Making the
DIFFERENCE Ben Murphy, Adrian Davies, Rebecca Maier, David Austin Enoch Akowuah
A NEW HOME
FOR HEART RESEARCH
Charities join forces for world-renowned heart research facility on Teesside.
Also inside
‘Artfelt thanks! - Crafty creatives share their talents to support our charity Three cheers to all our latest fundraisers!
We help our local NHS go further at The James Cook University Hospital, The Friarage Newsletter Springhealth 2022 services across Teesside and North Yorkshire Hospital and community
Spring 2022 1 ourhospitalscharity.org
HELLO, FROM OUR HEAD OF CHARITY BEN MURPHY
WELCOME TO OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER
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Welcome to the Spring 2022 edition of the Our Hospitals Charity newsletter, Making The Difference.
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This is our opportunity to say thank you to the recent fundraisers who have enabled South Tees Hospitals to go even further, by providing facilities, services and home comforts that go beyond what the NHS can fund. We also want to let you know where your money is spent across the hospitals and community services within South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The great thing about donating to Our Hospitals Charity is you can specify where the money goes, as some of our fundraisers in this issue show, or leave it up to us to find the best possible use for your donation across our hospitals. In this issue, we approach the delicate topic of leaving a donation in your will - a gift we regard as a great honour to receive. Also in this issue, we’re delighted to tell you about our new campaign alongside South Cleveland Heart Fund, to raise £650,000 for a new world-beating cardiovascular research facility at The James Cook University Hospital. This new facility will further cement the hospital and our trust as a centre of heart care excellence. With recent successful fundraising projects including our Children’s A&E department and our new £500,000 renal unit, we know the generous public on Teesside are sure to get behind our new campaign! Ben Murphy taking part in a charity skydive
We also wanted to shine the spotlight on the vital work of The Trinity Holistic Centre at both James Cook and Friarage hospitals. The complementary healthcare services provided to cancer patients by The Trinity Holistic Centre, from acupuncture and massage to psychological support, would not be possible without generous donations through Our Hospitals Charity from people across Teesside and North Yorkshire. The appreciation shown by families who have raised funds for our neonatal unit and Ward 14 at James Cook Hospital has been phenomenal in the last few months and we are pleased to share their stories. In addition, our ‘artfelt thanks’ has to go to those who have given their time and talent to support the hospital by providing artwork that brightens up our spaces, selling their artwork to raise funds or knitting and creating items for our tiniest patients. This includes local superstar artist Mackenzie Thorpe, who is donating even more artwork to cheer up our hospitals. Your work is very much appreciated by our patients, staff and visitors, so keep on being fantastic. If you’d like to know more about Our Hospitals Charity, including how you can make a difference with a donation, visit www.ourhospitalscharity.org Grab a cuppa and enjoy reading! Warm regards, Ben Murphy Head of Our Hospitals Charity
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OUR UPDATES
MEET
Our LISA FUNDRAISING MANAGER LISA MEEHAN
OUR NEW CELEBRITY SUPPORTER! Christmas may seem like a long time ago, but we couldn’t run this issue without saying thanks to our very own celebrity supporter TV Star Steph McGovern, for bringing some festive cheer when she visited James Cook Hospital in December. Steph raised a mug of hot chocolate to Our Hospitals Charity during a visit with The Sun newspaper, after we transformed one of our gardens into a winter wonderland and shared news of our successful fundraising for a new children’s emergency department. Steph said: “This hospital has a place in my heart because my mam worked here for 40 years as a radiographer. I know how hard the staff work.” Thank you to everyone across Teesside and North Yorkshire who brought some festive cheer to our staff and patients with their generous donations of everything from toys to pyjamas and chocolate treats back in December!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT AMBER TUER Amber is the newest acupuncturist on The Trinity Holistic Centre team and will be working across the centre on the James Cook Hospital site and The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre on The Friarage site. Acupuncture benefits our patients with cancer and other long-term conditions as a complementary therapy alongside conventional treatments. The Trinity Holistic Centre relies on charity donations to meet annual running costs of about £300,000. Find out more on pages 12 and 13.
What do you love about your job? I’m so lucky that in my job, I get to meet the most incredible people, it is so humbling. More often than not, it’s the people who have been through the hardest of times who want to give something back and it is always an honour to support them in their fundraising. What has been your most memorable moment while working at Our Hospitals Charity? I have only been in post for five months, but working at Great North Run 2021 as a volunteer for Our Hospitals Charity was a truly amazing day. There was a fantastic atmosphere and seeing the incredible runners, each with their own reason for taking part, was something that will stay with me. What's your favourite type of fundraising event and why? I’m very much a ‘people person’ so anything that involves meeting people, chatting with them and supporting them is always great to be involved in. I really enjoyed our recent fashion show at The Golden Lion with Barkers Northallerton. It was something a bit different. What's your top tip for people who are thinking about holding a fundraising event? I think it’s important to remember to keep the ‘fun’ in fundraising. Set yourself a realistic target and give plenty of time for advertising and planning - organisation is key! I find that most people have a personal reason for wanting to fundraise, so use that reason to make your event as successful as possible!
Newsletter Spring 2022
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OUR HOME IS WHERE
THE HEART IS
Picture by Dave Charnley showing cardiologists at work in the catheter labs
HOSPITAL’S PROUD HISTORY OF PROVIDING WORLD-BEATING HEART CARE TO BE CEMENTED WITH NEW RESEARCH FACILITY.
