Flemings Children’s Trust

Founded in 1949, the aim of the Flemings Children's Trust is to improve the quality of life of sick children at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust.

Over the years, the scope of the Trust has increased from supporting a small children's hospital to supporting children in the three Newcastle hospitals and in the community. Its initial purpose was to provide comforts for the children, and while they now fund large pieces of medical equipment, the Trust is still true to its roots and continues to spend money on simple toys. Grants in excess of £155,084 were made during 2004.

Flemings Children's Trust was set up to:

• Alleviate deprivation (evidenced by empirical research)
• Enable staff to access suitable sites to aid therapy and recovery
• Give siblings something to do whilst visiting, allowing parents to spend more time with their sick child
• Aid children's educational development.

The main challenges the Trust faces are securing funding, ensuring there are sufficient staff and volunteers to run activities, conducting ongoing maintenance, and co-ordinating all of their partners.

The Trust has recently worked with the Newcastle Health Care Charity, resulting in the joint funding of medical equipment. This successful cooperation is bringing together other charitable bodies with the plan to launch a major fund-raising campaign to develop and reorganise children's services. The Trust have also recently received over £40,000 of donations from Newcastle United Football Club and the provision of a fully equipped and resourced office from Accenture, a management consultant company.

Quotes

“Many children will benefit from the equipment over the coming years and we would like to express our gratitude to the Fleming Trust.” — Bruce Jaffrey, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Senior Lecturer

“Thank you for our new bedside lockers!” — The children and staff of Ward 26

“Thank you for providing the refreshments for the Memorial Service.” — Sister Dot Ruddy, Ward 3

“I am writing to pass on an overwhelming 'thank you' to the FCT. We are absolutely thrilled to be so well supported by you in the provision of the equipment. This equipment will allow us to improve the quality of the service children receive during their hospital stay in terms of activity, therapeutic choices, sensory stimulation and communication methods.” — Jen Reynolds, Senior Occupational Therapist, Newcastle General Hospital