Carter The Brave Hits £500,000 Fundraising Milestone

We’re shining a spotlight on superstar supporter and patient mum, Lucy Chatting, after the fundraising group she set up when her son received a life-changing diagnosis, hit the incredible £500,000 milestone.

Lucy, 53, from Lichfield, began the Carter the Brave fundraising group for our charity in 2016, after her son Carter, who was four years old at the time, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia – a type of cancer which affects white blood cells.  Carter was admitted to our hospital where he immediately began an intense course of chemotherapy.

The diagnosis was a bombshell for the whole family, but the care and attention he received inspired Lucy to start fundraising to say thank you to our hospital staff as well as improve the experience of other children being treated at our hospital.

Along with her husband, Matthew, and family including Carter and his big sister, Monica, Lucy set herself an initial ambitious fundraising target of £3,000. However, the organisation of events such as hill climbs, mud runs, coffee mornings and concerts, not to mention Carter the Brave’s first charity ball, which has now become an annual event, under Lucy’s passionate direction the group raised over an incredible £52,000 in its first year.

Thankfully, Carter has come through his treatment and is in remission, but Lucy hasn’t stopped. She continues to pour her heart into fundraising for us and inspiring others to join her and Carter the Brave.

Lucy herself has swam a marathon, completed the London Marathon dressed as Jessie the cowgirl from Toy Story and mobilised a 28-strong group of friends and family to take on our Sahara Trek, which saw her and Matthew walk over 100km through the largest desert in the world in Carter’s name. This incredible challenge raised over £111,000, pushing Carter the Brave’s total fundraising for our hospital over £500,000.

All of the money Lucy and Carter the Brave have raised has had a huge impact inside our hospital. They’ve funded research projects– including one into a new way of treating leukaemia – purchased medical equipment and gaming facilities, gifted amazon vouchers to patients on the wards and much, much more to help improve care and experiences for oncology patients.

As recognition for Lucy’s incredible fundraising feats and support, she has received the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Fundraising’ at our prestigious annual Hundred Heroes award ceremony multiple times.

Lucy said: “Birmingham Children’s Hospital was there for our family in a way you never hope you’ll need. We were incredibly grateful for the care, treatment and love Carter received, and my fundraising began as a personal thank you for that.

“I still can’t believe how Carter the Brave has grown and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together and thankful for the astounding support we’ve received from our community to try and make a difference to patients in the same position as Carter.”

Miranda Williams, Director of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Lucy is a force to be reckoned with and witnessing her passion for her son and our hospital has been truly inspirational.

“In just under a decade, Lucy and Carter the Brave has raised over half a million pounds to support countless brave patients and there simply aren’t enough words to convey our gratitude for her commitment and contribution. Congratulations Lucy, on this phenomenal milestone. We’re so thankful.”