news@QEHB May 2016

Page 1

Visit our website: www.uhb.nhs.uk

For patients, staff, visitors and volunteers

Page 3 Showcase highlights research work

MAY 2016

Page 8 Determined cyclists en route to Paris

Page 11 Transplant mum shares experiences

Ex-soldier smashes Sahara challenge Theatre practitioner and dedicated fundraiser Gavin Sandford (pictured) has completed an incredible, world-first challenge to raise much-needed funds for veterans and sick children. Former soldier Gavin, a 43-year-old who now works in the theatres at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, is no stranger to extreme experiences. In 2014, he ran 45 marathons in 45 days – while pushing a 50kg barrel filled with donations he collected on the way – covering a total distance of 1,200 miles along the UK coastline, in support of military patients at QEHB. Following this incredible feat, Gavin decided to go one step further and set the challenge of completing a world first which he began on 3 April. The ex-soldier completed a gruelling 310-mile run in the blistering 55 degree desert heat to raise money for QEHB Charity, as well Blesma Limbless Veterans Charity and Team Margot, carrying everything he needed on his back. Gavin challenged himself to complete the Marathon Des Sables after first pounding the previous year’s 250km route in the Sahara Desert before joining the 2016 run which is another 250km. It’s the first time a runner has ever tackled the gruelling back-to-back task, which Gavin successfully completed on Saturday 16 April, despite suffering an injury to his ankle and experiencing difficulties in the scorching heat which caused his trainers to melt! The Marathon Des Sables is reputed to be the hardest multi-day race in the world. Gavin, reflecting upon the challenge he set for himself, said: “I decided to attempt a double Marathon Des Sables Challenge to hopefully inspire others as to what is possible: the ‘I Can and I Will’ spirit. “It was definitely extreme, but for every difficulty or challenge that I faced, just thinking about the reason why I was doing it – to help military families and patients, and ill children – helped me pull through. Everyone’s support has been absolutely fantastic so I’d like to say a big thank you to all those people who helped spur me on and gave me so much encouragement.” Mike Hammond, Chief Executive at QEHB Charity, said: “Gavin is an incredible fundraiser. The Charity team is in total awe of his motivation and passion. On behalf of QEHB Charity I want to thank Gavin for his hard work, and wish to congratulate him on making that world first.”

Tenth anniversary for our volunteers Hundreds of hours are given each year by volunteers who work across the Trust. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Services Department and there are various plans to mark the milestone. These include Volunteers Week from the 6–8 June to celebrate the contribution volunteers make to the Trust and, more importantly, to its patients. There will be a stand in the atrium where volunteers and department staff will be able to talk to visitors about their work. The Annual Long Service Awards for volunteers will be held on Friday 10 June – an opportunity to celebrate the commitment of individuals.

Success for charities improving services I decided to attempt a double Marathon Des Sables Challenge to hopefully inspire others as to what is possible: the ‘I Can and I Will’ spirit.

Gavin Sandford Fundraiser

To find out more about Gavin’s fundraising or make a donation, visit www.icanandiwill.co.uk For more information about Fisher House, go to www.fisherhouseuk.org For more fundraising news from QEHB Charity go to page 7.

Two of Birmingham’s leading charities – Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer (LFBC) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity – are improving breast cancer services in the city, with the arrival of their jointly-funded mobile mammogram unit. The unit has been purchased by the two charities as part of their £1 Million Appeal, which was launched by Lord Digby Jones in 2013. The screening facility, now based at Broad Meadow Health Centre in Kings Norton, cost £250,000 and boasts leading x-ray facilities. It is anticipated that these services will be used by up to 62 women a day, helping to not only detect breast cancer earlier but also promote self-examination in the local community. Veronica Kumeta, co-founder of LFBC, said: “This new mobile mammogram trailer enables the QE hospital to take their screening out into local areas like Kings Norton and ensure that women are attending their appointments. “There are so many reasons that people might not attend, from geography and time restraits through to just plain old fear, but research shows just how important it is to get checked and find these things as early as possible. “This screening unit helps make it as convenient as possible for people but also removes some of that fear.”

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25/04/2016 08:46


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