Events
Childrens Heart Week 2006
February 14th is International Congenital Heart Awareness Day.
So to mark this occasion Young at Heart hosted a balloon launch at the, Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The Children’s Heart Federation funded the balloons and we joined forces with two national charity’s Max Appeal and Little Hearts Matters. The aim of this national event was to raise awareness throughout the country.
We kicked off the fun with a party for the children, which took place in the conservatory with entertainment by Balloons and Tunes (Better known as Pam and Paul), and then just before 12 noon we all gathered outside the entrance of the Children’s Hospital where an open top double decker bus awaited us.
Several of our trustees had been busy blowing up 144 Red heart shaped balloons and 1 blue heart shaped balloon to signify the approximate numbers of children born with a heart condition. Several of the clinical team and staff from wards 11 and 12 joined us and when the clock struck 12 noon all the balloons were released into the sky it was a glorious sight, we had great fun and the children really enjoyed it!!!
Then it was back to the conservatory for some party food and to continue with the fun of the party, the children played games and danced the rest of the afternoon away!!!
A Huge Thank you to everyone who helped out on the day!!!! And we hope to see you all and many more same time same place next year!!!!
Then…………
Sandra Ramsey (Chair), Sam Owen (Trustee) and myself then travelled to London to attend a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons for MPs, Policy makers from relevant Government Departments, The Health Care Commission, The National Patient Safety Agency, representatives of CHF member groups and other interested voluntary organisations.
This was held to draw attention to the needs of children born with heart conditions. Following the Brompton and Bristol enquires; groups and organisations like Young at Heart want to ensure services are being maintained at a certain level. We have called for a review on the development of these services to show how parents of heart children can help with that process.
Debra Bailey (Vice Chair Trustees)