Wendens Ambo woman helps raise £1 million for sick children

Patsy Glazebrook, who is from Wendens Ambo, formed the Cambridge Fundraising Committee 24 years ago, in 1999.

She was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2015, and in May this year was made a Dame of the Order of St George the Martyr in recognition of her charity work.

The committee raises money for the charity by regularly hosting celebrity lunches, evening lectures, afternoon tea parties, garden tours, concerts and more.

Members of the Cambridge Fundraising Committee with Patsy Glazebrook (centre) at the lunch in their honour at The Gherkin (Image: The Sick Children's Trust)

All money goes towards The Sick Children's Trust - which provides a 'Home from Home' for families with a sick child being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital and The Rosie.

Patsy formed the committee to fund the charity's first 'Home from Home' in Cambridge, Acorn House, which was opened in 2000 by The Sick Children's Trust president, stage and screen legend Michael Crawford CBE.

In 2012 the charity opened a second 'Home from Home' in Cambridge, Chestnut House, which supports families with a child in the neonatal ward at The Rosie.

Thanks largely to the committee's fundraising efforts, the two Cambridge 'Homes from Home' have now supported 11,900 families.

Patsy said: "I was asked to set up a fundraising committee for The Sick Children's Trust charity in 1999, which is when permission was given to build Acorn House on the Addenbrooke's Hospital site.

Patsy Glazebrook with her British Empire Medal (Image: Courtesy of Patsy Glazebrook)

"Since then and with the help of a very motivated committee, I have organised over 340 fundraising events. 

"Everyone on our committee is incredibly motivated to run these events because we know that every penny we raise is going to a very good cause.  

"I’m delighted to say that we have now raised over £1,030,000, providing funds to maintain Acorn House and Chestnut House so that they can continue supporting families with a seriously ill child in the best possible way.

"If people would like to know more about what we do or the events we are running as part of our spring 2024 programme, I’d encourage them to email us on sctcambridge@gmail.com."

In November The Sick Children's Trust organised a special lunch at The Gherkin in London to celebrate the committee meeting their £1 million milestone.

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Dad James Eddleston spoke at the lunch about his stay at Chestnut House following his premature son Jude's transfer to The Rosie, describing the service as a "vital lifeline".

Jane Featherstone, chief executive of The Sick Children's Trust, added:   "To reach £1million in funds raised for us is simply astonishing, and we will be forever grateful to them for everything they have done and continue to do for us.   

"We never underestimate just how much time and effort goes into planning their numerous events, talks and tours, and want to say a massive thank you to Patsy and committee members past and present who have worked extremely hard to raise the funds we need to keep these wonderful ‘Homes from Homes’ open so they can serve families at their time of need for many years to come."