Football rivals Ards and Bangor came together for a special community Football and Fun Day ‘Rivals for Good’ event which has raised over £6,000 to help purchase vital paediatric equipment for the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital.
The fundraising initiative was inspired by Bangor parents, Nadine and Ryan Chambers after their daughter Alex who, in December 2023, suffered a sudden and devastating brain haemorrhage at just 18 months old. Alex was rushed to the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department where she was taken directly to the Resuscitation Unit and cared for by a team of 23 healthcare professionals before being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
The football and fun day event brought players, families and supporters together at Clandeboye Park in Bangor for a day celebrating football, inclusion and community spirit with one shared goal, improving emergency care for children and supporting local families.
The event also saw the South Eastern Trust’s Senior Communications Officer, Joy Kennedy take to the pitch with her club, Rosario Women’s Social Team. The team enjoyed a 6-1 victory against Cloughy FC as part of the day’s football tournament.
Nadine explained: “On the 8 December 2023, we found Alex incredibly unwell and made a 999 call. She was completely unresponsive and we had to resuscitate her.
“When the ambulance crew arrived, they needed to get her to the closest hospital so they could stabilise her and that was the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department. Alex was incredibly unwell when they brought her in. They were not entirely sure what had happened, but they knew she was very, very sick.
“She had aspirated vomit and they just needed to stabilise her and keep her well enough and keep her alive for the Specialist Team from the Royal Victoria Hospital to arrive.
“It later transpired that Alex had an ‘AVM’ which is a malfunctioning vessel in her brain. With her growth that had basically burst and caused a massive brain haemorrhage. That has left ongoing brain damage, but she is still recovering from it and she is recovering really well.”
Nadine added, “This was Alex’s first stop and this will be many other children’s first stop for emergency care too. Every hospital should be equipped and ready with everything that they need.”
The funds raised will help the Emergency Department purchase equipment specifically identified to support children in emergency care. The equipment such as a silent Nebuliser, used for young children or older children with Learning Disabilities. A Vein Finder that helps locate veins that are not visible to the eye which reduces the discomfort and distress of failed attempts to draw blood/insert cannulas etc. A baby/neonatal mannequin for training. Distraction and sensory toys that are used to help calm and distract children during examinations or procedures and enhanced sensory equipment to help create an environment where children who need a quiet, low-stimulation space can feel settled and supported.
South Eastern Trust, Emergency Department Deputy Sister, Nicole Cathcart said the equipment could make a significant difference to children and their families during what can be an extremely distressing experience.
Nicole explained: “One of the pieces of equipment that we are going to purchase is a Vein Finder. This will reduce attempts by junior staff in emergency situations to allow the cannula to be inserted a lot quicker and hopefully then it can allow treatment to start quicker for the patients.
“We also hope to purchase some sensory toys for the children to help reduce stress and anxiety and just calm them. These help to provide a calming environment for them as well as for the parents. Whenever children come into the Emergency Department, it can make a massive impact on children just to reduce stress and anxiety. It will help the parents as well because when children are upset it saves a lot of trauma for children.”
Emergency Medicine Specialty Doctor, Dr Jonny Taylor said the impact of this equipment could be significant for children experiencing emergency care, “Most of the children we are seeing here are probably having the worst day of their year and maybe the worst day of their life. So any little thing that we can do that makes that day a bit better is vital. If we can get it right first attempt with the Vein Finder, or if we can calm them down with a toy or something sensory, those little things make such a difference.
“You cannot really describe what it is like for us as staff and for parents seeing their kids distressed and for the child themselves. The toys and equipment will help calm children, whether that is sensory equipment for children who are neurodiverse or have additional needs or simply for any child who is distressed. It is amazing what a teddy, a light or something sensory can do.
“Obviously that evening whenever Nadine brought Alex in was quite traumatic, so things like this will help make that patient journey that little bit easier.”
Nicole stated, “The fact that the family, with everything they have been through and how sick their child was, are helping other families, is just amazing. The charities they are supporting are fantastic and the fact that they have picked us is so lovely.”
Nadine commented, “I think that every child coming through the door should get the treatment that they need and that the staff have the equipment to provide the best possible care. If we can make a difference for another family, then that’s what it’s all about.”