Enoch Akowuah
David Austin
Public urged to get behind new Teesside heart research facility that could change lives around the world Our Hospitals Charity has joined forces with South Cleveland Heart Fund in a bid to raise £650,000 to create a new home for heart research on Teesside. The Hearts + Minds appeal aims to bring first class cardiovascular research facilities to Teesside, with the charities working together to help create a Cardiothoracic Research Facility at James Cook Hospital. Dr David Austin, consultant cardiologist at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explained the Middlesbrough hospital has a long history of providing first class cardiovascular care, that uses the latest cutting-edge techniques and research. “James Cook Hospital has been at the heart of cardiovascular care in Teesside for more than 25 years,” he said. “Now we want to take this expertise and use it to inspire new research and breakthroughs in cardiac treatment and care.” The money raised will enable existing space to be transformed into a leading-edge facility and will include the creation of a dedicated clinical setting for patients
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in research trials, as well as a reception, patient waiting area, new office space and a meeting room. The Cardiothoracic Research Facility would be a focal point for heart research and could help countless people around the world. The trust’s Academic Cardiovascular Unit will focus on research which improves treatment of heart attacks, develops exercise programmes in patients with heart problems, improves cardiac surgery and makes better use of data and digital technology in research. It will enable the trust to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence in heart research as well as leading the way across the North East region. Mr Enoch Akowuah, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has just been appointed a professor at Newcastle University, who, along with York University, is supporting the unit. He said: “One of the things we learned from COVID is that research has an immediate impact on patient care. “Hospitals that do research also have the best outcomes.
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“The Cardiothoracic Research Facility will provide the opportunity for us to design and develop really impactful research trials, which will make a massive difference to patient care.” Rebecca Maier, head of the Academic Cardiovascular Unit said: “This is a hugely exciting time for cardiovascular research in Teesside, and the new research facility will enable us to do so much more, with findings from the research we do benefitting patients in the area and beyond. “Bringing researchers and patients together in this way will allow patients to directly influence the work we do and ensure that our research ideas are always focused on patient needs.” Ben Murphy, head of Our Hospitals Charity said he was delighted to be working with South Cleveland Heart Fund on fundraising for the project. South Cleveland Heart Fund was set up more than 25 years ago to help raise money to purchase vital equipment and provide essential support to the heart unit at James Cook Hospital.
“The work they have done for so many years to support the heart unit at James Cook Hospital has benefited countless people. “And now, we need to take it to the next level. But we can’t do it alone. We need the public to really get behind this appeal and together we can fund new cardiovascular research on Teesside.” Dr Adrian Davies, Chairman of South Cleveland Heart Fund, said: “We have waited so long for this – a real feather in the cap for our heart unit, which will enhance patient care on a local and global basis and attract top class people to our unit in Middlesbrough. “Let’s get this appeal completed as soon as possible!”
To get involved, donate online at www.justgiving.com/southteeshospital
Follow Our Hospitals Charity and South Cleveland Heart Fund on Facebook and Twitter for more details and share your fundraising success stories using #heartsandminds
Newsletter Spring 2022
Ben said: “This is a huge amount of money that we need so I’m delighted that we’re working with South Cleveland Heart Fund.
Our Hospitals Charity Facebook @OurHospitalsCharity
Pictures of staff without masks were taken prior to the pandemic.
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A quarter of a century later, the charity’s volunteers have raised more than £3m through donations and legacies from grateful patients and families.
Our Hospitals Charity Twitter @OurHospCharity Our Hospitals Charity Instagram @ourhospcharity
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SELFLESS FAMILY CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT OTHER PARENTS THROUGH THEIR GRIEF
Memory of baby Billy inspires parents in their support of other bereaved families A couple who lost their baby boy in 2017 have raised funds to provide a specialist bereavement counsellor and support worker, to benefit other parents experiencing the heartbreak of losing a child. Since saying goodbye to baby Billy, Rachel and Daniel Jones have dedicated their time to improving support available to bereaved families at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. They raised more than £55,000 to open Billy’s Room in 2019 - a calm, comfortable and private place where bereaved parents can spend special time with their child. But determined to make even more of a difference for other families they set themselves the goal of funding a dedicated specialist bereavement counsellor’s salary for a year. Thanks to the help the couple have received from their dance school and the local community, specialist bereavement counsellor Sharon Wilson is now in post supporting families across Teesside, with initial funding for one year, which the family hope will be extended through further fundraising. Billy’s nana, Sue Tylor, said: “Sadly there wasn’t a dedicated bereavement counsellor like this in place when we lost Billy. “We thought as a family it was so important to have the room initially, but it was also vital for us to work towards
Sue Tylor, Sharon Wilson and Melanie Philo (left to right)
employing a counsellor alongside it to give families support both in hospital and once at home. “We miss Billy every day. There are lots of things you have to go through when you lose a child that you don’t expect to have to deal with and Sharon will be there to support you.”
As well as supporting families using Billy’s Room, she will be training the hospital’s children and young people’s teams to make them feel more confident to help bereaved families. Dr Lynne Paterson, clinical director for neonatology at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “I would like to express my sincere thanks for all that Billy’s family have done for us.” Billy’s family would like to thank all of the parents and students of Thornton Academy, and the wider Teesside community, who have been so generous in supporting them.
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If you would to make a donation to continue to fund Sharon’s important role, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/billysroom
CONSERVATIVE CLUB’S £3,000
A TRIBUTE TO SIR ROBERT
Members of Middlesbrough Conservative Club have raised an impressive £3,000 for oncology through various fundraising events.
We were so sad to hear the news that Sir Robert Ogden died in March at the age of 86.
