We truly enjoy hearing about the diverse challenges that individuals undertake when they choose to fundraise for Milly’s Smiles. While we are immensely grateful for the donations—without which we could not fulfill our mission—it is also about the remarkable people behind the fundraising efforts and their reasons for selecting Milly’s Smiles.
One story that particularly moved us was that of Salahman, a 5-year-old diagnosed with leukemia at his local hospital in November after a visit to his doctor. Within hours, Salahman was rushed to Manchester Children’s Hospital with his mother Charlotte and father Shaz. Upon arriving at Ward 86, he started receiving blood and platelet transfusions, with chemotherapy beginning the very next day.
Never did Salahman’s mum expect to find themselves admitted to the Children’s Oncology Ward, and this meant they were totally unprepared for an unexpected hospital stay without personal belongings. Receiving their Milly Bag was described as the “most heartwarming gift,” providing not only essentials but also sentimental items that helped them process the situation.
In an effort to raise awareness about Salahman’s journey and funds for Milly’s Smiles, Charlotte’s sister Danielle and her husband Adam decided to take action. They recognised that the distance from their home in Burnley to Manchester Children’s Hospital was the same as a marathon, prompting Adam to decide to run this distance on Christmas Eve to generate awareness and donations. Adam also planned to collect pyjamas, noting how many Salahman needed daily due to treatment side effects and take these along with him.
On Christmas Eve, Adam set off early, dressed as an Elf, wearing a Milly’s Smiles T-shirt, whilst pushing a beautifully decorated pram filled with hundreds of pairs of pajamas. His route took him from Burnley, through Edenfield, Bury (via The Rock Shopping Centre due to his satnav!), and Prestwich, ultimately reaching The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he was warmly welcomed by the brave Salahman.
Despite facing challenging weather conditions—including rain, wind, and sleet—Adam persevered with the support of his children, family, and friends. It was heartwarming for us to witness live updates and videos on Facebook throughout his journey.
A huge thank you to Adam and his support team for this incredible achievement. We are truly humbled by your generosity and kindness. Adam has raised an impressive total of £5,270, which will fund over 37 Milly Bags—an incredible impact!
We send all our love to Salahman and his family, keeping them in our hearts and prayers as he continues his treatment journey.
