Although Motik was not treated there, his autopsy took place there, and we felt that contributing to the research and treatment of child disease and sickness in his name was very right.
Over £9,000 was raised in a few weeks, and the generosity of the donations astonished not only us but also the hospital itself.
Donations continued to come in over the twelve months after he died, and on March 14th 2012, the first anniversary of his death, the combined total of on and off-line donations passed £10,000.
The tribute page is still open for donations and can be accessed at:
Peter and Andrew were given a tour of the hospital on February 14th 2012, and below is an extract from an e-mail we received with details of what the donations will help them to do:
Dear Mr O’Mahony,
Many thanks for coming into the hospital yesterday, it was lovely to see you again and meet Peter and we hope you found the tour informative and helpful.
I wanted to let you know about a rare diseases project that has come to light which you may be interested in. We will be seeking funding for a new laboratory space to help advance the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases in children. Scientific breakthroughs and new technology mean that we can now provide treatments and in some cases cures for some treatments that were previously untreatable or impossible to diagnose a few years ago. This includes a better understanding of our genetic code to aid diagnosis and the development of new treatments such as gene, stem and cellular therapy. The new laboratories will be part of a wider project to create a new Centre for Children’s Rare Disease Research at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
If you wish, I can provide more information about this as soon as I have it.
You also mentioned how important play therapy has been for Peter and how much it has helped him so I wanted to give you some information about a new play area which we are seeking funding for.
As part of the redevelopment we will be creating a new play and dining area in the Nephrology Unit of the new Morgan Stanley Clinical Building. In the current Nephrology Unit it is difficult to offer safe, practical and dignified care. The ward environment is very constricted with little space for patients or their families. Lack of space means it is very difficult to fit the patients into a cubicle and smaller beds need to be ordered. There is a lack of appropriate facilities for acute care, which restricts the number of children that we can admit.
The Unit also lacks facilities for children to eat other than in their beds. There is one kitchen which is used by parents, staff and patients, and it does not meet health and safety requirements.
By supporting the construction of the play and dining area in the new Nephrology Unit (part of the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building) you will improve the care and experience of seriously ill children and their families.
The play and dining area will provide eating areas for young children and adolescents. Having access to a pleasant and fun space, designed just for them, will encourage them to get out of their beds and interact with others. The whole room has been designed with play in mind, with room for toys, and separate areas within the room to accommodate children and adolescents of different ages. When the building is completed, the room will house a sink, TV, chairs for children, DVD, games console and child-sized tables.
If you would like me to prepare some detailed information about this then please do let me know and I’d be happy to do this.
If I can help with anything else and if you’d like any more details on either the play therapy or the rare diseases project then I’d be happy to help. Also If you’d like to visit again with Yulia we’d be delighted to welcome you both.
Once again thank you so much for coming in yesterday and for your continued support. I hope that Peter enjoys his half term break.
Thanks
Luisa
Luisa Stravino
Senior Fundraising Executive - Tribute Giving
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
40 Bernard Street
London WC1N 1LE
40 Bernard Street
London WC1N 1LE
switchboard: (020) 7239 3000
direct line: (020) 7239 3184 (int ext. 3184)
direct line: (020) 7239 3184 (int ext. 3184)
We need to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. Amazing things happen at Great Ormond Street Hospital every day. With your help we can keep the magic alive for our very ill children and their families.
PS- Next time you celebrate a special occasion why not set up an online celebration page? You can upload photographs, and friends and family can leave messages and donations securely. Go to www.gosh.org/getbettergifts or call 020 7239 3002 for more information.