BRAVEHEART cardiac patient Jake Cathcart and family have taken centre stage in modelling the latest Alder Hey pyjamas available at Matalan.
Jake Cathcart, from Moss Bank, was born in 2015 with a rare and undiagnosed heart condition leading him to suffer two cardiac arrests and a respiratory arrest.
On his first birthday he had major surgery to close a hole in his heart and his parents didn't know if he would make it.
But he did and since then, his mum Claire Cathcart has, alongside other parents of children with heart conditions, raised thousands to send surgeons abroad to help other children with broken hearts.
This year, Matalan have teamed up with Alder Hey Children's Hospital to offer matching family pyjamas with 100 per cent of the profits going to Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s 7in10 Children’s Mental Health appeal.
And Jake, his proud parents Claire and Neil and little sister Daisy, have been selected as one of the families to model these special pyjamas.
The appeal aims to raise £3million to improve inpatient and community health services at Alder Hey, giving more children access to the treatment they need, when they need it, transforming the way mental health services are delivered to children and young people.
This year’s product range includes unisex adult and children’s PJs, a baby grow, pet outfit and a mug, all with a colourful print made up of positive quotes as well as Alder Hey’s iconic Oli the Elephant mascot.
The design is inspired by the importance of talking positively and aligned with the ‘7 in 10’ appeal, highlighting that 70 per cent of young people with a mental health issue are currently missing out on vital mental health interventions as a sufficiently early age.
Jason Hargreaves, from Matalan said: “#TogetherForAlderHey those words couldn’t be more true right now. Over the past six months, we have seen our nation come together to applaud the invaluable and selfless work the NHS does, day in day out.
"I am immensely proud that we support not only one of the UK’s leading Children’s Hospitals, but the worlds – the work they do at Alder Hey is phenomenal, and it really is a special place. It makes me even more proud that we can help raise vital funds for such important campaigns like the 7 in 10 appeal, without doubt it’s been a tough year for everyone, but especially our children, which makes this appeal all the more significant right now.”
To show support for the hospital and this year’s campaign Matalan are asking people to share, donate and nominate; take a selfie using the #TogetherForAlderHey filter and write a kind message to your younger self, text ‘TALKING’ to 70085 to donate £5 and nominate and tag five friends for them to do the same.
Fiona Ashcroft, CEO of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We are so excited about this year’s #TogetherForAlderHey campaign. This is our seventh campaign with Matalan and we are incredibly proud and humbled by their continued support.
"Since 2014 Matalan has raised a staggering £3.2m for Alder Hey which has gone to fund a range of activities and projects that are designed to enhance and improve the lives of our amazing young patients. This year’s campaign supports our 7in10 Children’s Mental Health Appeal which will transform the way mental health services are delivered to children and young people.”
Head into store or online to shop the collection now at matalan.co.uk/charity/alder-hey/together-for-alder-hey
Prices: Adult PJs £12.50, Children’s PJ’s £8.50, Baby Grow £5.50, Pet Outfit £5.50, Mug £2.50.
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