Oncology at James Cook Hospital was chosen as the club’s charity of the year after being nominated by club member Carol Sowerby, who was treated for breast cancer more than 20 years ago. Her son was also treated for testicular cancer 18 months later. Carol said: “Everyone at the club has done a fantastic job of raising funds as we do every year. I nominated them because I just wanted to pay them back a bit for the treatment me and my son have had.”
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Billy’s Specialist
Sharon said it is a “privilege” to help bereavement counsellor Sharon Wilson local families and also work with Billy’s family.
Sir Robert was a huge supporter of Our Hospitals Charity at the Friarage Hospital. We will be forever grateful for all of his support and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
ourhospitalscharity.org
WARD MAKEOVER GIVES PATIENTS A TRIP DOWN
MEMORY LANE
Elderly patients, many of whom have dementia, feel calm in dining and day room and energised in therapy room, thanks to generous donations. Patients, visitors and staff are enjoying their new environment at Tocketts Ward in East Cleveland Hospital, Brotton, following an impressive makeover. Staff on the ward have developed the setting so that the brightly coloured areas form part of a gym and therapy room that raises patients’ energy levels, inspiring them to take part in activities to help them feel better. Another area, which features old photographs of nearby towns and memorabilia, is now a relaxing dayroom and dining room. The makeover was made possible with Our Hospitals Charity funds and the work of Darlington-based MT Print, who created the wall vinyls. Phil Harburn, one of the directors at MT Print in Darlington, said: “When we were installing some of the murals, such as pictures of Loftus, you could see that the residents were really engaged and asking things like, ‘do you remember that street or that shop?’” Phil added residents particularly liked the ice cream parlour mural. Other large wall prints also include a traditional tearoom, Saltburn’s brightly coloured beach huts and its iconic cliff lift. When the weather is a little warmer, patients can also enjoy views of the East Cleveland hills from a colourful balcony that has been renovated as part of the makeover. Sean McVay, Tocketts Ward manager said the feedback from patients and visitors had been “really positive”.
Susanah Muir with Tockett Ward's Deborah Shotton and Sally Conyard
“Patients have told us that the dining and dayroom that we’ve now got is a lovely place to get away from the bedside area and watch some television, read a magazine or do a jigsaw,” he says, explaining patients have been in hospital on average 20 days when they arrive at Tocketts Ward.
Susanah Muir with Tockett Ward’s Deborah Shotton Sean McVay and Sally Conyard
“Having the opportunity to walk down to the dining and day room or therapy room really lifts their mood. “Without the charity funding in place, we would be working with rooms that have no character, or perhaps we would be restricted in developing or progressing the ward and the feedback from staff, patients and visitors is that they are really impressed and feel the ward is moving with the times.” Patient Susanah Muir said: “It’s absolutely fantastic - you don’t feel like you’re in a hospital. I can’t fault the staff here neither.”
It’s absolutely fantastic - you don’t feel like you’re in a hospital.
Would you like to help make more projects like this become a reality? Find out how you can donate to Our Hospitals Charity at www.justgiving.com/southteeshospital/donate
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Stacey said it would be lovely if we could use this picture of Amelia meeting 16-day old Willow. “It really meant the world to us that they allowed close family in to meet her” she said.
SUPPORTING OUR TINIEST PATIENTS THE JAMES COOK NEONATAL UNIT
FOR THE LOVE OF
WILLOW
Family raise more than £2,000 to thank staff for baby daughter’s “amazing” care.
A family who sadly lost their little girl 18 days after she was born prematurely at 24 weeks and two days have raised £2,100 for James Cook Hospital’s neonatal unit in her memory.
“They were truly amazing,” Stacey said. Sadly, Willow’s health eventually deteriorated and staff allowed the couple’s family to come in and meet her, before she passed away.
Little Willow Carol Spacey battled for life for 18 days after her birth on 11th September 2021 and was Stacey Cole’s third premature baby.
“Without the staff allowing them to come in and meet her, she was just a picture,” Stacey said.
She had already been through the heartbreak of losing her first little girl, who was born at 23 weeks in 2011.
After Willow died, Stacey and Darryl were welcomed back to the ward as often as they wished and a nurse who they could check in with remained assigned to Willow.
Stacey also has another little girl Amelia, who is now a healthy eight-year-old, despite being born at 29 weeks. Stacey and her partner Darryl were overwhelmed by the care shown to both Willow and them as parents by “amazing” neonatal unit staff. When she was born weighing 1lb 3oz, doctors and nurses gently explained it was a case of waiting to see whether Willow’s lungs would develop and her kidneys would function and the family “just had to take everything one day at a time”. Praising the staff, Stacey said: “Every step of the way, they asked us for our input on any decisions that needed to be made about her care. “We said we didn’t want to be kept in the dark about anything and the doctors and nurses were amazing with us.” Willow had her own book made by one of the nurses and any doctors or nurses who cared for her during the night would write in observations, as well as messages for Willow’s big sister. The staff also sent presents to Amelia, including a toy elephant with a recording of Willow’s heartbeat inside.
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Stacey said the pair found this really comforting and it once again demonstrated a personal touch. Stacey and Darryl were also touched by the fact that staff from the unit attended Willow’s funeral. Because of the remarkable care both they and Willow received, the couple raised £2,100 with the help of family, friends and colleagues. “While Willow was there, we were getting supported every day, with food and drink being given to us and things like baby grows,” Stacey said. “There was even a Moses basket for a premature baby. “That little touch meant it wasn’t as overwhelming than it would have been if Willow had been swamped with blankets around her.” Stacey says what the family has been through has been devastating, but knowing that Willow was so well cared for and how they as parents were also looked after has been a huge source of comfort. “What they do in that place is just amazing,” Stacey said. “They deserve so much credit.”
ourhospitalscharity.org
Because of the remarkable care both they and Willow received, the couple raised £2,100 with the help of family, friends and colleagues. Stacey and Darryl hand over cheque
NELLIE’S NURSERY FRIENDS TODDLE THEIR WAY TO MORE THAN £400 A toddler who was cared for in the neonatal unit at James Cook Hospital after being born at 27 weeks has raised more than £400 – with a little help from her friends.
