Prime time for Charlie

One of the things that might get overlooked about copywriters, is the role they play between teams, clients, people, and departments. To be the glue. To grease the wheels. To do this in a way that builds bridges, relationships, and confidence. And it’s so often the difference between a good idea making it off the page and into reality.

That’s why this page is in my portfolio. For the small but proud part I played in turning this particular spark into, well, an AllSpark as it happens.

It’s May 2nd 2019 and two of the world's biggest heroes, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, have just rolled through the streets of southern England and parked up at Southampton Children’s Hospital for a very special surprise.

About 8 weeks previous, my mate Nick Stevenson at Mixmag told me about his friend's son Charlie. At the time Charlie was 4-years-old, had been in a wheelchair for two of those with a spinal condition and then had to take on the onslaught of being diagnosed with leukaemia and facing 6 months of chemo.

What the hell do you say?

“But”, said Nick, “the little guy loves Transformers.” And knowing I used to work at Hasbro and what a Autonut I am myself (G1's my childhood. So was that original movie! And that SOUNDTRACK!), we both wondered if there was the chance of getting in touch with my former employers and getting the little man and his wardmates some toys or something special.

I got in touch. And with the help of the unbelievable human beings that are Tilly De Silva and Donna Crook, on May 2nd 2019 those kids got the latter.

These pictures make me smile and cry every time I see them. We couldn't have dreamed of a better outcome. One that Charlie and his friends will remember for a long, long, long time.

It’s also a personal reminder of what can be achieved from the smallest idea and spark of empathy – the fact that where there’s a will, there’s a way. And the fact I need to make things like this happen whenever I can.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Charlie’s story and how to help, take a look over here.