A KIND-HEARTED golf captain has nominated the Aplastic Anaemia Trust as his charity of the year and has raised nearly £2,000 for the cause.
Captain of the Abbey Hotel Golf Club, Bernie Ibbs, presented executive director of the trust, Anna Martin, with the cheque for £1,884 on Monday (May 23) after his nephew had to undergo a bone marrow transplant to treat the illness.
Aplastic Anaemia is a rare blood illness and the symptoms and seriousness of the condition can vary from person to person.
The illness can be life-threatening and is particularly severe in children.
“He was lucky in a way that one of his brothers was a match and was able to donate bone marrow. He had three brothers and only one was a match but that is not always the case.
“He went into hospital and was more or less cured but still has to have eye drops and such because his eyes don’t water properly.”
Anna said: “Although the illness is very similar to leukemia it is not considered a cancer and so there isn’t the same support there.
“The illness is acquired and there is no specific cause or treatment. Every individual who has it is different.
“We rely completely donations to offer support to sufferers and specialist nurses to care for them. So we are so grateful the captain has chosen us as his charity this year.”
For information on the trust call 0870 487 0099 email [email protected] or visit www.theaat.org.uk
