Yahoo News North Tyneside woman raising money to make Christmas magical for children in hospital
A NHS worker who required emergency open-heart surgery ten years ago is returning to the hospital where she was treated to deliver Christmas gifts to children.
Calli Tully, 27, who was born with a hole in her heart, needed the emergency surgery in 2014 to remove a muscle mass that had developed. When she was in hospital she noticed the number of children who were going to be spending Christmas there rather than at home, and decided she wanted to do something.
She set up Calli's Heart Campaign and started fundraising in 2017. "I wanted to give back to the ward, and I was taken back by how many children were actually going to be in hospital over Christmas. When it happened [needing open heart surgery], you think you’re the only one going through it, but then to realise there’s so many children as well, and even getting talking to families you don’t realise some people are literally spending their last Christmas in hospital.
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"I thought what could I do to give back? So I started my own page on Facebook and just went from there. Fundraising events, bonus ball, public and businesses donating vouchers. And then it’s literally took off. I take in special bravery badges after a child has had open heart surgery. Anything the ward need they'll get in touch. Last summer they got in touch saying they needed some new play equipment for outside, so I fundraised and bought the new equipment."
Calli who spent time on Ward 23 in the Freeman Hospital, also takes in 'Santa Ste' to the hospital as well. "He’s absolutely amazing. He donates his time on Christmas Eve morning to come in and give kids presents so that’s magical as well for them."
This year was also special for Calli, as she was shortlisted to the final four for the Pride of Britain Awards, for Fundraiser of the Year. On being shortlisted she said: "I got a call off someone from ITV News and they told us I had been shortlisted and they wanted to come out and video. I was really overwhelmed when I got that phone call, because I don’t do it for the publicity, I do it to see the kids smile and make memories."
