Archive: Apr 2018

Fresh from a weekend of fantastic fundraising

Tom Baxter and Team, 24hr barberthon (April 2018, resized) Paul and Phil rowing challenge (April 2018, resized)Chocolate Ball, Robson Laidler (April 2018)

It may be Monday morning again, however there are no Monday Blues at Tiny Lives! This previous weekend (27 – 29 April) has seen three amazing fundraising events take place, all of which are the culmination of months of planning, hard-work and dedication from Tiny Lives supporters.

On Friday Night (27 April), Robson Laidler Accountants held their much-anticipated Chocolate Ball at the Biscuit Factory, complete with live music, delicious food, a tombola, auction and (of course) all things chocolatey. Tiny Lives Community and Events Fundraiser Louise Carroll was at the event to chat to attendees about the work that the charity does, and reported back that it was indeed an amazing night!

Throughout the weekend in The Gate, Newcastle, you might have spotted some tired-looking rowers on a rowing machine in the entrance. Paul and Phil, who will be taking on the Atlantic Dream Challenge in December to raise money for Tiny Lives, were attempting to break a world rowing record, raising money for Tiny Lives and The Fireman’s charity in the process. Alongside supporters and public volunteers, they needed to row continually to reach 1 million metres as quickly as possible. We’ll find out soon if they managed to succeed…

The final fundraising event this weekend was the Baxter 24 hour Barberthon, a marathon stint of hair-cutting from award-winning stylist Tom Baxter and his team. They were cutting, styling, washing and blow-drying continuously from 8.00am on Sunday 29 April – 8.00am this morning (Monday 30 April) and all they asked for in return was a donation to Tiny Lives. It was a truly incredible event, with the salon jam-packed for the duration. Special thanks go to Naomi Elliott of MN Events and Occasions, who dedicated so much time and effort to organising the event and making sure it was a success. We’d also like to thank Amore Coffee, who kindly donated a machine to supply hot drinks to everyone involved, and professional photographer Tom Hibberd, who came along to the event to shoot for free.

We’re currently totting up all the the money raised at these events, so keep your eyes peeled for totals. We can’t thank Robson Laidler, Paul, Phil, Tom and all of their supporters, colleagues and well-wishers enough for their generous support to Tiny Lives. It really does mean the world to us and will greatly benefit the whole RVI Neonatal Unit.

Baxter Barberthon photography credit – Tom Hibberd Photography

North East Co-op stores raise over £21,000 for Tiny Lives

Co-op staff hand over their amazing donation to the RVI neonatal ward

Following six months of dedicated fundraising, staff and customers in 21 Co-op Food stores across the region have raised an astonishing total of £21,054.50 for Tiny Lives, which will make a huge difference to families and babies on the RVI Neonatal Unit.

Co-op staff organised sponsored walks and bake sales, sold Tiny Lives-branded Christmas Cards and raised funds via the traditional ‘bucket’ donations from kind-hearted shoppers. The stores worked amazingly together, with fundraising across locations including Alston, Hexham, Ponteland and Wylam.

Andrew Franks, Store Manager of the Co-op food store in Ponteland, said: “It has been an absolute privilege supporting Tiny Lives over the last 6 months, the Co-op are passionate about local causes. Of course, I have to say a big thank you to my colleagues involved over the 21 stores, and most importantly the generosity of our customers, which will really help make a difference to people’s lives.’’

We are so grateful for the incredible amount of money donated by the Co-op. Support from North East businesses really means the world to us, and we’re blown away by the kindness of Co-op staff, customers and their general community!

Spaces are filling up fast for the 24hr ‘Baxter Barberthon’, all in aid of Tiny Lives

There are only a few weeks to go until local barber Tom Baxter will be picking up his clippers for the ‘Baxter Barberthon’, a 24hr stint of non-stop hairdressing to raise money for Tiny Lives.

Tom – who is the North East’s first ‘Master’ barber – usually grooms MTV celebrities and footballers, but in this case will be opening up his chair to the public and cutting hair for free. All that is asked for in exchange is a donation to Tiny Lives, which is a cause close to Tom’s heart. He was inspired to hold the event after his Godson Jacob Elliott, now aged 2, suffered a rare heart defect in utero and spent time on the Special Care Baby Unit at Newcastle’s RVI.

Joining Tom will be fellow award-winning hairdressers Lesley Stitt and Lyndsey Ford, who will be offering hair colouring, as well as cuts, as part of the 24hr event.

During the fundraiser customers can enjoy free hot drinks courtesy of local company Amore Coffee, who will be donating a machine to the cause, and there will be professional photography from local photographer Tom Hibberd.

The Barberthon will be taking place from 8.00am on Sunday 29 April – 8.00am on Monday 30 April 2018. Appointments are filling up extremely quickly, so book now to ensure your spot! You can request an appointment on the event page here, or call event organiser Naomi Elliott on 07976957460.

We’re so grateful to Tom, Naomi and the whole team for dedicating themselves to this amazing challenge – we’re sure they’ll need a strong coffee once they’re finished!

Baxter 24hrs Barberthon - April 2018

Former SCBU Mam raises £300 with Easter egg raffle

Ryan and Alex with Mum Rebeccabrother time

Rebecca McNinley, from Blakelaw, has raised an amazing £300 for the Tiny Lives Trust with an Easter egg raffle, as thanks for the care received by her son Ryan who was in the Special Care Baby Unit over Christmas 2017.

Rebecca said: “The generosity [of the ward] over Christmas was overwhelming, not just for Ryan, but also his twin brother Alex and big sister Caitlin. It made Christmas Day enjoyable even though we were all dreading it being stuck in hospital.”

We’re so glad to hear that Ryan is recovering well and want to say a big thank you to the whole family for their kind support!

Ryan and Dad

Hamsterley Tractor Club braves cold weather to raise funds for Tiny Lives

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A convoy of tractors took a 42-mile journey across Teesdale on Good Friday, with enthusiasts of all ages braving the cold to take part in this annual charity drive.

Initially just a bit of fun for members, the tractor runs are now much-anticipated charity events, raising money for local good causes. The latest run – along with a social night event held by the Club – has raised over £1200 for the Tiny Lives Trust!

The 13 classic tractors that took part travelled from Hamsterley and District Social Club to Selset Reservoir, Lunedale, Mickleton, Eggleston and over Woodland Fell (where they encountered snow!), before returning to Hamsterley where they warmed up with some well-deserved fish and chips.

Thank you to all of the Tractor Club members who faced the freezing weather and took part to raise money!