Ward 3 walk 300,000 steps a day for the Bubble Foundation

At the Bubble Foundation, we are dedicated to supporting the incredible young patients and staff on Ward 3 at the Great North Children’s Hospital, home to the world-renowned Bubble Unit. This June, staff on the ward took on an extraordinary fundraising challenge—walking 300,000 steps, more than the distance between Newcastle and New York, to raise vital funds for the children in their care.

Ward 3 is home to children with severely compromised immune systems who require specialist treatment in a safe, protected environment. Among them is 13-year-old Lexi Johnson from Leicester, who has been bravely recovering from a stem cell transplant following her diagnosis with APDS2, a rare immune condition. Lexi and her mum, Liz, have already raised over £7,000 for the Bubble Foundation, demonstrating their incredible generosity and determination to give back.

Lexi underwent her transplant on 29 May and has since been making steady progress. In an inspiring moment, she even supported the staff’s step challenge by taking some of her very first steps during recovery.

Her mum, Liz, shared their journey:
"Lexi knew she would lose her hair during treatment, and since I’d need to keep mine short for practical reasons, we decided to turn it into something positive. Lexi donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust and set a fundraising target of £750. We never imagined we would raise over £7,000!"

The dedication of the Bubble Unit’s staff is truly remarkable. They work 12-hour shifts caring for children in highly intensive conditions, yet still found the energy to take on this challenge in their own time. Their commitment is inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts in raising funds to support families through such a difficult journey.

Professor Mary Slatter, a consultant specialising in stem cell transplantation, highlighted the impact of the Bubble Foundation’s support:
"Su Han, who I’m doing this challenge with, wouldn’t be here today without the Bubble Foundation’s seed-corn funding, which supported her for six months. Thanks to that, her research has now secured a significant grant. This is exactly the kind of vital support the Bubble Foundation provides, and we want to continue enabling more of this work."

This initiative, led by dedicated nurses Demi and Ellie, will help fund essential welcome packs and enhanced facilities for families arriving at the Bubble Unit. Facing a life-changing diagnosis and treatment is immensely challenging, and thanks to our supporters, we can continue to make this journey a little easier for the children and families who need us most.

If you would like to support our work, please consider donating to the Bubble Foundation. Every contribution helps us provide essential resources, research funding, and family support for some of the most vulnerable children in the UK.