Children at Abacus Pre-School, based in the Poplar Rooms on North Road, Stoke Gifford, have been wearing their ‘wrong trousers’ in order to raise money for the ‘Grand Appeal’, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity.

During the week beginning Monday 10th June, the children made a donation in order to wear some wacky trousers to their pre-school sessions. Throughout the week, the children, as well as the staff, turned up wearing pyjama bottoms, brightly coloured leggings and trousers with a multitude of patterns on them. The donations given, added to money raised at a cake sale at the recent Stoke Gifford Fête, totalled £142.

The Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity is a charity that is very close to the hearts of those at Abacus as one of their own children, Brodi, has unfortunately had to spend a lot of time at the hospital in recent months. Here is Brodi’s story, recounted by his mum, Maria:

“In March 2018 Brodi underwent a full body MRI scan to get answers to a growth in his skull. Results showed Brodi has a condition called a Chiari Malformation; this is where the base of the brain (cerebellum) is descending into the spinal canal reducing the flow of CSF fluid to the brain.”

“Some adults and children can live with this condition and never experience any symptoms or need for intervention, however, on 10th November 2018 Brodi woke in the night crying with head pain and being sick, he had also lost all feeling in his legs. After numerous tests and scans at the wonderful Bristol Children’s hospital it was apparent Brodi had a large build-up of fluid within his brain. The doctors were quick to react and Brodi had a shunt insertion to reduce the pressure of the build-up. After a 2 week stay in hospital Brodi was allowed home to continue his recovery.”

More: Events at all Abacus settings raised a total of £256 »

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The Barnardo’s charity shop located on Ratcliffe Drive in Stoke Gifford (next door to Tesco Express) will be holding a fun day on Saturday 1st June.

After the success of last year’s ‘raise £1,000 in a month’ challenge, staff at the store have been asked to complete the task again. In 2018, the target was set in September and through a variety of fundraising events, the store was able to raise nearly £1,300. This year, they are hoping to exceed the target by an even greater margin.

The fun day is taking place at the store between 10.30am and 4pm. There will be a whole host of activities, including a bouncy castle (weather permitting), cake sale, raffle and lucky dip. There is even going to be a take-away cream tea stall where you can buy a scone with jam and clotted cream and a tea bag – to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

The members of staff who are organising the fun day are also looking for volunteers – whether it is to help on the day or to donate cakes or prizes. If this is something that you think you might be interested in, please contact store associates Julie Britt or Natasha Kirby by popping into the shop or calling 0117 931 4115.

Photo: Fun day at the Stoke Gifford Barnardo’s store in 2018.

This article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (on page 18). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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In the January issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal, we saw local resident Tony Giles hand over a cheque for £2,000 to the charity Above and Beyond, who raise vital funds for hospitals in the centre of Bristol. This month, Tony has already reached his next target of raising another £1,000 for the charity.

On Sunday 10th February, at the Beaufort Arms in Stoke Gifford, a cheque was presented to Above and Beyond for the Meadow Ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital. The Meadow Ward is a surgical ward and the money raised will be used to purchase new play equipment for the children to use both before and after their surgeries.

Speaking after the cheque presentation, Tony said:

“There was a really good turnout for the presentation of the £1,000 and I am really happy that we have reached the target already. I have received lots of positive feedback which makes it all worthwhile.”

Lydia McGivern, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the charity, said:

“We are so grateful to Tony and everyone at the Beaufort Arms for their amazing support. In the last three years they have raised over £5,000 for Bristol city centre hospitals, supporting areas including bowel cancer research, children’s cardiac services and children’s cancer services. This donation will go to Meadow Ward, the day case surgical unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where young patients prepare for surgery. This can be a frightening time, and the support of the Beaufort Arms will help to make the ward as comfortable as possible.”

More: Tony’s next fundraising challenge is already taking shape »

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Terminal illness charity Marie Curie is seeking the help of volunteers from across the Stokes to give two hours of their time to hand out the charity’s iconic daffodil pins, in return for donations.

The charity’s annual fundraiser, the Great Daffodil Appeal, takes place in February and March, and Marie Curie are hoping to get more people than ever wearing the daffodil pin.

This year, the local Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group will be collecting at:

• Friday 15th February – Thornbury Tesco
• Friday 22nd February – Bradley Stoke Tesco Extra
• Thursday 28th February, Friday 1st & 2nd March – Cribbs Causeway Morrisons
• Thursday 28th February – Patchway Asda
• 28th, 29th & 30th March – Filton Asda
• Saturday 6th April – The Mall Cribbs Causeway

Jane Marshal, fundraising group chair, said:

“I collect every year for the Great Daffodil Appeal. It is a fun and easy way to get involved in your local community whilst at the same time knowing you are making a big difference to families facing the toughest of times.”

“Could you please spare an hour or two to help us collect? If so, please contact the Five Stokes Fundraising Group on 07909 966367 or email thefivestokesfundraisinggroup@gmail.com”

To find out more about what the Marie Curie charity does to help those with a terminal illness, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk or to find out more about the Marie Curie Five Stokes Fundraising Group, visit their Facebook page.

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal news magazine (on page 23). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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