Father raises £20k for hospital charity
A caterer who donated his kidney to his daughter nearly 21 years ago has raised more than £20,000 for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity in thanks for saving his daughter Emily’s life.
Richard Hart has undertaken two years of charity challenges which will culminate in running the London Marathon on Sunday to raise £20,000 for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.
From a Prosecco brunch to bake sales, sponsored trampoline bouncing to the Royal Parks Half-Marathon, Bedford-based Richard has already smashed his fundraising target before the iconic run through central London.
He was inspired to raise the money as thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff who have looked after his daughter Emily who was born with kidney failure and transferred to Guy’s Hospital at just five days old.
When she was seven, Emily needed a kidney transplant. After tests confirmed he would be a good match, Richard didn’t hesitate to donate his own organ to save his daughter’s life.
At the time, Richard said doctors hoped Emily’s new kidney might last 10 years. The family will soon mark the 21st anniversary of Emily’s transplant, with the same kidney.
Emily, now 28 and a paediatric nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said the donation – and all Richard’s subsequent fundraising – is “classic my dad”.
She said: “Dad is the most generous, caring person in the whole world. He would do anything for anyone – it’s just in his nature. He said he would donate his kidney to me again if he could.”
Richard, 55, who organises the catering for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said he is “so, so proud” of Emily.
He said: “For the first seven years of her life, Emily didn’t have it easy at all. She had dialysis and then it became apparent she needed a transplant. I was a good match, and I felt giving her my kidney was the natural thing to do.