Internet phenomenon to sound starter horn!
Jack doing the Teddy Toddle in 2006 with help from Da & Mummy
This is an article taken from the Sick Kids Friends Foundation website on 26 May 2011. Thank you to them for allowing us to reproduce it.
The eighth annual Sick Kids Friends Foundation Teddy Toddle and Summer Fair 2011, sponsored by Ethicon in the Community, is to be started by artist Jack Henderson – the six–year–old drawing fanatic – who has proved an Internet phenomenon by drawing pictures for donations.
Jack, who has raised over £19,000 for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation in just two months, will sound the starter horn for his two younger brothers Noah and Toby and the rest of the toddlers and their teddies who are getting set to go walk about at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation Teddy Toddle and Summer Fair to be held at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 4 June.
This year, the tots will be joined by stars of children’s television including the musical, multi-talented painter and decorator, ‘Spencer’ from Balamory and favourite CBeebies scientist ‘Nina’ from Nina and the Neurons.
The stars will put their best feet forward to join around 200 toddlers in raising funds for the purchase of medical equipment which will be used on brain surgery for the removal of tumours. This equipment which is like a magic pen will cost £62,000.
The Teddy Toddle is aimed at kids under six – who can choose their favourite teddy, toddle down Meadowbank running track and raise money for the Edinburgh The Royal Hospital for Sick Children – a great cause – while enjoying themselves.
Older brothers and sisters can also enjoy a sports day run by Edinburgh Leisure, a bouncy castle and games, while there will also be around 30 stalls selling a wide variety of goods to raise funds for sick kids.
Maureen Harrison, Chief Executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, added: “We’re delighted to have some of the hospital’s patients and their siblings actively take part on the day alongside our children’s favourite TV stars. Their attendance makes the cause all the more special.”
“The fact that Jack Henderson and his brothers are taking part is wonderful. Jack began fundraising for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation to say thank you for the care received by his younger brother Noah, aged two, who has been in the The Royal Hospital for Sick Children a number of times because of a respiratory illness.”
“Little did we know that when Jack put pen to paper on that very first drawing, that his campaign for donations for drawings would snowball via social media with fundraising targets far outreaching the first £100 that his parents set, when the challenge began as a bit of fun.”
“Jack has now raised close to £20,000 for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation and his drawings have actually been made into a book and published by Hodder Publishing.”
“It’s an amazing feat for a six–year–old boy and we can’t thank the Henderson family enough. We’re delighted that all three of the boys, Jack, Noah and Toby are all coming down to support our annual Teddy Toddle which could be described as possibly the cutest event in Edinburgh!”
The Teddy Toddle and Summer Fair will take place at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 4 June from 12 noon to 4pm.