An 18-year-old is wearing his favourite superhero costume for a whole month to raise money for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) after his brother received treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC), in Edinburgh.
Eddie Gomer-Fell, of Galashiels, has vowed to dress up as fantasy comic book star Green Arrow until 8th April to show his gratitude for the wealth of services provided by the charity outwith NHS provision.
The Edinburgh College student’s younger brother Tom was admitted to the hospital aged ten, following serious problems with his legs and hip joints. Thankfully, Tom has fully recovered from his condition but still remembers the three consecutive years he spent in need of treatment.
Eddie said: “Tom’s illness really made us all appreciate the services on offer at RHSC and the fundamental organisations, like SKFF, that are instrumental in making them happen.
“I’m so thankful of Tom’s recovery that I decided to come up with a fun, unique and unusual fundraiser.
“I’ve worn my Green Arrow costume to college already, and will have to wear it on an aeroplane and at the pub over the next few weeks! Although I’m getting some pretty strange looks, I hope I will encourage more people to donate to the SKFF.”
He continued: “It was a very difficult time for our family when Tom was admitted to hospital, however the accommodation provided by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation meant my mum could stay by his side at all times.
“I’m taking on this wacky challenge because I want to give something back to the charity that made life so much easier for our family at a time when we were all so worried about my brother’s health.”
The SKFF spends £30,000 each year to fund PJ’s Loft and other parent accommodation in the RHSC. This investment allows the charity to provide vital rooms, living areas and showers for parents whose children are admitted to hospital overnight.
Rachel McKenzie, head of community fundraising and events at SKFF, said: “At the Sick Kids Friends Foundation we encourage our supporters to ‘Be a Superhero for Sick Kids’ and Eddie is the perfect example of one of our ultimate fundraising champions.
“We’re delighted to hear that SKFF-funded services made such a positive difference to the Fell family’s experience in hospital and wish Eddie the best of luck in completing this fantastic challenge.”
To follow Eddie’s superhero journey visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI0rRT832JE or sponsor Eddie at www.justgiving.com/Superforsickkids.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
