Jo Harlow’s three-year-old daughter Madison became very unwell back
in 2015 and, after being admitted to the family’s local hospital, it
became clear that she was deteriorating rapidly.
Madison at Evelina London with an important message
Having been told that the doctors 'did not know how to save her', the family were sent by emergency ambulance to Evelina London Children's Hospital, where they were told that Madison’s kidneys had completely failed.
Daily dialysis, frequent operations, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions and feeding tubes were keeping Madison alive but she was in unbearable pain.
Running the London Marathon for Madison
Jo remembers the time all too clearly and, now Madison has made a full recovery, explains why she has been motivated to take on the London Marathon for Evelina London.
She says, ‘Just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse, Madison's breathing crashed and she was hallucinating and scared.
‘An amazing doctor made the call to rush her to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and give her the one remaining bed there. Our little girl was now on two life-support machines, 24/7 dialysis and had machines breathing for her.’
Jo continues, ‘I was told every time that a certain beep sounded, that was the machine taking a breath on Madison's behalf. Hearing this constant beep, I promised myself that if she survived this, I would raise money for this amazing hospital.’
One evening, Jo and Matt were walking outside the hospital when they received a call from the PICU. Braced for the worst, they were told that Madison's kidneys had started to work again.
Jo says, ‘This tiny, brave girl hooked up to a million wires had somehow come through – we felt like we had won the lottery!’
Madison was getting stronger
Over time, Madison was taken off dialysis, the ventilator and feeding tubes. She was able to eat and drink again and soon after that she was walking on her own and getting stronger.
Jo remembers, ‘The day we took her home was the proudest day of my life. Reuniting her with her little brother after so long was the best feeling in the world.’
Today, Madison is still under the care of Evelina London and visits the hospital for regular check-ups, but she is attending school, enjoying being a six-year-old – and an amazing big sister to Harry.
Jo says, ‘Without Evelina London and the outstanding medical staff that continue to help Madison every step of the way, our lives would be very different.
‘People have told me I am mad to attempt the London Marathon, and they may be right, but it’s worth every step to make a difference to other sick children who deserve the chance to fight for their life the way Madison did.’
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through our donation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
For a Bank Transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportevelina.org.uk
and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity, with 'Evelina London' written on the reverse.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team Fundraising Team Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) or donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Please also provide some basic information about the item, including how old the item is and we will then be able to confirm if the hospital is able to accept the item.
Please note that we are unable to accept soft toys and toys that cannot be easily cleaned.
If you would like to discuss this more to find out how we can help, please call our Supporter Care team via info@supportevelina.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Evelina London is part of Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital so does not have a separate registered charity number.
The charity number for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity is 1160316.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
Do you accept donations of clothing?
Clean, plain clothing for adults and children are accepted, items such as jogging bottoms and sweatshirts are ideal. Used underwear is not accepted.
Thank you to everyone who has offered knitted bonding squares for our Neonatal Unit. We’ll let you know if we need more in future but for now, we have plenty. We’ve had so many offers our cupboards are overflowing!
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded then please contact via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx