Muslims around the world are fasting from dawn until dusk this Ramadan as an act of worship and to show compassion and empathy towards those who are less fortunate than them.

The children within our hospital are also often required to fast or limit their consumption of food and drink in preparation for an upcoming operation or due to a specific medical condition.

One such patient is Charlie (pictured) who, when just four years of age, was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour, and underwent a lengthy operation to remove the affected kidney. Unfortunately, a genetic condition meant that his second kidney would also later fail, and therefore Charlie would need kidney dialysis and an eventual transplant. During his time on kidney dialysis, Charlie was placed on a restricted diet, where he had to forego many foods others take for granted on a daily basis. Alongside this, he was limited to just 800ml of water a day, despite needing to take 20 tablets to aid his condition within this fluid restriction. This went on for a full year, until he was then able to receive a new kidney from his father, Les.

Could you get sponsored and fast in solidarity with sick kids, like Charlie, on a day during Ramadan or a day that’s convenient to you?

You could even celebrate the end of your challenge and break your fast with a feast, like the many millions of Muslims who will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan.

Register your sponsored fast and to help raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to those young patients who use our hospital services.