Parents’ epic efforts raise £5,000 for local health services

Local parents and friends have raised £5,000 for Honeylands Specialist Child Assessment Centre in Exeter.

Fellow parents and friends of Charlie Palmer have raised £5,000 by supporting her in the Tris Tri Challenge – a 750m swim at Exmouth pool followed by a 20km cycle and a 5km run.

Charlie undertook the challenge to raise money for Honeylands Centre and the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where her son Tristan has received treatment for cerebral palsy and visual impairment.

One year after he was diagnosed Charlie decided she wanted to acknowledge the support she and her family received from the hospital’s Neonatal Unit and also from therapy staff at the Honeylands Centre by raising money for them.

She said: “Matt and I were astounded by the support that was out there to help Tristan. We’ve only attended sessions at Honeylands since Easter but I have such fond memories of the care he’s received. Tristan takes part in physiotherapy sessions, sensory groups and has even joined in with music therapy. All the groups are so friendly and small.”

Honeylands Specialist Child Assessment Centre in Exeter is run by Virgin Care which provides Integrated Children’s Services in Devon. Virgin Care showed its support for Charlie by matching the total of funds raised.

Two cheques were presented on behalf of Virgin Care by Jayne Carroll, Head of Integrated Children’s Services, to Charlie and representatives from the Honeylands Children’s Charity and the Royal Devon and Exeter’s Neonatal Unit and Maternity services, last week.

Jayne Carroll said: “I am so impressed by the parents and staff at Honeylands who undertook the Tris Tri Challenge. It is a tremendous achievement and Virgin Care is delighted to contribute to their incredible fundraising efforts.”

Les Christiansen, Chairman of Honeylands Children’s Charity said: “This generous contribution in addition to the funds already raised through the Tris Tri Challenge will go towards music therapy, equipment and toys and maintaining the toy library. Looking to the future we hope to extend the services the charity provides for these special children in helping them reach their full potential.”