Family raise money for children’s hospital

Stacey Greenwood, with son Riley, 4

The family of a Rochdale youngster is preparing two charity events to raise money for the Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Riley Greenwood, 4, is on the waiting list for a double transplant and spends a lot of time on Ward 77 at the hospital.

Riley, who lives with his mum Stacey, in Shawclough, needs a combined liver and kidney transplant with a full plasma exchange to rid him of an extremely rare disease.

From seeing the work that takes place on the ward Riley’s Great Grandad, Bill Keen and Stacey’s Cousin Sarah Hughes have organised a benefit doo and a charity bike ride to take place on consecutive days this month (September 2010).

Mr Keen has been responsible for the charity event at the Brickcroft Social Club, he said: “Riley has been going there for almost 12 months and they are after some toys for the ward, ward 77, so we thought why not get some money together.

“This is really important to us, we have such a big family, I have five daughters, 15 grand children and 13 great grand children and Riley is the only one with a problem.

“Riley is one in a million and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that people turn up and it’s a good night.

Mrs Hughes has been responsible for the organisation of charity bike ride from Rochdale to Blackpool, she explained why: “It is just such a good thing to do. We were all sat around and just thought what can we do. We thought we would do something to get fit, and something where we had a goal.

“Because it’s for Riley we know we will complete it – there is no backing out now.

“If we were to join a gym or something we might give up but we have a target with this.”

Mrs Hughes is taking part in the bike ride with numerous other people including her husband, and they aim to split all the money raised between the hospital and Riley so following his treatment mum Stacey can perhaps take him on holiday.

The family held charity events over two days last year and raised £6,000.

“We didn’t think we would raise that much,” said Stacey “but if we can get around that again or more that would be great.”

Speaking about this year’s event Stacey said: “We have had lots of support and lots of sponsors.”

On the day of the bike ride Riley will be at hospital in the morning however, the plan is to meet the cyclists on route.

Stacey said: “They are setting off at 8, and we will be at hospital until 12, so we will miss the first four hours but I am going to get the route and we will catch up with them.

“We will then stay over so Riley can have a day in Blackpool.”

Riley, has to visit hospital four days a week for his dialysis, and since recently changing his dialysis, Stacey described him as “having miles more energy.”

The charity doo at the Brickcroft Social Club will be held on the 24 September and the bike ride takes place the following day (25 September 2010).

All funds raised will be donated to Ward 77 of the Manchester Children’s Hospital.