Congratulations Calli! Catering assistant shortlisted for Pride of Britain Award

Catering assistant, Calli Tully, was shortlisted for a Pride of Britain award in the ‘ITV Fundraiser of the Year’ category for her fundraising to support children undergoing treatment on Ward 23 at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Calli began her charity, Calli’s Heart Campaign, after to her own experience as a patient on the ward when she underwent open heart surgery in December 2014.

Throughout her stay, she was taken aback by the number of children who would not be making it home in time for Christmas and so in setting up Calli’s Heart Campaign, she was able to raise money to bring Christmas into the hospital.

Initially, the purpose of fundraising was to buy Christmas gifts for the children but since the charity’s supporters grew to numbers much bigger than she ever expected, she’s able to bring goodie bags to children during various annual events such as Easter, Valentine’s Day and their birthdays.

Now Calli is holding regular fundraisers and has recently launched the ‘Reach Out’ campaign to directly support patients’ families to help with christenings, holidays, accommodation, food assistance and more.

Speaking about the campaign, Calli said: “My campaign has become so much more than I ever imagined and because of this I have been able to help so many children bringing them joy and happiness in their darkest times and their families.”

Calli is continuing to fundraise with hopes for the future to raise enough money to be able to purchase a holiday home for children and their families to spend time in once they have finished receiving their treatment.