A Warwick mum who founded a charity in her late daughter’s name, was thrust into the West End ‘spotlight’ when a special surprise was sprung on her by the BBC’s The One Show, which aired last week.
Rachel Ollerenshaw cut short her family holiday in France to travel to London, on the promise of a last-minute TV interview about her charity Molly Ollys. But she was to discover something rather different awaiting her at The Coliseum Theatre, where she was greeted by the cast of the illusionists show, Now You See Me Live.
Rachel, who established the charity in 2012 following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer, was the latest recipient of The One Show’s ‘One Big Thank you’. This regular segment of the live prime time magazine show celebrates community heroes who ‘go above and beyond to help others.’
As well as meeting the cast – and some unexpected friends and family waiting in the wings who’d been in on the secret – an emotional Rachel was shown pre-recorded video messages from some of the previous families helped by the charity, as well as a tribute by The One Show presenter Alex Jones.
The seven-minute segment was included at the top of the show which was seen by more than three million people – including Rachel’s family and friends who gathered at her home to tune in on Thursday (August 20th).
Rachel, who was also gifted a pair of tickets for the stage show, said: “It was certainly a shock and a little embarrassing being thrust centre stage but a welcome surprise and very humbling to hear the emotional messages from people of all ages around the UK who Molly Ollys have helped over the years or worked alongside.
There were volunteers, companies and families and they all managed to keep it a secret, which was no mean feat.
“Whilst every day we miss Molly, over the last 15 years it has been our absolute privilege to meet so many special, brave children and young people and their families. To help, albeit in a small way and to work alongside the incredible health professionals who support them is an honour and gives me and all of the team at Molly Ollys great satisfaction.
“Thank you to my family, friends, all the Molly Olly Team, the families and our donors for your encouragement and backing, enabling me and my colleagues to make a positive difference.”
The grand televised gesture comes as Molly Ollys approaches its 15th anniversary, in which time the charity has raised a total of almost £6 million; granted more than 5,000 wishes; supported more than 21,000 children and distributed more than 23,000 Olly The Brave books to more than 70 hospitals.
It supports children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community, including the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.
Molly Ollys is also responsible for funding the first ever consultants in paediatric palliative medicine at the hospital.
The charity works to and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.
The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.
Molly Ollys need the support of companies and individuals to enable them to help more children. They welcome the opportunity to provide more information about their work. For details contact Rachel on 07747 854914.
