news story

Staff make a date to help Aimee’s cause

Four-year-old Aimee Dickson is the Calendar Girl as far as staff at TMS client Survival Systems International (SSI) in Great Yarmouth are concerned.

They are appearing on a calendar to raise money and alert more people to a rare hereditary illness which means Aimee must be on a rigid special diet for life – or risk brain damage.

Aimee’s dad Andy, an offshore field service technician with the company, wants more people made aware of the PKU (Phenylketonuria) illness and the work of charity NSPKU which helped them throughout his daughter’s early years.

Andy approached several staff to ask if they would pose for the calendar before asking bosses if the business - which manufactures capsules, inspects and maintains survival craft and associated launch equipment for rigs and ships across the world - could be used as a backdrop.

“I was thrilled that George Teece and Bob Gray, joint general managers, not only agreed but offered to fund the calendar’s production and joined in for one of the pictures.

“This is a responsible and serious business but they let us dress up for the calendar as it was part of the fun.

“Aimee was diagnosed with PKU at birth and, had she not been checked, would have suffered brain damage by now. That’s why it’s so vital to tell other parents and to support NSPKU’s work which relies entirely on donations.”

Claire Gutteridge, Survival Systems’ business development coordinator, said the company was delighted to support Andy’s initiative and quickly arranged for the calendar to be produced in time for Christmas by TMS Media.

“We’re having 100 calendars printed initially, mainly for staff, friends and customers but anyone who wants a copy or to support the cause can contact me. Each calendar costs £5 so our aim is to raise £500.”

Phenylketonuria is a build-up in the body of phenylalanine - found in the protein of food - and the treatment is a low protein diet. It means high protein foods such as meat, cheese, poultry, eggs and milk are not permitted. Instead the diet is supplemented with artificial protein which allows normal growth and development of the child.

Contact Claire Gutteridge on 01493 659411 or email
claire@ssiuk.net