NEONATAL Welcome nurseries Catterick Garrison
Little Nellie Graham and her friends at Welcome Nurseries, Catterick Garrison, raised £436.93 by doing a sponsored toddle and cake sale. Nellie raised an impressive £285 alone, to say thank you to the staff who cared for her and generous staff and parents of other children at the nursery chipped in with the rest. Nellie’s mum Melissa said: “When you have a baby prematurely it’s a very scary experience. I’m pregnant again now so it feels more recent – it always comes back to you. “The staff were amazing – they just know what to say to you because they see everything every day. “I know how much that money is needed because of the things I had while I was there, like a comfy chair to sit on, a coffee and somewhere to pump milk.” Melissa added being in the neonatal unit is an experience no family wants to go through, but the staff became like family. “We couldn’t have asked for anything better from them in such a difficult situation,” she says.
KIND-HEARTED SABIC STAFF RAISE FUNDS IN HONOUR OF TAMARA’S TWINS Tamara Thomas and Jackie Savage raised £700 for the neonatal unit, after Tamara’s twin boys, who weighed little over 2lb each were cared for there. Jackie and Tamara set out to fundraise enough money to purchase a neonatal twin cot and the £700 they raised was matched by Jackie’s employer SABIC UK, bringing the total raised to £1,400!
Staff accepting a cheque for £1,400 for the neonatal unit
If you’re looking to fundraise for the neonatal unit, Our Hospitals Charity can help and support you. Visit www.ourhospitalscharity.org to find out more or call 01642 854160.
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Head of charity Ben Murphy takes to the skies during a tandem skydive.
LEAVING A GIFT
IN YOUR WILL IS THE GREATEST HONOUR!
After his milestone 40th birthday and with his six-year-old daughter proclaiming: “you’re dead old, you Dad!” Ben Murphy, head of Our Hospitals Charity decided it was time to write a will. Here, he talks about the sobering experience. “I never find it easy thinking about my final end. “The estate of Benjamin James Murphy didn’t seem to amount to much, certainly not in physical assets or personal treasures. “I don’t think my family and friends will be fighting over my pristine George Michael records when my time is up! “But it did get me thinking about an experience I had with an elderly lady who was nearing the end of her life. “She was widowed and had an amazing story to tell.
A lasting impression “I saw Audrey just a few days before she passed away and she talked about her precious family and how she hoped to be reunited with her beloved husband. ‘I do miss him’, she said. “I had the opportunity to thank Audrey for her friendship and all the wisdom and kindness she had shown me. “Audrey taught me the importance of being kind, even if it goes unnoticed or unappreciated at the time. “She taught me to have the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expect of me. She also said ‘health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it’ - that’s certainly a lesson we can all take. “While I know these words won’t form part of my physical will, they’re the type of legacy I’d like to leave behind when my time is up.”
Working in partnership with Farewill Our Hospitals Charity has teamed up with Farewill to offer you the opportunity to write your will for free online or over the phone. While for generations, writing a will has been slow, expensive and inconvenient, Farewill are making the process easier, faster and fairer than ever before. So much so, you can even write a will from the comfort of your own home.
Leaving a legacy Leaving a gift to Our Hospitals Charity in your will is the greatest honour we can receive. The process is straightforward and our charitable status (Charity No.1056061) could reduce the overall amount of inheritance tax you’re loved ones are liable to pay. Some of our recent legacies have enabled us to create bereavement rooms, update our children’s emergency department and improve our renal unit. Generous donations have also allowed us to purchase state-of-the art medical equipment and support our staff’s health and wellbeing in light of the pandemic. No matter how big or small, your will can help leave a legacy that makes a lasting difference to our NHS heroes and those closest to you.
For more information and to write a free will, visit https://farewill.com/jamescookhospital, https://farewill.com/friaragehospital, or arrange a call at https://farewill.com/ohc-phone
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ourhospitalscharity.org
The Proclaimers make a winning team for virtual coast to coast!
COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE PROMOTES HEALTHY COMPETITION!
Team banter makes supporting a cause “right on our doorstep” a fun thing to do. More than £4,000 has been raised so far by people who have signed up to Our Hospital Charity’s first ever virtual coast to coast challenge.
the challenge felt really daunting in week two – but her strategy of walking little and often with one long walk per week was paying off.
At the time of writing, there was just one month to go for participants to get their 171 miles in by the end of April.
“There have been lots of early mornings and dark nights!” she said.
The challenge started on January 1, with participants getting their New Year’s resolutions to become fitter and healthier off to a great start, by cycling, running or walking a virtual coast to coast from Ennerdale Bridge in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay.
“It’s lovely doing it as a team.
