A much-loved and dedicated charity founder has retired from a regional children's charity after 32 years in the role.
Gill Wheeldon, who was one of the founding members of The Bubble Foundation, which launched in 1992 to support the work of the Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Great North Children’s Hospital, has stepped away from the group.
As well as toys and personalised support for the families on the unit, the charity funds cutting-edge medical research projects, which help to transform the lives of babies and children with serious immune conditions.
Since launching the charity, Gill has travelled across the UK and Ireland to raise awareness of its work, and her efforts have led to millions of funds raised to support the unit and vital research.
Former patients, family members, trustees and staff came together to celebrate Gill’s retirement at a family day held during World Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Week on Saturday (April 27) in Newcastle.
After many years of work, Gill now retires to Jersey, which she now calls home.
Gill, who worked as a nursery nurse on the unit before starting the charity, said: “It has not only been a job, it has been a mission to raise funds for research to save of the lives of these precious children.
“When I started, six out of ten babies died and today, through research, nine out of ten babies survive – but the work continues. Thank you to everyone for your continued support over the years.”
The millions raised have helped to fund world-leading new techniques for children born without an immune system.
The conditions are often so severe that even the simplest ‘common cold’ virus can be fatal.
But advancements in research over the past three decades mean that survival rates for children with severe immune deficiencies have gone from six in 10 dying, to nine in 10 living.
Tributes have been paid to Gill from the charity and former patients.
Boyzlife star Brian McFadden is President of The Bubble Foundation and has known Gill for many years.
He said: “What a sad day for us that Gill is retiring but what an amazing woman she is. She deserves to sit back and put her feet up after all she has done for the Bubble Foundation.
"She has helped so many children and families with her selfless crusade. It’s been an honour to work with you and I’ll be there when they build your statue outside the ward.”
On the unit, known as the ‘Bubble’, the babies and children are looked after in a sterilised ‘bubble’ of clean air. The Bubble Foundation also finances medical equipment, toys and educational aids and supports the welfare of babies, children and their families.
Phil Simpson, 35, from Durham, a former patient in the Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, has known Gill for 20 years.
He said: “To say a simple thank you, will never be enough for the gratitude I have towards Gill.
"The commitment and hard work Gill has shown in often challenging times to not only keep The Bubble Foundation alive, but flourishing and continuing to save lives of so many babies, children and young adults, is legendary.
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"I have been lucky enough to have worked with Gill as a Trustee of our charity, travelled to fundraising events, and class her as a dear friend to me and my family.”
Professor Andrew Cant, Acting Chairman of The Bubble Foundation, added: “We are so grateful for the tremendous work Gill has done over three decades.
"She has been at the centre of so many amazing events, projects and developments. Gill’s undeterred efforts have enabled us to bring real change for our patients and their families, whether it be support when they are very ill and far from home, or enabling groundbreaking research to hugely improve the diagnosis and treatment outcomes for children with inborn errors of immunity.”
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