The TSL Team raise over £11,000 for Abby’s Heroes and Nerve Tumours UK
We raised £11,290 in 2023 to support two local charities: Abby’s Heroes who support the patients and families of the children’s cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital, and Nerve Tumours UK who provide medical and non-medical support to the 26,500 people in the UK living with Neurofibromatosis.
The TSL team raised an incredible £6,797 for Nerve Tumours UK and £4,474 for Abby’s Heroes, through a series of events. We had teams cycling 100 miles from London to Essex, a team of 8 completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, completing the Great South Run, pizza days, and more.
Why were we supporting these two incredible charities?
TSL’s Technical Director, Dan Jarnak, discovered both charities after his daughter, Evie, was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1, known as NF1, in 2022. Dan said: “NF1 causes tumours to grow anywhere in the body, which for Evie is impacting on her sight. Although the tumours on her optic nerve are benign, they are having severe impact on the sight in both of her eyes. She has weekly chemotherapy sessions to stunt the growth of the tumours, preserving her eyesight for as long as possible.”
Fundraising for Nerve Tumours UK
Our fundraising will support Specialist Nurse, Tracey Kenyon, in the vital support and services to people across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, including Evie. Tracey’s post is funded by the national charity, and our fundraising will support her in continuing this crucial work.
Tracey’s work is further supported by Nerve Tumours UK facilitating and collaborating with the UK’s leading researchers and universities, thus helping families like Evie’s. Tracey will work with Dan and his wife Rachel, to ensure Evie receives vital support as she grows and takes on new challenges, including starting nursery, and other major milestones.
Fundraising for Abby’s Heroes
Abby’s Heroes supports the patients and families of the Piam Brown and Teenage and Young Adult units in Southampton General Hospital. Their support helps to reduce the physical and emotional stress on patients and the financial and emotional impact on their families. The team provides play therapists, counselling services, and run weekly Pizza and Ice cream nights, provides snack boxes for when children are admitted in an emergency, and End of Treatment Awards for children.
The Abby’s Heroes team played a big role in Evie’s chemotherapy so far, and they were there from the first session, providing support and meals to Dan and Rachel at a time where they couldn’t think about their own meals, and provided Evie with a play hamper to begin her chemotherapy journey in the most positive way possible.
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us raise money for these incredible charities.
