Connor and the Grafters

[shadow]

Can I bring to peoples attention this young lads efforts to raise funds for the Grafters Club based at the RVI burns unit.

Connor suffered 90% burns at his home in 2009 and his recovery is nothing short of miraculous.What he and his familly have been through cannot be properly described-I met Connor and his family recently and I know that they went to Hell and back.I met them at an event organised by the Grafters club and my son has also fairly recently been to a burns weekend organised by them that saw his confidence grow to a degree you wouldnt believe.He was one of twelve kids that went-from the North East.

I can tell you now that a trip to the burns ward is never easy and the rooms are always full.The screams from the dressing changes are something I hope people never have to hear-I listened to a three year old girl with scalds go through it last week and her mother was in bits in the parents room after.

Other than the Grafters there is no other support group in the North East and they really struggle for funds.We will be sponsoring Connor on Wednesday when my hubbie gets paid.So far they have had one donation-of two pounds.

So I'm asking people to consider sponsoring Connor-these kids go through pain you cant imagine-but when you meet up with them again,scars and all-happy to see each other cos they arent alone well thats ****.

Connor-respect from all of us

And sorry-the links.....

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-e ... -26925014/

http://www.justgiving.com/Carol-Rowntree

[Ann1]

Good cause shads Also anyone donating, remember to tick the "UK taxpayer" box, they get extra money for the charity

[shadow]

Just bumping this up.

I think people would be surprised at just how many children **** through the burns unit every week and that is reflected in the growing numbers of families we meet at the events organised by the grafters which is itself still a relatively new support group.There isnt anything similar in the North East but it quietly carries on with the efforts of four RVI outreach staff providing support and organising so much in the back ground without any funding.

Grafters is a group worthy of support and Connor himself deserves a bloody medal for doing what hes doing so soon -and it is soon after what he and his family have gone through-for other kids and families.

Please give it a glance

[shadow]

I was speaking to one of the staff who organises the Grafters events today about what the Grafters hope to acheive next year for young people with burns.

As I mentioned each year they organise a "burns weekend" where young people aged 7 to 12 spend a couple of days doing activities and having fun with other young people with burns and scarring and feeling that its not just them-they can talk and compare experiences with other kids in a way that its not possible for them to do with us as our experiences as parents are very different.These weekends have been limited by age and numbers.

But the Grafters hope next year to go to a new place in Hexham which could accomodate 20 kids up to the age of eighteen.

Connors fundraising could help this happen and again I'll ask people to spare a couple of quid to help make it happen.

Even one quid would help.

[Four_Rums]

have done shadski.

[beamer1]

i just noticed the links!

[shadow]

Today was quite a difficult day for us on ward11-a two hour dressing change which we hadnt expected but my lads donor site got infected and taking the dressing down was a bit traumatic.All is well thanks to the dedication and care of the nurses and I had the opportunity to talk tonight to one of the Grafters organisers to express how I felt.

They phoned me.

To those of you that have looked at Carols site and contributed-I cant thank you enough.

[ALF2]

very good cause shads,but nobody likes a tin rattler,not even a virtual one on here

[patsie]

Alf - cannot believe that post - from you, of all people

[ALF2]

Alf - cannot believe that post - from you, of all people

i'm not being unkind here pats,but how many of us in truth have looked the other way or even crossed the road ? thousands of us,every day,i.we can't save everybody,it's a cold hard fact of life

[shadow]

I have to rattle the tin Alf.

Would any of you have heard of the Grafters if I didnt?

We often read in the papers about fundraisers and of course if your family is affected by something you raise the issue.

I'm aware that people give to many charities-so many of us have relatives affected by cancer,stroke etc and they are emotive subjects but so are burns.

I'm still saying-a pound?

[Ann1]

It's a very good cause alf, and it's local, that must be worth a quid?

[ALF2]

yes it's true shads,you do have to rattle that tin,and ever more loudly in these days of belt tightning,but if i had my way,charities would be outlawed,they are dinosaurs in a modern world . i understand your feelings on this,and wish the lad and his family well,what right minded person would'nt? all i'm saying,it's time for the state to own up to it's responsablty and fund these causes in a proper manner,instead of harvesting brownie points when they spend money earned from the lottery on the whitest of white elephants,such as 50 million quid on the royal opera house,for the chosen elite 50 fri gging million!!! how many skin grafts could that pay for? how many much-needed transplants that save and bring life anew to those of us at deaths waiting room could be funded by the chunks of cash that is frittered away without a single thought to enter our so called educated politicians empty heads that in times of great need and canny housekeeping , bread must always come before cake?

[shadow]

Im not bothered about the royal opera house Alf-like yourself it sickens me how money is spent on stupid things.

You think if anyone donates to the Grafters it will just be another anonymous donation.

Perhaps but I'll do my best to tell you what what the donation means.

So-I'm Marika

[Four_Rums]

i tried to reply to a pm but it is still in my outbox and not in sent box.

did you get it?