Yesterday was a huge day for us – we made our first delivery to Kamran’s Ward at Oxford Children’s Hospital!
Earlier this year I met one of the Oncology Consultants from Oxford at a Children’s Cancer Conference, and since then I have been speaking with the Ward Manager about the possibility of Milly’s Smiles supporting their newly diagnosed children.
Yesterday, after weeks of planning, everything came together and Graeme and I travelled 190 miles to Oxford, with 20 Milly Bags for Kamran’s Ward (which is the Children’s Oncology Ward).
On arrival, we were greeted by Karen, the Ward Manager, and Angela, the Housekeeper, who kindly helped load the bags into a cage which we then took up to the ward.
It always feels strange to go onto a ward, I feel instantly transported back in time to when Milly and I walked onto Ward 84 at Manchester for the first time. Whilst feeling exceptionally proud of what we are achieving for Milly, I also feel so sad that this is now my world, a world without Milly, a world where I work every day to keep her memory and legacy alive.
We were given a tour around the ward, and met some of the staff working there. Children’s cancer wards are always such bright positive places and this was no different. Kamran’s Ward is a 9 bedded ward which makes them one the smallest, in terms of beds, that we support, however, they are one of the busiest, with around 130 new admissions each year.
To support the ward for a year will cost Milly’s Smiles £18,200, we feel so proud to be able to take on this commitment and will continue to provide our Milly Bags for as long as the Ward will let us.
Each time we take on a new hospital it is always because of the unfailing support we get from the wider community, every donation, fundraising activity, every toiletry item that we receive really does make such a difference – a difference that means we can expand into more hospitals.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support us, this is all possible because of you.
