Children's Heart Week 2006
February 12th 2006 saw the beginning of Children's Heart Week. The Children's Heart Federation and its member groups, including the Children's Heart Association organised a week of exciting events to raise awareness and funds to support the needs of heart children and their families.
Member groups took part in a nationwide balloon launch from each children's cardia centre in the UK on February 14th and the CHF attended the House of Commons to highlight the issues in a political forum to ensure the needs of heart children and their families remain firmly in the limelight.
We had a strong response from our members who wanted to try new ideas of fundraising and several schools in the area got very involved.
Below are just some of the events members and supporters of our Association organised during heart week. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part and supported us.
In no particular order...
Christchurch Primary in Aughton
... had a balloon launch of their own, raising £520. They were beset by difficulties with a wayward gas canister, but otherwise all went well, selling heart shaped cookies and cakes.
Fledglings Day nursery in Bramhall
...had a wear red day, painted hearts on their faces and made valentines cards, raising £80 and attracting the Stockport Express.
Michelin Shared Service Centre in Manchester
... had a balloon sale and collection and raised £150.
Swinton High School in Manchester
... raised £206, selling balloons and having a valentine delivery service.
More Than insurance in Liverpool
...raised £150 with a raffle, cakes sale and book sale. Val Frew led this and her mum cooked 100's of cakes through the night, to satisfy demand!
Kids Unlimited nursery in Wilmslow
... raised £34 wearing red for the day.
Waterloo Primary and Nursery school in Ashton under Lyne
... baked biscuits in school and sold them to parents.
Corinthian School
... had a whole week of activities, with a visit to Alder Hey on St. Valentines Day, in limos, to help with the launch. On the last day of the week the children all gathered in the playground, into the shape of a heart and the head took a photo of them all, with the assistance of the fire service who are based next door. The fire service allowed the head to go up in the hoist, to get an aerial photo.
Other events took place and we would again like to say a huge Thank You to anyone who got involved with an event. Please tell us what you did so you can be recognised in our hall of Fame!!. Also, please email through any photos you took during the events and we'll might just add them to the website!Balloon launches
There were three St. Valentines day Balloon Launches in the region, one at Alder Hey, one at Pendlebury, and one in Macclesfield.Liverpool
We were lucky enough to have John Ruddy from Everton, join with the children from Corinthian School, and lots of Children and staff from Ward K2, who made this a great event.
Manchester
Several families turned up and the balloons were released at the front of the hospital.
Macclesfield
The launch, a promotional event went well attracting the Macclesfield Express.
There was a balloon sale in Manchester on February 12th. The weather was truly despicable! We managed to raise an amazing £945. A huge thanks to everyone involved. Hope you have dried out and warmed up!!
To close Heart Week, we held a party at Catalyst in Warrington to celebrate everyone's achievements and look forward to doing it all again next year. There was great food, an entertainer, craft table, face painting and a chance to look around catalyst, an interactive science centre in Widnes. This was well attended and everyone had a great time.
We want to start planning next years events as soon as possible, so any ideas or offers of help are already welcome. Thanks.
