Patients at Andy’s Children’s Hospice were sky high this week after the Red Arrows flew in to hand over an incredible £5,000 donation.

Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall, Chair of the Red Arrows Trust, visited the hospice from the aerobatics display team’s base in Waddington, with Wing Commander Adam Collins and Squadron Leader Doug Smith.

The trio were also joined by Trustee Rachel Huxford as they presented Andy’s with a cheque for £5,000, which has funded a specialist bed, suitable for our patients’ broad range of complex needs.

AVM Waterfall said the money is raised through the sale of merchandise such as flight suits at events like Armed Forces Day, which they will be attending in Cleethorpes later this month.

“We’re really keen to help and support local causes. I flew in the Red Arrows and do a lot of work for charity, I’m from Lincolnshire and firmly believe we’re working together to make the lives of others much easier.

“We’re delighted to be able to present this money to Andy’s. It’s an amazing place with amazing children and amazing staff, and it’s wonderful to see people here so happy.”

Wg Cdr Collins, who is Officer Commanding of the aerobatic team, said he found the visit to be “incredibly humbling”.

“One of the main perks of the job, aside from the flying, is being able to visit people and make a difference in some small way, even if it’s just putting a smile on someone’s face.

“It’s a rewarding experience and seeing that this bed that’s been funded by the Red Arrows Trust will be put to such good use is incredible.”

Sqn Ldr Smith, Chief of Staff, also commented: “This is incredibly important to us as a team, not just the Trust but the Red Arrows as well. It’s very much part and parcel of what we do in terms of ground engagement and what we try to achieve as a team.

“It’s fabulous, even if we can just give an hour’s worth of joy to somebody, it’s absolutely brilliant. It makes us proud to be in the Red Arrows.”
The Red Arrows were greeted by an incredible display of red, white and blue created by Andy’s staff and patients – with cut out planes, bunting, plane-shaped biscuits, towel art and even a papier mâché airplane.

And the team spent over an hour chatting to patients, families and hospice staff, handing out stickers, posters, rulers, books and other memorabilia.
Lead Nurse Sally Szollosi said: “This amazing donation has enabled us to buy a specially adapted bed, which will suit the huge range of very complex needs across our patients.

“We have all been so excited to meet the Red Arrows, but also to have the opportunity to get together. A lot of our patients and families are facing similar challenges, so it’s nice for them to be able to come together like this.”

Kate Hunneysett, whose son Elliot is a patient at Andy’s, said: "Today's been really good for them to actually see and meet the Red Arrows pilots! Having them here is something different and it's great to be a part of it.

“Elliot is non-verbal and tube fed but he’s just so happy, and coming to the hospice gives him a really good quality of life. The respite is fab, just for me, my husband and daughter to have time together. I can’t see how we’d cope without him come to the hospice.”

Tracey Clayden, who attended the event with granddaughter Clara, added: “I think these events are really important, especially for children like Clara.

“We can't go to things like Armed Forces Day because it's so busy, so this gives her the opportunity to do activities with things that she wouldn't necessarily encounter. It's great that she can actually have a more individual experience and not have to miss out."

Deputy Chief Executive Lesley Charlesworth-Browne also commented: “We are incredibly grateful to the Red Arrows Trust for funding this specialist bed for the Children’s Unit, which ordinarily would be something we would really have to save for.

“The cost of running all aspects of the hospice now is approaching £18,000 a day and we rely on the generosity of our community to fund a significant part of that, so our fundraising endeavours are as important as ever.”