Kidney Matters - Issue 14 - 2021

Superhero Teddy –
toddler fundraiser
Teddy signed up to walk over 3 miles (5 km) with
Medal Kids to raise money for Kidney Care UK
for his little brother Ollie, who was born with
chronic kidney disease (CKD).
“As soon as we discovered
Kidney Care UK, we knew
instantly that this was the
charity we wanted to support,
and we are so proud of him and
the love he has for his brother.“
23
The walk
Teddy walked over 3 miles (5 km) between 25 February
and 11 March (World Kidney Day). Via sponsorship and
donations made on Facebook, the family have raised over
£600 for Kidney Care UK. Not only that but he has earned
himself a superhero-themed medal and certificate in the
process.
Brotherly love
Teddy’s younger brother Ollie was born in 2020, and
at the 20-week scan, the family realised there might
be some issues with his kidneys because his bladder
wasn’t emptying. When Ollie was born, he spent some
time in Special Care and there it was discovered that he
had posterior-urethral valves (PUV), which required an
operation to remove a blockage. He spent over 11 days in
the hospital and, due to Covid-19, he hadn’t met his big
brother or even spent time with his parents during this time.
Superhero challenge
Once the family got home, they realised how much love
Teddy had for his baby brother. Apral, Teddy and Ollie’s
mum, told us, “Teddy has really enjoyed raising money for
the charity. We made the challenge fun; days out or our
walks first thing in the morning when it was quiet. Teddy
loved to stop to feed the birds and pick flowers. As soon
as we discovered Kidney Care UK, we knew instantly that
this was the charity we wanted to support, and we are so
proud of him and the love he has for his brother.”
Ollie will need to have a second operation and is likely to
need a transplant when he is older. He is under the care of a
specialist children’s kidney team as well as seeing dietitians
and having regular tests to monitor his potassium levels.
Robert Hope, Head of Fundraising at Kidney Care UK,
added: “The medal and certificate aren’t needed to prove
just how much of a superhero Teddy is. We have been so
inspired by him at the charity. Already at such a young age
he has clearly made such a difference to his family, but
now also to kidney patients like Ollie across the UK.”
If you or a family member would like to take part in
your own event, go to
www.kidneycareuk.org/get-involved
Teddy with his superherothemed
medal and certificate