Participants were asked to raise a minimum of £43 for the challenge – or just 25p per mile – and have also been promised they will receive Our Hospitals Charity’s first ever medal when they have successfully completed the event. Using Strava and other fitness tracking apps, people taking the challenge have been able to compete with their friends and virtually track their progress on an interactive map. One workplace that has benefited from taking on the challenge as a team and enjoying some healthy competition is business training and coaching company Enterprise Made Simple (EMS). EMS - The Proclaimers were the winning team having raised a total of £450 at the time of writing. Andrea Clarke, one of the company’s directors, said
“We set up a WhatsApp group so we have been able to post photos, milestones and funny stories to keep us all going.” Asked if the team has benefited from having some healthy competition with one another, she says: “Absolutely!” “As one of the older ones and the only Granny, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t last! “There has been a lot of banter, which has been fun.” Andrea adds Enterprise Made Simple is delighted to support Our Hospitals Charity – a cause that we can all relate to, as most people across Teesside and North Yorkshire are likely to access our hospitals at some point in their lives. She said: “Our offices, our staff and our clients are all based across Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, so all of us will have used the NHS hospitals in those areas. “Knowing we are doing something that will make a difference right on our doorstep is a lovely feeling.”
You can track people’s progress at southtees.enthuse.com
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OUR TRINITY HOLISTIC CENTRE
HANNAH’S MARATHON EFFORT Couple raise more than £1,400 for ‘lifeline’ centre
Before mum Hannah Bevan was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30, she didn’t know what complementary therapy was and had never heard of The Trinity Holistic Centre. She had never had to think about how such a vital service would be funded, but when the centre became a vital part of her care following a mastectomy, she was shocked to discover it relies entirely on charitable donations. Hannah, who discovered she had breast cancer when her son was seven months old, had never raised money for charity before, but she knew she had to do something to help the cause that had become so close to her heart. She said: “When I went to The Trinity Holistic Centre it felt like I was receiving brilliant aftercare over and above my essential appointments, which were limited to what was essential treatment because of the pandemic. “The therapies at The Trinity Holistic Centre made me feel I was getting therapeutic care after I had my mastectomy. “I was shocked when I learned it relied on charitable donations because it was like an extended treatment plan, so me and my husband decided to run the Liverpool rock n roll marathon for charity.” Hannah, who had never run before, completed the marathon in October, despite the effects of her surgery making running uncomfortable. She and her husband, Rhys, who had previously run 12 marathons in 12 months, raised an impressive £1,400.
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Hannah was pleased to be able to do this for The Trinity Holistic Centre, where she had back massages to help her with her recovery from surgery and counselling. However, she says one of the most valuable aspects offered by the friendly and compassionate staff was the fact she could talk about having cancer when she needed to. “I felt as if I was talking about cancer constantly at home and sometimes you don’t want to talk about it at home – you feel like everyone’s sick of the subject,” Hannah explains. “When I went to Lizzy for my massage, it was nice to talk to her about treatment and how things were going. Sometimes, we would just talk about family. “Sometimes I just relaxed and forgot about everything. Sometimes I would have a good cry.” Inspired by the care she received at The Trinity Holistic Centre, Hannah, whose son Seb is now two, is learning to do massage and reflexology at Redcar and Cleveland College. She will have regular checks every year for the next five years and says the family “are learning to live with” everything they have been through, while admitting it can be scary to think about. Hannah said: “I’ve never really raised money for charity before but I’m proud to say that I’ve run a marathon for The Trinity Holistic Centre. “It’s one of my biggest achievements.”
ourhospitalscharity.org
AWARD-WINNING TRINITY HOLISTIC CENTRE IS A LIFELINE TO PATIENTS. Based at The James Cook University Hospital opposite the spinal injuries unit and at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton at The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, the Trinity Holistic Centre team offers a charitable service supporting patients with cancer and other long term conditions, as well as their families and hospital staff. The centres offer complementary therapies such as massage and acupuncture, which can support patients alongside conventional treatments in ways such as managing side effects. It also offers emotional and psychological support and wellbeing activities. All these services prove vital to the patients who use them, but the running costs for The Trinity Holistic Centre are about £300,000 per year – all of which is met by charitable donations. Our Hospitals Charity can support you to raise funds for The Trinity Holistic Centre and ensure your money goes directly where you want it to go. For more information, visit www.ourhospitalscharity.org The more money we raise, the more people we can support.
HOPE AND ANCHOR HELPS MEN WITH CANCER
LEANNE’S RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Promising to offer pub chat without the pub, Hope and Anchor is a new support group for men who have been diagnosed with any type of cancer.
Leanne McDougall has raised £565 for The Trinity Holistic Centre by being sponsored to complete a random act of kindness every day in February.
The group meets on the first Thursday of every month between 6.30pm and 8.30pm at The Trinity Holistic Centre on The James Cook hospital site.
Leanne’s mum was cared for by the centre, and Leanne is particularly grateful to massage therapist Lizzy, who provided great comfort and support to her mum before she died from cancer.
To access this relaxed and informal space, call the centre on 01642 854839 or email Steve Wilson, peer supporter at stevewilson_nz@yahoo.co.uk
HAND MADE WITH LOVE Kathryn Milner has given The Trinity Holistic Centre a donation of £135, after selling her handmade cards. We’re sure these brightly coloured cards brought a smile to the faces of everyone who received them, especially knowing the money raised from them had gone to such a good cause.
Newsletter Spring 2022
Thank you so much Leanne!
WE’RE EGGSTATIC! Thank you to everyone who has donated Easter eggs for our Easter raffle. Kathleen Templeman even knitted us our very own basket of Easter chicks! We will update everyone on the funds raised in the next issue.
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OUR LOVED ONES WOULD BE SO
PROUD OF
Other families will benefit from comforting environment in darkest of times.
in the success they have had - but prefers to stay “out of the limelight”. The foundation has already raised £4,000 for Ward 14 having been set up less than a year ago – with money going towards improving an outdoor space on the ward in Ray’s memory. Michael said: “We know my Dad would have wanted to make a difference, which is why we set up The Ray Barclay Foundation in about June last year.” Michael, who admits he “likes to put on a big spectacle” when it comes to the charity nights he organises, says raising funds for Ward 14 is a way of thanking the outstanding staff.
