Jake Beattie’s wishes come true

Jake Beattie receiving the PHA charity cheque

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Jake Beattie, 19, from Heywood has Pulmonary Hypertension; this is a terminal illness and his life expectancy is short.  

In 2011 Jake’s condition worsened and he nearly died. When he was out of hospital and out of immediate danger, Harriet Herdman, Hopwood Hall College’s Senior Learning Mentor, visited Jake with some work as he was frightened of falling behind. It was during this visit that Jake told Harriet of his wish list. First on the list was his dream of meeting Jeremy Kyle and the College organised this for Jake in February last year. Next on Jake’s wish list was a desire to do some charity work and also to one day own his own camera so he could continue his passion for photography.

Shortly after Jake’s trip to watch the Jeremy Kyle show being filmed, the team at the College began working on making his next two wishes come true. They contacted the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and then started planning a fundraising event at the College.

The art students made jewellery, cups and book marks which were sold on a stall manned by Jake and the Additional Learning Support staff, the games groups donated games and ran a competition and College staff contributed by donating gifts for the tombola. The event, which was run alongside the end of year art exhibition, raised £365.84.

Some of the money raised was used to buy Jake a Samsung WB150 camera with a memory stick and case. Jake commented: “I am studying media at the College and photography is part of my course. I’ve had to borrow a camera from my tutor but won’t need to do that any more. Photography is one of my passions but, due to the restriction of my condition, I find it hard to get out a lot. But now, when I’m unable to go out, I can look back on all the photos I’ve taken. Photos really capture special moments in life.”

The rest of the money raised - just under £250 - went to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association who were very grateful and said: “We’d like to thank Jake for fundraising on our behalf. His generosity will help in our fight to defeat this terrible disease and enrich the quality of life of all those affected by this condition.”

Luke Goodlet, Director of Information and Support Services at Hopwood Hall College, handed the charity cheque and the new camera to an ‘ecstatic’ Jake and commented that it was the first time he’d ever seen Jake lost for words.