We're thrilled that so many of our supporters have had the honour of becoming Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay baton-bearers, thanks to their contribution to charity. Here, we've highlighted just four of the many.

Three our supporters took on their relay in Lichfield. It started with the wonderful Emma Hill. Emma founded the Magic of Milly fundraising group in 2015 following the death of her daughter, from a rare congenital heart defect, just before her second birthday. She spent much of her young life in our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and Emma has raised thousands for the unit since the group’s inception.  

Following Emma’s relay, it was the formidable Lucy Chatting’s turn. Lucy (pictured in the top banner) was first inspired to fundraise after her son, Carter, 10, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when he was just four-years-old. The impact Lucy and her fundraising group, Carter The Brave has had on our hospital is immense. Most recently they have chosen to support our Research department, funding vital and life-saving research into finding more effective paediatric cancer treatments. 

Lucy said: “I was absolutely delighted to be nominated, and to then be chosen – it’s such an honour. I was quite emotional on the day, just thinking about how far Carter has come, and all we’ve achieved through Carter The Brave. Our motivation has always been supporting kids with cancer and I’m just one of the many people who has dedicated so much of their time to fundraising for the hospital. I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to fly the flag – or in this case carry the baton – on behalf of the whole team. It was a proud day for us all.” 

Finally, the baton was handed over to the brilliant Beth Dennis. Beth is a student nurse at our hospital, as well as a dedicated volunteer and charity advocate. Last year, she donated many hours of her time, amidst her packed schedule, to help us at charity events and has been instrumental in securing significant donations for us. 

A couple of days later, the intrepid Neil Taylor took to the streets of Bridgnorth for his relay. Neil was first inspired to fundraise after his daughter, Kiahna, 15, received five life-saving heart operations at the hospital when she was younger – the first three before the age of six months. In the 14 years since, Neil has gone to great and daring lengths to raise money for the hospital. He’s pushed himself to the limit by taking on the world-famous London, Paris and New York marathons, tackled gruelling cycle rides from London to Paris and John O’Groats to Lands’ End. He’s even completed Mount Everest Base Camp and Beyond and scaled Mount Kilimanjaro. 

He said: “I am so honoured to have taken part in the relay, especially as the games are happening locally. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity! All of my fundraising efforts have been to support kids like my daughter, Kiahna. My family are immensely proud of me – although Kiahna was a little bit embarrassed about all the attention – but to be in this wonderful position all these years later is a true privilege.” 

A massive congratulations to Emma, Lucy, Beth and Neil - and to all our other supporters! We're immensely proud of you all and so pleased you've been recognised in this way.