Fundraiser for GOSH

[NannyOggsKnickers]

Hi All

I've suggested to MNHQ that we start a campaign to raise money for GOSH and the incredible work that they do. Recent events have got me thinking more and more about the terrible situations some parents find themselves in and it would be great to raise money to support treatment and care for parents and children who find themselves dealing with illness.
What kind of fund raising could we do? Would anyone be interested in seeing a MNHQ campaign to raise money for this kind of charity?

[JonSnowsWhore]

I'm in

[NellieBuff]

I'm in

[Gingernaut]

Me too

[lifeinthecountry]

I'm in

[ABitOTT]

They've been totally unfairly slammed in the media around the world. Count me in.

[MyBeloved]

Yes, I'm in too

[SouthWestmom]

I'm going to be a dissenting voice. As a forum meant to be supportive of parents and as readers and reactors to news rather than knowing the full story, it feels pointed.

I'm assuming it's as a result of the Charlie Gard case? His parents clearly feel poorly treated, whether now or at the start of communications over his diagnosis.

None of us can know how that came about or whether all the people involved acted well behind the scenes.

I think this is like, especially on the days his life appear to be coming to an end, taking sides and declaring it publically.

[JonSnowsWhore]

I don't think any reference to the case should be brought up on this thread. This is simply to support a charity that could do with some help right now

[SouthWestmom]

Don't be so disingenuous. Suddenly out the blue and totally unrelated?

[Devonishome1]

Yes,I'm in.

[OvariesForgotHerPassword]

I'm in.

[GrapesAreMyJam]

I'm in!

[SouthWestmom]

And I think the op references it themselves 'recent events'?

[JonSnowsWhore]

I didn't say it was out of the blue or unrelated, I said this thread shouldn't be a place to discuss the case, there are other threads for that. This can simply be about doing something good, it doesn't have to turn into something nasty

[oakleaffy]

Good idea.

[Rhodiolia]

Having seen the struggles of my own family when my nephew needed many months of PICU care, and the battle @lonelymummyof1 has had for her ballerina, I would certainly be part of this.

I think this is more in response to the awful agenda of the "campaigners" in Charlie's Army social media, which are determined to run GOSH into the ground and as a way to acknowledge the life of Charlie and every other child who has or is suffering a life limiting condition.

[TheDevilMadeMeDoIt]

I'm in.

I've been wondering about starting a Fb page (says she who isn't even on Fb) called something like Peace for Charlie, as a sort of counterbalance to the CA pages, for people to post with sympathy and understanding for what Charlie and C&C have gone through. We know from comments on here and and on DMail articles that CA are a noisy minority, Then I had second thoughts and realised it would be bombarded with CA posters calling everyone supporters of murder.

Back to the drawing board.

[SouthWestmom]

I'm not discussing the case, I'm saying setting up a fundraiser right now for a very public 'other side' is clearly making a statement. One which I don't think we, as a parenting forum, should do.

[JonSnowsWhore]

Well what about the 'statement' made by the Facebook page then? One side can actively carry on calling doctors murderers & slating this hospital left right & centre, suggesting that they have done terrible things to a little baby & are trying to 'cover them up' but we can't add a bit of support by holding a peaceful fund raiser, seeing as many people on here have had children in GOSH or similar hospitals!

[Rhodiolia]

Why are there "sides"?

[Sostenueto]

In

[JonSnowsWhore]

And it's not just about choosing sides, this hospital have lost so much money by going to court numerous times, children in that hospital could suffer as a result of this, that is what it's about, they may also have lost donations over this, why can't we help to recover some costs

[HattiesBackpack]

I think this is a great idea.

Charlie Gards parents are currently going through all of our worst nightmare, and though I can't say I have any real understanding of what they are actually going through my heart goes out to them.

GOSH is a wonderful organisation and any funds raised is for a worthy cause indeed, let's not forget that whilst this case went on there are many many more parents facing terrible news, and heartbreaking choices and I feel that amongst the media storm of Charlie's story this has been forgotten.

[SouthWestmom]

What about it? (Not seen it). Is it MNHQ job to trawl the internet for dark corners and right perceived wrongs?

If I was in the position of the Gards, having lost my son in a public 'battle' and then saw one of the UK's biggest parenting forums launch a fundraiser for them I'd be hurt.

There are lots of good causes and lots of good times to support them. Right now I don't think this is the right thing to do.

So, as the op has canvassed opinion and I've given it, I'm happy that my views will be considered in any decision.

[NannyOggsKnickers]

Neouf I can see your point but I very specifically didn't mention the case by name. The campaign shouldn't have anything to do with Charlie. It is mostly inspired by the heart wrenching stories shared by other parents (on this site and others) about their experiences with an ill or terminally ill child. It is not about choosing a side. That is a false equivalency. It is about supporting parents and children who have to use GISH services.