Michael Barclay, who set up The Ray Barclay Foundation in memory of his Dad
GRATEFUL families who experienced compassionate care from staff on Ward 14 at James Cook Hospital have responded by raising funds for improvements on the ward. Michael Barclay, 34, set up the Ray Barclay Foundation in memory of his Dad, who passed away in January last year after battling melanoma, which later spread to other organs. Ray, who was 64 when he died, was a well-known darts player on Teesside, and Michael - also a darts player and lover of wrestling and hockey - held a ‘Dartsmania’ event to raise funds for the ward last October – close to his Dad’s birthday. Other events, including a comedy and music night in the Eston California Club, a charity night featuring Cavern Club-inspired band The Fabs and a Ladies’ Night have followed.
Before his Dad passed away, Michael, his wife Steph and Patricia were able to stay on the ward with Ray, using a family room with a shower and sofa bed. Michael, whose employer ICL UK is supporting his fundraising efforts, said: “We were so grateful for that room and we made really good friends with the staff, who went above and beyond for us. “We wanted to give back to the ward by raising funds.” Speaking about the courtyard renovation the family are taking a hands-on role with, Steph said: “When we were on the ward, I remember going out in the courtyard in the snow and being able to go out for a few minutes was really nice and calming. “When they mentioned they wanted to name the new courtyard after Michael’s Dad, it was lovely because his memory is going to live on. “It’s a great starting point for us and once that courtyard is done we’d like to revamp the room that we stayed in.” Alan Russell also has high praise for the staff on Ward 14, after the care shown to his late wife Fiona, who passed away at the age of 54 in January 2020.
A second Dartsmania event and Ladies Night are already in the planning, with information to follow on the charity’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/theRBF2021.
Alan says staff on the ward cared for the whole family – something which gave them a great deal of comfort in Fiona’s final days.
Michael explained fundraising has given him something positive to focus on following the loss of his Dad, who also did lots for charity.
Alan, daughter Lauren Callan and son Jordan completed a charity walk from Lealholme to Whitby, with dozens of friends from Marton Cricket Club to raise funds.
His mum Patricia is also involved and has found comfort
With the help of the cricket club, Alan’s employer Smithfield Timber Ltd, Eston and Normanby Social Club
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THEIR LEGACY! Fundraising manager Lisa Meehan with charity ambassador Scarlett Foggin and Michael Barclay
The foundation has already raised £4,000 for Ward 14 having been set up less than a year ago – with money going towards improving an outdoor space on the ward in Ray’s honour.
Alan and Lauren with their cheque for Ward 14
Ray Barclay with Glen Durrant’s trophies
Alan, top with son Jordan, daughter Lauren and wife Fiona
and Sembcorp Energy, they were able to hand over a cheque for more than £4,500.
coming in and talking to us, especially when we found out Fiona didn’t have long to live.”
Alan, who also thanked Eston and Normanby Social Club, his generous neighbours and The Stapylton Arms for raising funds to contribute to the total amount, said: “We hope the ward can use the money for whatever they need.
Alan explained brave Fiona beat breast cancer in 2013, but sadly, it returned and had spread.
“The staff on the ward were just so helpful.
“I think she just accepted it in her head,” Alan said.
“They didn’t just look after Fiona, they looked after us all every day.
“On Ward 14, they made her comfortable in there and they were in every night.
“They would bring us food down and they were forever
“The staff were great.”
When given the devastating diagnosis, Fiona simply told the consultant, ‘don’t worry about it, it’s all right’.
CHARITY FUNDS COMFORTING ENVIRONMENT BEYOND WHAT THE NHS CAN PROVIDE Those who raise funds for Our Hospitals Charity provide creature comforts that go beyond the vital equipment the NHS provides resources for. Things like a pleasant courtyard to sit in or a family room with a shower and a sofa bed bring real comfort to patients and their families during the most difficult time in their lives. If you would like more information on the work of Our Hospitals Charity, visit www.ourhospitalscharity.org
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‘ARTFELTTHANKS!
Mackenzie Thorpe’s latest art donation
HERE’S TO OUR CRAFTY, CREATIVE SUPPORTERS
At Our Hospitals Charity, it’s not just cash we value, although that’s clearly important to enable us to make our local NHS go further.
Middlesbrough’s famous artist has already given so much to Our Hospitals Charity, including his creation of a ‘People’s Medal’ to acknowledge the work of our NHS Heroes and a limited edition T-shirt that is being sold to raise funds. Now, we’re over the moon to be able to say he is donating another fabulous piece of artwork, which will be installed in the Spinal Injuries Unit at James Cook. Mackenzie Thorpe in one of his Limited Edition T Shirts
We’re always blown away by the time and talents our supporters share with us, whether it’s by painting a mural, knitting and embroidering – or even donating a diamond painting! Here are some wonderful creations which will be of great benefit to patients in the coming months.
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Mackenzie said: “I am so happy that ‘Ironopolis’ is going to hang in James Cook Hospital.
“The hospital does amazing work for our whole community and we are lucky to have such a brilliant hospital, so I am thrilled to be able to support it in any way I can.” Speaking of the work’s nod to Teesside’s industrial heritage, he added: “I think everyone will recognise the landscape in this piece and I hope, like me, they see the beauty in it. “When I see that familiar landscape under our huge, glorious skies, it never fails to inspire me, industry and all. “It’s our heritage and helped make us who we are - this view makes me feel like I am home”.
