Red Sky Foundation is a real example of how the smallest idea can grow to become something phenomenal and, more importantly, can make a life changing difference to so many people.
Our registered charity was born out of one simple wish, that couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci could give something back to the magnificent team at the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
This unit is nationally recognised and treats young people from across the UK every year – often making the difference between life and death to families.
Sergio and Emma were one of these families, who faced the trauma of their little girl, Luna, having to undergo life-saving heart surgery in 2015.
On the morning of the operation Sergio, looked out of his window and saw a sky filled with fire from the morning sunrise, vowing that if his daughter fully recovered he would support the unit in any way he could.
And he made good that promise – initially launching what he would believe would be a one off fundraising dinner, the Red Sky Ball, to buy vital equipment for the hospital.
Nobody could have anticipated the success of this event nor the £64,000 net it raised and the Red Sky Ball fast became the “go to” event on the North East social calendar, which now attracts over 1200 guests making it the largest charity dinner in the region.
The success of Red Sky Ball led to the creation of the annual White Party, again a hugely over subscribed daytime shindig which again raises masses amounts of money for a common goal – to help save lives.
Following the huge impact made on so many lives, on Friday 20th March 2020 as the UK was plunged into lockdown, the England & Wales Charity Commission awarded Sergio and Emma’s Red Sky with full registered charitable status and their Red Sky Ball changed its name to the Red Sky Foundation, allowing them to continue to grow their ambitions and its fund raising initiatives on a whole new level.
While we appreciate there are many, many good causes and only a finite amount of disposable money, becoming a corporate sponsor or supporter of the Red Sky Foundation is a way to give back, to save not just the lives of children but adults across the North East and the rest of the UK.
And what is more important than that?
What we’ve raised – and where it’s gone.
To date we’ve raised over an incredible £610,000 to buy a variety of equipment and also provide facilities and after care at the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, Sunderland Royal Hospital and the James Cook Hospital, Teesside.
We’ve also purchased a number of defibrillators available to thousands and work closely with schools, communities and city centres, so they can be used in those life or death moments when someone has a cardiac arrest and when time is of the essence.
KENNETH “BRIAN” MORRIS – HIS STORY
Military veteran Kenneth Morris is one of a handful of people who have received pioneering transplant surgery at the Freeman Hospital, made possible by the “heart in a box” equipment purchased by the Red Sky Foundation.
This is his story in his own words..
While quietly enjoying a sandwich and a pint of beer my telephone rang, I answered it even though there was no caller ID, something I wouldn’t normally do.
Hi, is that Kenneth This is the transplant co-ordinator from the Freeman,” said a voice.
“Yes,” I said suspiciously.
“Good, Can you make it to the Freeman Hospital as soon as possible we have a heart for you.”
GULP, “Yes I’m on my way”
Not the sort of telephone conversation you expect to have while at Manchester Airport waiting to fly out to Rome to meet your partner, not the first time I had failed to meet her in Rome but a better excuse than I fell asleep and missed my flight – which is what happened last time, this was without doubt a much better excuse.
With a dry mouth and fear running through me like water I set of on a train journey filled with thoughts, fears and doubts as to my real need or whether I was worthy of such a huge offer of life.
This opportunity would not have been possible without the Red Sky Foundation and the skill and professionalism of all of the transplant team at the Freeman Hospital. They were about to embark on the very first D.C.D. – Donation after Circulatory Death – which is where a heart from a deceased person is kept alive thanks to a piece of equipment bought and paid for by the Red Sky Foundation.
I was the volunteer but as I knew I was dying of heart failure what did I have to lose. I had been kept alive by medication and implanted defibrillators for over 20 years but now the heart was finally having its own way – or so it thought.
I was rushed into surgery and the operation was a huge success – giving me a new lease of life.
Here I am 18 months on and preparing to carry out the “Red Sky 100km Walk” followed by a traverse of Hadrian’s Wall from Carlisle Infirmary to the Freeman Hospital.
It must be said that without the support and skills of everyone at the Transplant Centre of The Freeman Hospital and the generosity of everyone who has contributed in every way to the Red Sky fund raising efforts, I simply wouldn’t be here today.
“Thank You from the bottom of my “new” heart.”
OUR MISSION
Red Sky Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of people needing cardiac care who are born with or develop heart conditions by providing lifelong support to them and their families. We do this by providing a range of services to relieve sickness and preserve the health of individuals in the UK. We assist with the provision of grants, equipment and awareness to support the world class Childrens Heart Unit at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, other cardiac hospital units and we also support other regional health services within the NHS and other charitable organisations.
The Red Sky Foundation provides life-saving defibrillators for local school and public spaces, working with local education and council representatives. We collaborate with third party organisations to offer a range of training and education from defibrillator use and CPR through to advanced support for babies, children and adults with heart problems and their families.
OUR CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
OUR AIMS
Red Sky Foundation’s aim is to provide top-up support over and above the current NHS funding and to collaborate with key partners to assist babies, children and their families from the moment they need the specialist care to mend poorly hearts. We work very closely with medical staff and other organisations to ensure Red Sky Foundation’s support is targeted to where it is most needed. Our Foundation has bought vital equipment (for example heart scanners, transplant machines and public accesible defibrillators) and contributes funds towards other cardiac related projects.
Working in partnership with many individuals, workplaces schools, community groups and corporate supporters, Red Sky Foundation maximises fundraising at their events which include the Red Sky Ball gala dinner, White Party and other various fundraising challenges throughout the year which not only raise funds but allows our strategic partners, corporate sponsors, supporters and NHS cardiac teams and heart families to come together and enjoy themselves.
OUR VISION
The vision of Red Sky Foundation is for babies, children and their families to benefit from our amazing work and to encourage supporters to join #TEAMREDSKY and help to raise funds on our behalf so they are able to see the direct results from what they have achieved. Our goal is to also realise a vision that defibrillators will be available and accessible for those who require life-saving treatment for in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest in public and community areas 24 hours a day. For Red Sky Foundation, our patrons, trustees, volunteers and supporters the shared vision is equally true as they use their time and skills in knowing the benefits they can bring to those who need it most.