Brownie’s Book Challenge Raised Big Bucks For Brum’s Sick Kids

A young Brownie Guide from Redditch who read 50 books in the space of 30 days raised over £2,085 for us, as thanks for the care she’s received at our hospital since she was born.

Eight-year-old Lydia Pountney was tasked by her Brownie group leader to earn her ‘Charities’ badge, which meant either volunteering or raising money for charity, and Lydia knew exactly which cause she wanted to support.

Diagnosed with Spina Bifida before she was even born, Lydia has spent more than her fair share of time at our hospital. The condition meant Lydia’s spinal cord hadn’t formed properly, leaving a gap in her spine which needed closing as soon as she was born. At just a few hours old, Lydia was whisked away from her mum, Charlotte, at our sister hospital, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, to our hospital, where surgeons performed the precarious operation.

After a week, Charlotte and her husband, Ross, were allowed to take baby Lydia home for the first time, but the next day, Lydia began to show signs of sepsis, and she was blue-lighted back to our hospital where she spent three weeks receiving life-saving treatment on the hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Eventually, Lydia was well enough to return home where she went from strength to strength. Lydia’s condition means she walks with the aid of splints and sometimes uses a wheelchair, but she never lets that stop her doing things she enjoys, like Brownies.

Lydia’s mum, Charlotte said: “There was never any doubt in Lydia’s mind about which charity she would support for her Brownie badge. We still spend a lot of time at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for follow up appointments and check-ups and Lydia just feels so comfortable there. Everyone is so friendly and the care she’s received is second to none, it’s a truly incredible place and without it, Lydia may not be here.”

Determined to earn her badge and raise funds for the hospital that saved her, Lydia suggested a sponsored silence. But amused by the notion, her mum, Charlotte, suggested a sponsored reading challenge instead. Lydia initially set herself a 20-book target but she soon realised she could achieve more, reading over twice as many.

Lydia said: “I wasn’t too keen on reading before but now I really enjoy it! My two favourite books were ‘Horrid Henry Football Fiend’ and ‘My Naughty Little Sister’, they made me laugh. I’m really proud and the money I have raised is mind blowing!”

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Reading 50 books in a month is no mean feat and it showed double dedication from Lydia, who chose to support our hospital and charity whilst completing her Brownie badge.

“The fantastic funds Lydia raised will go towards helping us do more for the 100,000 sick kids our hospital treats every single year.”