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A cancer treatment room in the hospital has been transformed into a more "teen-friendly" space thanks to a mother's donation in her son's memory and the help of three local art students.
Callum McNulty, a "popular", "cheeky" and "incredibly bright" Hautlieu student, was just 14 when he was first diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma.
Despite making a full recovery with 18 months in remission, the disease eventually returned and he sadly died on 21 July 2022.
After his death, an auction and football match – Callum's Cup – was held at Springfield Stadium in his memory, with the events raising funds for the Ewing's Sarcoma Research Trust. However, the UK-based charity ceased operations due to limited resources, with outstanding funds sent to other bone cancer research charities.
Following news of the charity's closure, Callum's mother, Jo, decided to use the remaining money raised from Callum's Cup to improve a support room in Jersey's oncology department, where her son was treated.
Pictured: Callum McNulty was remembered as a "popular" and "lovely lad", who had a "respectful cheeky side" by Hautlieu staff.
Thanks to the donation, the room for islanders aged 17 to 25 now has a PlayStation 5 and games, as well as a new comfortable visitor's chair.
Money has also been used to purchase "grab packs" for patients upon diagnosis, consisting of a hoodie, water bottle and a bag with Callum's initials – CM – printed on the back.
It has also been enhanced with the help of three Year 13 students from Hautlieu: Liv Swain, Anya Blair and Saskia Baker. Thanks to their efforts, the walls are of the room are no longer bare.
Louise Kedge, student support lead and positive mental-health-and-wellbeing manager from Hautlieu, got to know Callum well over the years. She worked together with Ms McNulty and the students on the project.
Pictured: The students in the newly refurbished room with their artwork and the 'grab bags'.
"I know Callum would be chuffed to see the changes made to this room. He was passionate about doing something for teenagers who found themselves in the same situation as him, and he struggled with the transition from paediatric to adult oncology."
Skye Newton, a clinical liaison nurse for teenagers and young adults with cancer, expressed her gratitude to the students for their "stunning paintings" and to Callum's family for their "incredible efforts and ideas".
She said the room had since become a "cherished space" for teenage and young adult patients, who she said had "enjoyed playing on the PlayStation 5 and spending time in a more welcoming, less clinical environment".
"Our TYA patients have also been thrilled with the new patient packs provided at diagnosis, and accompanying family members and friends have benefited from a more comfortable experience, thanks to the thoughtful donation of a new armchair."
"Callum wanted to do a lot more but as we know he did not get the chance," Ms McNulty added. "I hope this is the first of many projects which make a difference in his name."
"My painting was created with comic strips in mind, I wanted to create something that was interactive to look at, something that could provide entertainment through small relaxing and cartoony paintings."
"The painting is of a beach I visited in Scotland, I chose it because I loved the soothing and warming colours that were brought out as the sun was setting, which I felt gave a calming and peaceful mood."
"I chose that design because I wanted my piece to not overwhelm people, but I also didn't want to make it plain. Therefore, I chose a bright pastel colour scheme and added a white paint over the textures to make it much more interesting and nicer to look at.
"The painting is also quite abstract because I want to allow people to use their imagination and create their own scenes and ideas of what is going on which could be a nice distraction."
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