SAIF Golden Charter

Amazing fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital

A grand Valentine’s ball was the finale of an amazing fundraising year which saw the West family raise a staggering £135,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

As you would have previously read in SAIFInsight, the fourth generation of the West & Coe family business, Jamie West and his wife Jade, had their second daughter Eva in October 2017. Several days later she was diagnosed with H-Type Tracheoesophageal Fistula, an abnormal connection between the airways and food pipe which meant small amounts of milk were entering Eva’s lungs while feeding.

Shortly afterwards in Great Ormond Street Hospital, Eva underwent a life-saving operation and has been under their fantastic care with several more operations since.

So rare is this condition that it affects only one in 100,000 babies, hence the £100,000 target the West family set themselves to raise.

During the year so many people have contributed, including the incredible Three Peak Climbers, Brian Hart, Bob Spittle, Catherine Betley, Ross Hickton, Arran Brudenell and Simon Rossitor. A football and rugby tournament, golf days, sky diving, a coffee morning and many other interesting events have been held. The campaign has also been SAIF’s President Alun’s charity for the year.

To coincide with the date Eva first came out of hospital – 14 February 2018 – a Valentine’s ball was held recently which more than 370 people attended, including star of the evening, Eva, and her lovely sister Anneli.

The spectacular event was, hosted by Jamie West and friend Brian Stock, and including comedian Hal Cruttenden and the top band Jazz Dynamos. With several amazing auction items and a raffle, a staggering £39,000 was raised on the night, smashing the target they had set by some way.

Jamie said: “It’s truly amazing what has been achieved. We are all faced with challenges in life, but, if you can change fear and worry into something positive it can really make a difference; we certainly hope the money we have raised will help the next family receive the truly wonderful care and support we have from at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“We cannot thank the staff enough for giving us the opportunity and moment to hold ‘our girl’.

“Though not yet out of the woods, Eva is coping well with her tracheostomy and is learning to communicate using sign language. She just doesn’t stop smiling. “A big thank you to all for your fantastic support and generosity.”