Pictured above: (l-r) Macmillan Cancer Nurse Jane Forsyth
is joined at the Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital by
Angela Clarke, of Pertemps People Development Group, cancer patient
Aidan Reeve and his father Clive, Debbie Adams, of the Teenage
Cancer Trust, and Carrie Blake, of Pertemps People Development
Group
A Birmingham Teenage Cancer Trust unit, which was hit by a cruel
thief who stole computers, computer games and DVD players, has been
given a welcome boost by generous workers.
Staff at Pertemps People Development Group acted after reading
that the computers and games, bought to help young patients cope
with their illness and treatment, had been stolen from the new
Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in
Northfield.
Every day in the UK six young people are diagnosed with cancer.
Teenage Cancer Trust funds specialist teenage cancer units in NHS
hospitals that are designed to give teenagers the very best chance
of a positive outcome. There are currently 17 of these units across
the country, including three in Birmingham.
Angela Clarke, PPDG employment coach, said: "I was really
shocked when I heard about the theft. I just couldn't believe that
anyone could be so cruel. I felt deeply upset and I had to try to
help.
"The unit is for teenagers aged 13 to 19, and they come from all
over the country for surgical procedures when they have bone
cancers. Without the Teenage Cancer Trust unit, the teenagers would
have nowhere to relax and have a bit of fun. Some of them are there
for months and so relaxation is a really important part of their
recovery.
"Teenage Cancer Trust refurbished an existing space and added in
bright colours and comfortable chairs as well as laptops,
broadband, a Nintendo Wii, Playstation, games and DVD players. The
week before the room was due to open someone broke in and stole all
the items the charity had provided. I am thrilled that we have been
able to help replace some of the items which will help young people
as they fight to recover from this terrible disease."
A contribution of £600 was awarded by staff at
Edgbaston-based employment experts Pertemps People Development
Group (PPDG), which has offices throughout Birmingham and the West
Midlands.
Angela went to the hospital with colleague Carrie Blake to hand
over the company's donation. She added: "When we went to the ward
to make the donation and meet the patients I was so touched. The
hospital staff and the charity representatives are all such amazing
people.
"The young people on the unit are so ill and yet so incredibly
brave. To be welcomed in for a tour was a huge privilege and
something that was inspirational for me. The hard work that has
gone in to it all is just outstanding and I'm pleased we were able
to help."
Sixteen-year-old patient Aidan Reeve and his father Clive, from
Ipswich, welcomed the donation. Clive said: "Aidan has suffered
from an Osteo-sarcoma, or bone tumour, in his thigh. This has been
treated with chemo-therapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge
and then removed and repaired with great surgery at Birmingham
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
"While no-one enjoys being in hospital, Aidan found the
facilities in the Teenage Cancer Trust room a welcome change to
just being on the ward, and was most grateful for the donation to
assist with replacing equipment and helping to keep the room
available for all teenagers. He found it to be a well planned room
with plenty of facilites and activities available to take his mind
off the surgery a little."
Bob Carter, regional fundraising manager for Teenage Cancer
Trust, said: "The Pertemps team acted so quickly and so
sensitively. Everyone at Teenage Cancer Trust is extremely grateful
for their support and fundraising efforts. It has been a pleasure
to work with their whole team who, we are sure, will be an
inspiration to other future supporters and we look forward to a
forthcoming working relationship with the caring company."
Teenage Cancer Trust received the donation from PPDG's Give As
You Earn (GAYE) scheme as part of its active community support
programme. PPDG workers contribute each month to a payroll giving
scheme and have donated more than £120,000 to good causes and
charities, many supporting the disabled and disadvantaged. PPDG has
been recognised by the Institute of Fundraising as operating one of
the best payroll giving schemes in the UK.
PPDG delivers the Government's Welfare to Work strategy across
the Midlands through Flexible New Deal, Work Focused Training and
other employment initiatives. PPDG is using its vast experience of
helping long-term unemployed people get back into work to help
local jobseekers secure employment opportunities.
PPDG's team of employment experts provide advice on benefits,
confidence building, one-to-one support, CV and interview
preparation as well as finding the right job or training course. In
partnership with DWP, the Ministry of Justice and Jobcentre Plus,
PPDG delivers a diverse range of employment and training
initiatives including Flexible New Deal, Working Neighbourhoods
Fund, Learndirect and many ESF funded programmes.
More than 100,000 job seekers have been helped into sustained
employment by the company since the projects began. It has trained
130,000 people in vocational skills, and over 175,000 people have
benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance
services.