Over £7,300 has been raised for our hospital’s Paediatric Diabetes team following fundraising at Gorleston Golf Club last year – and we’re saying a huge thank you to the club and all who supported this, and particularly thanking the club’s 2023 Ladies Captain Julie ‘Jules’ Harbord who initiated it all.
Jules chose to support our paediatric diabetes team through her fundraising when she was Gorleston Golf Club’s 2023 Ladies Captain after her nephew Jake spent some time in the paediatric department at the James Paget.
When Jake was 14 he became very poorly with sudden weight loss, extreme weakness and other symptoms which led to his admission to the James Paget. He needed urgent medical attention and underwent a number of tests to find out what was wrong before he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
Jake says; “Initially being diagnosed as a teenager, of course a rush of emotions set in when doctors explained for the first time that it is a lifelong illness. Through my own personal experience the toughest part was acceptance, however, when you manage to get over that hurdle, it makes the routine of blood testing and insulin injecting much easier. When I was diagnosed the support system given to teens/ kids in my position by the Paediatric Diabetes department at the James Paget gave encouragement and support with adjusting to the process mentally and gave reassurance that it’s not as bad as you think.”
Jules said; “Jake is now in his 20s and you would never know he has this chronic condition – he copes with it very well. My family and I cannot thank the team enough. He was looked after with care, understanding and helpfulness and their attention to detail was amazing – I don’t think he would be where he is now, coping so well with his Type 1 Diabetes, without them.”
On Saturday Jules, Jake and Maggie Hart, who was instrumental in organising events at the club, officially handed over the cheque for £7,304 to Maxine Taylor, our Charity Manager.
Maxine said; “This is an incredible total – we’re really grateful for your generosity and the money raised will go towards supporting young patients with diabetes. Thank you for everything - you did so very well and you should be so proud.”
More than £3,000 of the total was raised after Jules and five of her friends – nicknamed Jaycees Sugarbetes - completed 72 holes of golf in one day in June 2023. Teeing off at 4.30am they played more than 12 hours of golf on the Gorleston course to boost funds. A number of other events, including golf days, helped to take the final total well over £7,000.
In addition to support from everyone at Gorleston Golf Club, Jules also got her employer Seaward Safety Ltd, based in Lowestoft, onboard. The company, who specialise in the survey, design, manufacture, supply and installation of safety signage to energy, marine and commercial industries, kindly donated new collection bucket and donation box signs for our hospital charity too.
And our Paediatric Diabetes team have also secured a yearly date to hold a forum of their choice at Gorleston Golf Club too, thanks to Jules, Maggie and the Club, who are continuing to offer their support.
Our photo shows, left to right, Maggie Hart, Jake Crickmore, Julie Harbord and James Paget Charity Manager Maxine at the cheque handover on Saturday.