UHNM senior clinician volunteers on BBC Children in Need project in memory of son
A senior clinician from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has taken part in a televised BBC Children in Need project as a thank you to the charity that supported her family during her son’s cancer treatment.
Claire Carrick, head of orthoptics and refractive optometry, volunteered alongside the DIY SOS team as part of a BBC Children in Need-supported project to help construct a new specialist support centre for national charity The Joshua Tree.
Claire’s son Noah was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer at just 16 months old and sadly passed away aged four in March 2018.
Claire said: “We knew from the beginning that it was going to be difficult to treat, but The Joshua Tree supported us all the way through giving us opportunities to go out and do things together as a family. After Noah passed away they continued to support us with counselling.
“Volunteering on this build was my way of saying thank you for everything they gave to us and giving something back to the next families who will unfortunately need their support.”
To avoid any disruptions to its service, The Joshua Tree successfully secured support from BBC Children in Need allowing them to expand their headquarters to include overnight accommodation in just 12 days.
Claire was supported by UHNM and able to take annual leave to volunteer alongside her 72-year-old mum, Christine.
Claire said: “On the first day we turned up not really knowing what to expect. We were worried we might be more of a problem than a help, but we were really involved. Some days there were five volunteers, on others there were 40. We were all matched to tasks based on what we could manage physically, which helping to lift and shift, carry bricks, go up onto the roof and carry double glazing. I even learned how to insulate a building, which I’d never done in my life.
“On day one there were only foundations and a crude steel frame, but by day two the walls were going up. It was phenomenal to see it happen in just 12 days just like on the television, it completely blew my mind.”
Claire and her family have been invited back to visit the completed centre on Children in Need Day.
Claire said: “I have never been so tired in my life, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Fundraising is important, but physically helping means we’ve left something lasting. It’s something I can return to and say, I helped do that.”
Ceri Sedgley, chief allied health professional (AHP) at UHNM, said: “We’re all so proud of Claire, she is a fabulous ambassador for our staff and AHPs and has shown incredible resilience during such a sad time.”
The DIY SOS: The Big Build programme featuring The Joshua Tree will be broadcast on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 13 November, and will feature during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Night on Friday 14 November.
