Killinchy dad raises over £15k for hospital which saved his daughter

MORE than £15,000 has been raised for a specialist children’s hospital unit which helped save the life of a three year-old girl.

A group of cyclists rolled out from Killinchy last Saturday to trace the route round local hospitals involved in the treatment of Francesca English, who had treatment on a nine centimetre brain tumour discovered at Easter. Little Fran’s dad Paul decided he wanted to thank the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children’s Paul Ward and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit where she was treated, after becoming ill on a family trip to Portrush in April.

A keen cyclist, Paul decided a sponsored cycle ride would be a good way to raise money for the unit and raise awareness. Paul, cheered on by his wife Katherine and their daughters, including Fran’s older sister Harriet, set off at the weekend to trace the route they had taken last Easter, including Lagan Valley hospital and the Ulster Hospital.

Fran had been seen at the two regional hospitals before medics realised she needed an emergency operation at the specialist Belfast unit.

The little girl is now recovering well at home following her ordeal, whose symptoms had included a turn in her eye, a headache and feeling sick.

The cyclists raised funds for the hospital, via its supporting charity, Little Heroes.
Commenting on the success of the event, Paul said: “It is simply unbelievable considering it has all come from friends, family and work colleagues’ pockets mainly.

The charity themselves said that anything of this value is normally corporate backed which again supports the fact that people have been so generous towards us and this amazing charity.

“Besides the money I just hope that we have raised awareness for Little Heroes NI as the RVH for Sick Children deserve all the support in the world for both children and families who are treated within.”

“Again the main point for this fundraising was simply to raise awareness for this amazing charity and to support the kids and families, a way of repaying those that helped us,” he said.

“Far too many to thank, a simple thank you is all we as a family can say as we have been overwhelmed by the support.”

You can still support Paul’s fundraising effort by making a donation via the family’s JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/page/paul-english-1