Jo Duddridge, Manager and Trainer with Daisy First Aid Cardiff & Vale, recounts her fun in the sun with a very successful Toddle Waddle and urges everyone to give it a go
“As the owner of Daisy First Aid Cardiff & Vale I decided to combine my Toddle Waddle with a Family Fun Day."
“As well as being excited to support such a worthy charity, there was a personal reason for doing this. As an ex paediatric nurse, I have cared for babies and children rushed into A&E with suspected meningitis, I have nursed those battling and thankfully recovering from meningitis, I have rejoiced with those discharged from hospital and wept with those less fortunate."
“Last summer however, meningitis came closer to home when a friend’s son contracted Men C."
A cause I wanted to support“He thankfully beat the disease although I am acutely aware of the long-term mental health effect it has on the child and his family. Most of us do not realise that ongoing support is needed. This is why the work of Meningitis Now is so important and a cause I wanted to support."
“Also, as part of my job as a paediatric first aid trainer, I teach parents about the signs and symptoms of meningitis; the subject is therefore part of my everyday life."
“The Daisy First Aid Cardiff & Vale Toddle Waddle was held on a gloriously hot Bank Holiday Monday. There were stalls including sweets, arts and crafts, a gaming van, DJ and even a bar! The Daisy First Aid stall was set up with information leaflets about meningitis and symptom cards for everyone to take home."
Sponsored relay designed by daughter“The Toddle Waddle was a sponsored relay that my 7-year-old daughter helped to design, set around a cycle track. Leg one was running or walking, leg two skipping, leg three an egg and spoon race and leg four hoola hooping. Children were invited to wear superhero costumes to honour the fight that babies and children go through daily against this illness."
“Approximately 50 children plus their adults took part. The children were so excited that they ignored the relay part of the race and completed laps of all activities; it was organised chaos!"
"All children were then rewarded with Meningitis Now stickers and wristbands plus free pizza, which was kindly donated by Dominos Pizza."
"The Toddle Waddle was a lot of fun on a very hot day. The rest of the day was spent browsing the stalls, listening to music and having a picnic with friends before ending with our magnificent raffle. I had set a fundraising target of £500 and at the end of a very busy day we had raised £497!"
“Alongside online donations, I am very proud to announce we raised £727.06!"
Immensely rewarding activity“Running a Toddle Waddle was immensely rewarding, seeing children and adults alike enjoying the sunshine, laughing and having fun was priceless. Knowing we were raising money for such a worthy cause was great. I would recommend everyone do this; contact your local nursery or school to get the children to take part."
“Or you can be like me and organise a large family fun day! Simply ask people and businesses to help and take part. Most love to support charity. Raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of meningitis is so important. I have seen first-hand as a paediatric nurse, a paediatric first aid trainer and as a parent the importance of knowing and recognising the signs, especially the early signs, of meningitis and the vital importance of getting timely medical attention."
“I run paediatric first aid classes for children, parents, carers and child care professionals across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan either at venues in the local community or privately hosted in your own home. See www.daisyfirstaid.com/jo for more information.”
