Wigan hospital trust's double donation of books

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust received Sam Grant’s book Oh One Day and Lynsey Gregory’s Mummy Went To Hospital.

Roby Mill teenager Sam wrote his children’s story after being diagnosed with type one diabetes and becoming frustrated with having to explain what that meant to people.

The 13-year-old also wanted to reassure other children who had been told they have the condition and their parents that they will still be able to do things they want to do and the condition will not be too restrictive.

Winstanley mum-of-two Lynsey, meanwhile, penned Mummy Goes To Hospital after she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and wanted to make sure her children understood what was happening.

Sam handed over copies of his book and some characterr keyrings from the story to Rainbow Ward play specialist Cat Scott and diabetic paediatric nurse Leanne Sumner.

Oh One Day tells the tale of a young central character who meets an alien and explains to the extra-terrestrial visitor about type one diabetes before inviting him back for tea.

As he had told the trust his favourite colour was orange WWL also illuminated the Tree of Hope at the hospital as a thank you gesture for the donation.

Lynsey gave copies of Mummy Goes To Hospital to the two Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Cancer Care Centres at the Thomas Linacre Centre.

The illustrated volume explains why someone with ALL is so poorly and has to spend so much time away from their children and the family home.

During Lynsey’s treatment in hospital her husband Chris or mum Sandra would go through the book with her children Theo and Tillie.

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Cancer Care Centre ward clerk Lynne Shaw said: “It was a pleasure to meet Lynsey and hear about her inspiring story, it’s one which will help so many families answer some difficult and sensitive questions for their children.

“We’re very grateful for the book donation, and the copies will take pride of place at both of our information centres the Thomas Linacre Centre.

“Lynsey is a real inspiration to anyone fighting cancer, she’s so brave and always thinking of others too.”

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