# TV actor boosts fundraising efforts for sick children

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/01/26/tv-actor-boosts-fundraising-efforts-sick-children/
- Published: 2010-01-26T17:07:07+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Actor Rik Makarem – who has appeared in Torchwood and is currently playing the role
of Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale – is lending a helping hand to raise money for a local
charity next week.

Husband and wife team Marcus and Laura Leverton are hosting a black tie event on
Friday 5th February at The Red Lion Pub and Bistro in Chesterfield, as a thank you
to The Sick Children’s Trust for providing them with accommodation at Treetop House
in Sheffield. Rik will be guest of honour.

The Levertons stayed at the house in August 2009 when their son, Harry, was in intensive
care after contracting three viral infections that caused problems with his breathing.
Harry also suffered a bowel perforation whilst in Sheffield Children’s Hospital 
which resulted in major surgery. During this time, the Levertons stayed in Treetops
House for 10 days.

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Although Harry is currently still on medication due to the removal of part of his
bowel, he is very much back to his old self again.

Rik said: “I’ve been friends with Marcus for 10 years now as we grew up together
in our home town of Chesterfield. When he told me about the great work The Sick 
Children’s undertakes and how it had helped him and Laura remain close to Harry 
when he was taken ill, I offered to do anything I could to make the fundraiser as
successful as possible.

“The team at Emmerdale has also been very supportive of me, signing scripts and 
memorabilia to auction off and even offering a behind the scenes tour of the set
in Leeds to the highest bidder. We are hoping to raise more than £3,000 on the night.”

The money raised will go towards The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Home from Home’ accommodation,
Treetop House, in Sheffield.

Ends

### Notes to Editors:

The Sick Children’s Trust runs seven ‘Homes from Home’ at major hospitals around
the country where families can stay free of charge, for as long as they need whilst
their child is undergoing treatment. There is a growing demand for our ‘Homes from
Home’ as children must increasingly travel long distances to get the specialist 
treatment they need. In essence, The Sick Children’s Trust ensures that the very
basic of all medicines has a chance to work; family love and support.

To date we have helped more than 30,000 families. To run our ‘Homes from Home’ we
rely entirely on voluntary donations; and need to raise nearly £1million this year
to keep them open.

For further information about The Sick Children’s Trust, please contact Sarah Wallace
on 020 7791 2266 or email sa***@****************st.org

www.sickchildrenstrust.org

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