BRAVE HEARTS OF THE NORTH EAST

    In 1988 a Children of Courage Award was made to a young girl from the North East called Joanne Gillespie.  Joanne, who was 11, had endured 2 major operations and fought back against a recurring brain tumour.

    In order to help other children who would go through such experiences Joanne turned the diary of her recovery into a book.  It was published in 1989 under the title “Brave Heart”.  It immediately received public acclaim as an inspiration to other sick children and their families.  It led not only to the Children of Courage Award, but also to Joanne being presented in the spring of 1989 with a North East personality award.

    Among those present at the award ceremony was Robin Alexander, a member of Hexham Round Table about to start his year as Community Service Committee Chairman.  Robin was so inspired by Joanne’s story that he sought to make the cornerstone of his year an appeal to establish recognition and reward for other children with similar stories.

    The fundraising effort proved a great success, culminating in the autumn of 1989 with a gala charity dinner held at The Mayfair at which the cabaret for the evening was headlined by Dire Straits.  Over £ 35,000  was raised.

    In consequence of the fundraising effort, Hexham Round Table were able to send 22 children to Disney World in Florida.  Other children whose illness or handicap prevented them from travelling received computers, videos or other equipment intended to enhance their lives.  All the children attended a presentation at Tyne Tees TV. At this they were each given the distinctive Brave Hearts award of a crystal pyramid.

    It soon became apparent that the undertaking had grown beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, and it was decided that it was too big to remain simply as part of Hexham Round Table’s community service effort.  Consequently it was decided to register Brave Hearts as a separate charity.  This is now known as Brave Hearts of the North East, although the Round Table link remained through the Charity’s Trustees, who have all been members of Hexham Round Table.

   Since its inception, Brave Hearts has assisted 83 children, all of whom have shown the most incredible courage in battling to overcome illness, handicap, or other adversities.  Whilst all have received the holiday of a lifetime, or the toy or electrical equipment of their dreams, it is perhaps true that  they value equally the Brave Hearts Crystal awards, and the recognition they involve that these are indeed special children.

   Each year between 5 and 10 awards are made.  While funds have to be found to cover the cost of the awards, the Trustees’ greater problem tends to be the identification of potential recipients.  One of the features of the children Brave Hearts has helped is the fact that they are inclined to see nothing remarkable about their struggle to overcome adversity.  For them, it is part of everyday life.  For this reason, we often have difficulty in getting the most deserving of cases brought to our attention.

   This is where Brave Hearts needs help.  If you know of any child whom you think merits recognition in this way, please send details to Brave Hearts.  The only qualifications are that the child is aged under 16, is resident in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Cleveland, Cumbria or North Yorkshire and has shown the sort of strength of character that Joanne Gillespie did.

   Sadly this story does not have a completely happy ending.  Many of the children recognised by Brave Hearts were so ill that they have not survived their illnesses.  In particular, Joanne herself died in 1993. Brave Hearts of the North East seeks to continue to honour her memory and to build upon the inspiration she has provided to other children.  Please help us to do so