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DIAMOND PAINTING DEPICTS A MOTHER’S LOVE Charly Lawrence made a beautiful diamond painting, to brighten up our Middlesbrough hospital for our Mamsto-be. The painting, named ‘A Mother’s love’ takes pride of place in the Central Delivery Suite at James Cook. Patients and staff love it already!
ANGEL GOWNS BRING COMFORT
BLUE LIGHT BABIES’ GIFT FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS
Middlesbrough seamstress Alterations by Lucy kindly donated 52 beautiful angel gowns, that were handmade from donated wedding dresses.
Middlebrough knitting and crocheting group the Blue Light Babies donated a number of ‘twiddle muffs’ which act as a source of warmth and comfort to our patients with dementia.
These special gowns are made for families who experience a late miscarriage, a stillbirth, or an infant loss soon after birth, for their child to be dressed in and bring so much comfort to many families.
The knitted muffs have items attached to keep dementia patients’ hands active and busy, while the group’s knitted octopuses also had the potential to be used to comfort babies.
PHILIP’S £6,225 CALENDAR
BABY HATS AND SPRING CHICKS We were overwhelmed by the kind response to our appeal for knitted baby hats for our new babies, which were donated to ward 17. Some were sent from as far away as Norfolk. A lovely supporter and friend of the charity Mrs Johnson also donated a large quantity of knitted Easter gifts, including beautifully hand made chicks, ladybirds and bees. They are so cute!
BORN ON TEESSIDE Barry Smith, a talented local painter kindly volunteered his time to paint a fabulous mural of the Teesside skyline for the maternity ward at James Cook NHS Hospital. It’s certainly brightened up the ward and will make for a great picture opportunity for all our new parents and babies.
If you would like to know more about turning your creative talents into something to help patients or want to sell your work to raise money for our charity, email OurHospitalsCharity@nhs.net
Newsletter Spring 2022
Local artist Philip Meadows designed a calendar especially for Our Hospitals Charity, which was sold at The Art House on Linthorpe Road, thanks to Mark Bennett and Dave Spencer. Sales of the calendar raised £6,225 for the new children’s emergency department at James Cook Hospital. Huntcliffe Lodge and Hazel Grove Lodge of Salburn Freemasons also covered the cost of the print run, meaning every penny went to Our Hospitals Charity. Philip paints his memories of Teesside throughout his childhood in the 1960s to late 70s. He particularly remembers going to the Boro match with his elder brother from about the age of eight and his Dad who worked at Dorman Long but sadly died when he was aged six. All the calendars have now sold, so thanks to all those who purchased a copy.
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HONOURED TO BE PART OF OUR PATIENTS’ SPECIAL DAYS Wedding bells at James Cook Hospital for seriously ill patients Recently, we have had the honour of supporting some very ill patients to say their wedding vows in hospital – and we would like to say thank you to everyone who has played their part in making these very special ceremonies possible. Staff and volunteers worked really hard to transform part of the hospital into a beautiful wedding venue. They did such a good job, that you wouldn’t believe this was a clinical setting. It meant the world to the couples involved to be able to get married and that serious illness proved to be no barrier to the course of true love. We were also honoured to play a small part in the emotional and intimate ceremonies and make what initially seemed like an impossible task to be completed in style.
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During the pandemic, we were also able to support an outdoor ceremony for a special patient and his wife.
This is just one example of the ways Our Hospitals Charity goes above and beyond, providing patients and their families with resources and facilities that the NHS doesn’t provide funding for. What is important to our patients is also important to us and we will do the very best we can to make their wishes a reality.
This also extends to enabling pets to visit a petting shed at The Trinity Holistic Centre, so seriously ill patients get to spend some precious time with their beloved animals. We really do go the extra mile for our patients, thanks to your generous donations.
GENEROUS DONATION TO SUPPORT PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS We are so grateful to John Davies from Handyside Masonic Lodge and the Freemasons Charity, who recently visited with a very kind donation of £2,437.50. As requested, this money will be used to support Prostate Cancer patients at James Cook Hospital. John presented a cheque to David Chadwick, the trust’s clinical director in urology. He said: “It is the only way apart from saying thank you - a word that never seems enough - to all the staff at James Cook Hospital who support patients and their families dealing with prostate cancer for the wonderful, caring work they all do”. Thank you John and everyone from Handyside Masonic Lodge for the generous donation.
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Jeanette and Ryan on one of their walks
MUM AND SON’S
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THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE WILL BE A WALK IN THE PARK FOR BRAVE PAIR
Jeanette and Ryan want to thank hospital for lifesaving care For most people, attempting three perilous climbs in 12 hours would be the challenge of a lifetime. But for Jeanette Oxley and her son Ryan, taking on Yorkshire’s three peaks on June 25 should be a walk in the park, compared to the lifesaving treatment both have overcome.
“When we do the Three Peaks, it will be the furthest that we’ve actually walked and obviously, you’ve got the peaks to take on as well, so it is a big challenge for us both.” Jeanette has previously taken part in fundraising events for Macmillan Cancer and Teesside Hospice.
Jeanette and Ryan, from Coulby Newham, want to thank the doctors and nurses for the care they have both received at James Cook Hospital.
She has completed all her treatment and undergoes routine scans and says she and Ryan are both “doing okay”.
They are raising funds for Our Hospitals Charity as a way of doing just that and have smashed the fundraising target they have set themselves already, with JustGiving donations up to £585.
“We really just want to say thank you for the care we’ve both received,” said Jeanette, a GP practice nurse.
