Thursday, 26 July 2012
A 17-year-old Swansea schoolgirl has produced her own charity album, True Colours, to raise money for the renal self care unit at Morriston Hospital.
Kate Harwood, a student at Bryntawe School, was inspired to make the album and raise money for the unit because of her uncle who is a patient there.
For the last three years Mark Phillips, from Swansea, has been receiving kidney dialysis treatment for four hours a day, three times a week.
Picture left: Singing schoolgirl, Kate Harwood and her uncle, Mark Phillips, with a copy of the charity album. While chatting to her uncle he explained the process of the dialysis treatment and the importance of it. Kate said:
“I had no idea about the unit or the treatment my uncle was receiving. “I visited him at the unit and was really amazed to see the dialysis machines in action. The staff are really great, supportive and very caring.
“I realised that I wanted to produce a charity album to raise money and awareness of renal failure. This is a really good local cause; the money raised will be used to buy additional equipment which will directly benefit patients who need to visit the unit three times a week.”
True Colours has sold with 250 copies to date, with another 100 being produced to keep up with demand.
Kate’s uncle Mark added: “I was really taken aback when Kate said she wanted to do this for the renal unit. She has a great voice and the album is amazing, it’s excellent. I’m very proud of her, and so far she has raised £1000 for the unit.”
Picture below: Clinical Leader for Self Care and Nocturnal Education - Gail Williams, Mark Phillips and Kate Harwood.
Playing the album during dialysis sessions has helped sales and Clinical Leader for Self Care and Nocturnal Education, Gail Williams said: “Kate has a fantastic voice and is very talented. I can’t thank Kate enough for helping us raise money for the unit.
“Dialysis is life changing, and it is always a shock to new patients how much time is taken up by the treatment.
“We are working with Kate’s uncle Mark, to train him on the nocturnal dialysis machine. This will allow him to self dialyse at home while he sleeps at night, which means no more hospital visits, and a return to a more normal daily life.”
Kate’s dad Stephen added: “We are all extremely proud of Kate, it was her idea to produce the True Colours album and the family supported her.
“Kate has always loved to sing and at six years old she went for her first singing lesson, and has never looked back.”
The True Colours album is available from the renal unit at Morriston Hospital and costs £5. Telephone: 01792 545719.
