Tai Tarian Staff Dig Deep for the Bubble Foundation

A year of fundraising has come to an end at Tai Tarian housing association, with over £2200 being raised for the Bubble Foundation.

Staff at the hosing association voted to support the charity at the beginning of 2017 and then set about raising money throughout the year.  Fundraising events included cake sales, raffles and fancy dress days. 

The Bubble Foundation was established in 1987 to treat babies and children born with defective immune systems by offering them bone marrow transplants. It also treats children suffering from leukaemia and severe forms of arthritis. 

The charity was chosen by staff after it helped treat, Macs Oatway, the son of Tai Tarian Building Surveyor, Richard Oatway, when he was diagnosed with a rare immune disorder, called Leukocyte adhesion deficiency.  This meant Macs couldn’t fight infections and had to be treated at a specialist unit at Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital.

Speaking about the fundraising, Richard said:
“I’m really grateful to my colleagues at Tai Tarian for helping to raise this fantastic amount of the Bubble Foundation.  They were fantastic in supporting us as a family whilst Macs underwent treatment in Newcastle.  They provided us with somewhere to stay and supported us through our time there.  They also provided toys and educational equipment to help keep Macs entertained whilst he was in isolation.

"Thanks to the fantastic care we received from them, Macs is thriving and we are all eternally thankful for the assistance the staff at the Bubble Foundation provided."

Gill Johnston, Fundraising Manager at the Bubble Foundation said:
“We got to know Richard and his family well whilst Macs underwent treatment with us and we are really grateful to him and his colleagues at Tai Tarian for raising this amazing amount for us.  The money will make a big difference and will allow us to continue supporting children and their families, but most importantly to continue research into better less painful treatment for those affected by these conditions.”

Since 2011, Tai Tarian has raised over £15,000 for charity.  In 2018 they will be supporting Ring 20 Research and Support UK, an organisation set up to support people affected by Ring Chromosome 20 Syndrome, an ultra-rare chromosome disorder which affects the development and function of the brain.  Previous chosen charities include the Alzheimer’s Society, Anthony Nolan Trust and the Wales Air Ambulance.