Midday Million Mile Challenge

The 2007 National Transplant Week gave supporters a chance to raise money and further the cause with the Midday Million Mile Challenge.

Participants were encouraged to take part in a sponsored mile-long challenge (swimming, running, walking, crawling, rolling, pushing a buggy, paddling) at midday during the week to help sign up another million people to the organ donor register.

Londoners might have been slightly surprised to see a giant penguin escorting Evelina Children's Hospital patient Rebekah and her mum on their mile-long walk.

Paediatric Transplant Clinical Nurse Specialist Grainne Walsh wore the costume as a mascot for the Evelina's Transplant Games team, the Very Important Penguins, named for their ward.

Every year Grainne and Evelina staff take the team to the Games, where children compete in sporting events. They have to raise £25,000 to do so.

Rebekah was given a given a kidney by her father in 2006 and competed in long jump, table tennis and 50 m track events at the Transplant Games 2007.

The money she raised on her mile-long challenge went towards the 2008 Games.

Grainne said: "These children are chronically ill, and to see them achieving in the Games is just incredible. Having a transplant is a life-long illness, but things like the Games can help them see that they can realise their potential and live a full life.

"The reason I put in lots of my own time to fundraise is the children. This year one of the big inspirations was Rebekah. I work in a very stressful environment and to see the smiles on the kids' faces makes it worthwhile.”

To make a donation or find out how your legacy could help, please use the secure donation form, or contact the Fundraising Team on Tel: 020 7188 7744, e-mail: Fundraising Team.