Dear ECHO Supporters,

What a busy few months it has been here at team ECHO, we've got plenty of news to share and hope you are as excited as we are.

Earlier this year ECHO was excited to announce the ‘Walking in Our Shoes’ initiative—a walking group support network for dads and other male relatives of heart children. We want to offer a space in which conversation could develop organically but would not be the focus, which gave us the idea of a walking group.

One of our ECHO Dads then had the great idea of putting together a short film to outline the initiative. In June, we held a screening of our Walking In Our Shoes film, and now we are so thrilled to launch it online. We thought this would be an excellent way to showcase some of the ECHO community Dads’ experiences as well as to summarise the reasons behind our decision to launch this project.

We've put some resources on our website about setting up your own local walking group as a heart dad or other male relative, and would love to hear from you if you are interested in starting one. Happy walking!

We have been chosen as one of three charities in the local area who will receive a grant from Tesco Bags of Help sceheme which gives community projects grants of up to £4,000 - and it is now down to members of the public to decide who should receive the most funding.

Throughout November and December 2018 you will be able to cast your vote in a number of stores across South London, by using the token given to you when you make any purchase. The more votes we get, the more funding we will receive for ECHO Teens and Sibling Support – a vital and unique service for heart teens and siblings of children and young people with a heart condition.

Have you had experience of Cardiovascular Disease and have a passion for children’s health?

Do you want to help others and influence the development of exciting research at Guy’s and St Thomas’?

The NIHR Cardiovascular MedTech Co-operative are working with ECHO (Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation) inviting patients and carers to form a Patient Public Involvement group with a special interest in children’s heart disease.

The first meeting will be held on December 11th at ECHO's London office near St Thomas' Hospital. 

As a member of the group, you will need to attend regular meetings and provide your comments and feedback based on your experience as a patient/carer and a member of the heart community. 

We're so pleased to welcome Vicki, our Cardiac Support Worker, an experienced professional who offers full-time support to ECHO families. 

ECHO has partnered with Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity to fulfill the post and are excited to wecome Vicki to the team.

Vicki loves all things creative, sensory and arty. Vicki aspired to be Ace ventura pet detective, she has now decided however she has surpassed all expectations as "owner of the best job in the world ever."

Best wishes from Team ECHO,

Samantha, Emma and Sinéad