By Julie Waters
TENACIOUS toddler Alex Chambers has big plans to boost her fundraising efforts for the Little Heroes charity in the year ahead.
The Newtownards youngster was given just 45 minutes to live last December after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage, but battled back from a medically induced coma and three month hospital stay.
Keen to say thank you for all the support they received during her hospital stay, Alex, her friends and family embarked on an 11-strong charity walkathon.
They raised an impressive £16,000 as they put their best foot forward walking around venues such as Portaferry’s Exploris Aquarium, Bangor’s Walled Garden and inspiring Ulster Rugby players at the Kingspan Stadium.
The family are keen to carry on their support for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children’s charity Helping Hand, which has been officially relaunched as Little Heroes in tribute to the bravery and resilience of local children.
Alex’s dedicated mum Nadine said they are already looking forward to their 2025 Little Heroes fundraising challenge, when they will be working in partnership with Scrabo Golf Club for ‘Alex Goes Golfing’.
Nadine said she and her husband Ryan were delighted to attend the relaunch of Little Heroes charity, with the name change reflecting the charity’s renewed commitment to focusing on the courageous children who are at the heart of the hospital’s care.
The charity’s decision to rebrand is part of their long-term vision to expand its impact and increase awareness of the vital work being done at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Little Heroes will continue its mission to raise funds for the hospital’s paediatric services, fund innovative medical treatments and equipment, provide support for families, paediatricians and the hospital’s team of allied health professionals and help research into childhood illness.
Said Nadine: “Alex will forever be our little hero so we could not have thought of a more appropriate name to give this amazing charity. Throughout the three months that Alex spent solidly in the RBHSC, and the additional stays she has needed since, Little Heroes have been so pivotal to her stay and recovery.
“As well as providing expensive and lifesaving medical equipment and training, they provide day to day supplies that help the Play Team support children during their recovery.
“When Alex was recovering she needed intensive therapy to regain strength and control of all her limbs and her core strength. The Play Team monitored this closely and were able to cooperate this into her daily play sessions.
Said Nadine: “This meant that Alex was doing therapy in an extremely fun environment and she looked forward to this every day. In fact, any time we are back on the ward, Alex knows exactly where to go to find the Play Team.
“During these sessions Alex created paintings and keepsakes which we still have. Without knowing it, they allowed us to document her recovery and we absolutely treasure these things.”
Looking forward to their ongoing fundraising efforts, Nadine said: “We are dedicated to continuing to fundraise for this amazing cause and Scrabo Golf Club will take on this charity as their yearly charity once Ross Moore (the current vice-captain) becomes club captain in 2025.
“So it’s official – Alex Goes Golfing will be our fundraising challenge for 2025 – we are really looking forward to this one.”
