys from Bristol hospital charity 'gave my son a childhood'
(about 1 hour later)
Connor spent his fourth birthday on a ward being treated for leukaemiaConnor spent his fourth birthday on a ward being treated for leukaemia
A mother has raised nearly £6,000 for a charity that enabled her son to "have a childhood" while being treated for leukaemia.A mother has raised nearly £6,000 for a charity that enabled her son to "have a childhood" while being treated for leukaemia.
Four-year-old Connor, from Portishead in Somerset, was diagnosed in February. He is currently cancer-free but is still having chemotherapy to prevent it from returning.Four-year-old Connor, from Portishead in Somerset, was diagnosed in February. He is currently cancer-free but is still having chemotherapy to prevent it from returning.
Last weekend, his mother Lucy Radford took part in a 24-hour relay to raise money for Bristol Children's Hospital charity, the Grand Appeal.Last weekend, his mother Lucy Radford took part in a 24-hour relay to raise money for Bristol Children's Hospital charity, the Grand Appeal.
She said the organisation had provided her family with endless toys and "distractions", allowing Connor carefree moments of "normality".She said the organisation had provided her family with endless toys and "distractions", allowing Connor carefree moments of "normality".
Connor plays with one of the toys at Bristol Children's HospitalConnor plays with one of the toys at Bristol Children's Hospital
Connor spent his fourth birthday in hospital having a spinal tap, where a needle is inserted between the bones of the spine to collect fluid for testing.Connor spent his fourth birthday in hospital having a spinal tap, where a needle is inserted between the bones of the spine to collect fluid for testing.
To create a special memory, the Grand Appeal fulfilled his birthday wish by delivering a Jurassic Park Lego set to his bedside.To create a special memory, the Grand Appeal fulfilled his birthday wish by delivering a Jurassic Park Lego set to his bedside.
"It might seem like a small gesture, but in those moments, it meant everything," said Ms Radford. "It might seem like a small gesture, but in those moments, it meant everything," said Mrs Radford.
"It's a distraction, not just for the children but for the parents too."It's a distraction, not just for the children but for the parents too.
"While they're playing, the adults can sit and talk about what's going on and how they're coping.""While they're playing, the adults can sit and talk about what's going on and how they're coping."
Lucy Radford said the "distractions" provided by the charity allowed her space to process her son's illnessLucy Radford said the "distractions" provided by the charity allowed her space to process her son's illness
While having chemotherapy, Connor was also able to play with the ward's jukebox, toys, puzzles, games and books.While having chemotherapy, Connor was also able to play with the ward's jukebox, toys, puzzles, games and books.
But Ms Radford said Connor's illness was "a lot to take on". But Mrs Radford said Connor's illness was "a lot to take on".
"No parent should have to deal with their child being diagnosed with leukaemia, or any other illness," she said. "We just take each day at a time really.""No parent should have to deal with their child being diagnosed with leukaemia, or any other illness," she said. "We just take each day at a time really."
More than 60 people took part in the fundraising relay, which was hosted by Portishead Running Club, of which Lucy is a member.More than 60 people took part in the fundraising relay, which was hosted by Portishead Running Club, of which Lucy is a member.
Members of Portishead Running Club organised a 24-hour fundraising relayMembers of Portishead Running Club organised a 24-hour fundraising relay
The club quickly surpassed its initial target of £2,000, raising £6,000.The club quickly surpassed its initial target of £2,000, raising £6,000.
The money will go towards state-of-the-art equipment, music, play and art therapy, family accommodation, and making the clinical environment more child-friendly.The money will go towards state-of-the-art equipment, music, play and art therapy, family accommodation, and making the clinical environment more child-friendly.
After Connor's diagnosis, his mother said she thought the weeks-long stay in hospital would be "really hard".After Connor's diagnosis, his mother said she thought the weeks-long stay in hospital would be "really hard".
"But so much effort and funding goes into making the hospital feel less like a hospital and more like a place of comfort and care, for both children and families," she said."But so much effort and funding goes into making the hospital feel less like a hospital and more like a place of comfort and care, for both children and families," she said.
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