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Bobby with supporters Julia Babalia, Cllr Joan Coupland, Cllr Shelley Coupland, Cllr Gary Doolan, Sophie O’Reilly and Tina |
Brave Bobby walks tall for hospital
Schoolboy campaigner hailed as ‘an inspiration to us all’ as he leads fundraising trek
A SCHOOLBOY who became seriously ill after complications following a routine operation led a sponsored walk to raise money for a hospital on Tuesday.
Bobby Markham, from Popham Street, Angel, is so grateful for the support he receives at University College Hospital in Euston he staged the walk to buy equipment for its young people’s recreation room.
Three years ago Bobby, 14, was a typical teenager with a passion for school and computer games. Then he suffered major health problems following a routine appendix operation at UCH. It has resulted in him having to undergo more surgery and round-the-clock treatment.
Originally a pupil at St Thomas More School, in Chelsea, Bobby became so ill he had to leave and now attends a small school attached to Whittington Hospital in Archway. His mother, Tina, said: “Bobby has not been well for quite a long time and has been in and out of UCH. But he was determined to do the walk for the sake of the friends he has made in the UCH rec room. It’s the place the young people go after their treatment and is an important part of their recovery.”
For Tuesday’s two-mile walk to Euston Bobby managed to rope in three Labour councillors, former Islington Mayor Joan Coupland, her daughter Shelley Coupland and Gary Doolan.
Bobby said after the walk: “Now we hope to go away to the seaside. We haven’t been able to go on holiday before because so many trips were cancelled because of the illness.
“The idea is to raise money for the rec room and provide more toys and games. We play on computers and PlayStations among other things.”
Cllr Doolan was so moved by Bobby’s campaign he gave £179 towards a PlayStation. He said: “Bobby is a very brave young man and an inspiration to us all.” |
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