Kidney Care UK recently visited Alton Infant School in Hampshire to help raise awareness about kidney disease. The children, ranging from ages four to eight, have three pupils with a connection to kidney related health problems, either through themselves or within their family.
Kidney Care UK Head of Fundraising, Rob Hope went along and hosted an assembly as part of their health and fitness week where he spoke about the kidneys, keeping them healthy and what we do at Kidney Care UK. The children raised over £60 through donations (with the help of their parents).
Katie Ward, a parent of one of the children at the school, thanked Kidney Care UK in a letter:
"I am a parent of an Alton Infant School child, where 2 members of your team visited today (Weds) for an assembly. I wanted to write and say Thank you for taking the time to speak to the children and educate them on the topic of Kidney Health.
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease 12 years ago, and while I am currently healthy, I am also aware that there is a 50/50 chance of my children also having it, and therefore we feel it is really important to educate them from a young age about the importance of our Kidneys and keeping them healthy.
My son is in Year 1 and has Sensory Processing and Auditory Processing disorders. This means that he finds it very difficult to sit still for any length of time and therefore can't focus well. He also doesn't process sound well and can often miss information. However, he came home today absolutely FULL of facts and information that he wanted to share with us!! I was so surprised at how much he had learnt and how excited he was to tell us. I have actually video'd him telling my husband everything he learnt to send to my Dad and his siblings who all have PKD and I know they will be so happy to hear of your visit and how much he has learnt from it!
Please keep educating children and sharing the message of Kidney Health - its made a huge impact on us and I am sure that many other families will benefit just as much. Thank you again for taking the time to go to Alton Infants School and share such great information!"
We also received a note from Amelia, one of the pupils at the school:
"I’m Amelia and I have a duplex kidney. I have a dilated lower poll on my left kidney and 2 tubes that come out and go into my bladder. I have had lots of scans at the hospital from when I was born, but my special doctor now says the tubes have grown and I’m all fixed. I still have to watch out that I do no get a UTI but apart from that I’m well."