Jeanette had undergone surgery and was in the middle of a 12-month treatment plan for stage three melanoma which had spread to her lymph nodes when Ryan, 25, became ill in December 2019. What started as a severe headache for Ryan, a bricklayer, turned out to be blood clots on the brain and lungs, resulting in three brain surgeries and a three-month hospital stay. Jeanette, 62, said: “Ryan has had a long recovery, but now he is up and about again, I thought this would be a great opportunity for us to do something together. “We are out walking every weekend trying to increase our walks a little bit each time so that we will get there eventually!
“I have had experience in the chemotherapy department while Ryan has been in intensive care and the High Dependency Unit, where all the family regularly visited him. “We seem to have lived in the hospital for a year or so and I have seen things from a patient’s and a visitor’s point of view. “Now, we just want to give something back.” Jeanette adds being a patient herself has given her a different perspective in her job as a nurse. “When you see patients you know what they are going through,” she explains. “Going through treatment myself has given me a good insight.”
If you would like to sponsor Jeanette and Ryan, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeanette-oxley3
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KEEP ON
RUNNING!
Lace up your trainers and help us make a difference as you get fit! If you’re thinking about running for our charity, we’ve got some great opportunities for you this year! We’re looking forward to taking part in the Northallerton 10k for the first time on May 29th and need runners at all levels of ability to lace up their trainers and get involved. This could be the push you need to up your training game and get fit. All you need to do is pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £100 and we will send you a free running T-shirt, water bottle and on completing the race, you will receive one of our special Our Hospitals Charity medals. The race starts and ends on Northallerton High Street on Sunday 29th May at 10am. Details will also follow soon on how to take part in the Tees Pride 10k for Our Hospitals Charity, so keep an eye on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ OurHospitalsCharity
For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, we also have limited spaces available to take part in the country’s greatest half marathon, the Great North Run on Sunday 11th September. To apply for a place in any of our runs, or to get more information about any fundraising opportunity for Our Hospitals Charity, email our fundraising manager Lisa Meehan at lisa.meehan@nhs.net Looking for a different challenge? Join us in our next sporting event We’re a Knockout at Mowden Rugby Club, Neasham Road in Darlington on 14th May – or just come along and cheer on the teams and drop a pound or two in one of our collection buckets! Our Hospitals Charity teams will compete against staff from other local trusts including Newcastle and Darlington as they tackle an obstacle course including giant inflatables, hilarious costumes and props.
Registration for We’re a Knockout! is £250 for a team of 10, plus a pledge to raise £200 per person. Drop us an email to sign up at OurHospitalsCharity@nhs.net
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NEED SOME MORE INSPIRATION? Check out these stories from runners whose JustGiving accounts recently closed. You can choose for a specific ward or department to receive the money you raise or leave it to us to make sure it’s used in the best way possible. Jean Shears raised £709 for the neonatal unit at The James Cook University Hospital by completing the Great North Run last September with her son Stuart. The JustGiving page they set up explains how the support the unit provided to Stuart’s closest friends and their newborn son Joshua James Titley was “incredible”. Joshua was born at 23 weeks and five days in January 2019. He weighed just 1lb 8oz and was very poorly. Sadly, despite showing himself to be a little fighter, Joshua passed away eight days after her was born, but his family are proud of the fight he put up and say he will always be a special part of the family. Like so many other fundraisers, Jean and Stuart’s run was delayed by COVID, but they were pleased to eventually complete it in 2021. In her JustGiving page, Jean says it was great to run for such an “amazing cause”. Kate Thrower raised a fantastic £850 doing the Great North Run in memory of her Dad Chris Thrower. In her JustGiving page, Kate explained how ward 14 provided “incredible care” to her Dad and supported the whole family through what was a difficult year. She said: “I want to raise as much money as I can to help support other patients and families who are going through a similar experience as we did, because we know how difficult it can be. “The staff on that ward are beyond incredible and I will forever be grateful for everything they did for my Dad. “We will honestly never forget what you did for us and this is just one way I want to say thank you.” An incredible £2775 was raised by a team of nurses from Ward 1 at James Cook Hospital at the Great North Run 2021. During 2021, Ward 1 was a COVID assessment ward and on their JustGiving page, the nurses described having had a tough year. However, being the superstars our nurses are, the challenges of the pandemic also brought them closer together as a team than ever before. They jumped at the chance to support Our Hospitals Charity - even though they admitted most of them would have struggled to run one mile at the start – never mind 13! In total, they had a team of 14 nurses and some partners taking part in the Great North Run.
Newsletter Spring 2022
We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all our fundraisers who took part in runs and other events, during what was a challenging year for fundraising due to the pandemic. We think you are all stars! 21
GENEROUS JO’S 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
GENERATE £1,800!
No slowing down for centenarian and local war hero Josephine Allan. We sincerely hope Josephine Allan enjoyed her recent 100th birthday celebrations.
It’s a cause close to Jo’s heart, as her husband of more than 60 years David died in 2005 following a stroke.
In her centenary year, Jo could have been forgiven for putting her feet up and waiting for her greetings card from The Queen to come through.
Jo, the fourth child of George and Sarah Byrne said: “Though a lot of my life has been devoted to being just an “ordinary mother”, my century includes work as an Aycliffe Angel during World War II and rent collecting in Middlesbrough in the 1970s and 1980s.”
But Jo, who has 12 children, 36 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, is not one for having a rest! For her birthday, she set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for the Stroke Ward at James Cook Hospital – and the page has seen donations of an impressive £1,800 come flooding in.
Recently, Jo has also kept herself active in the Middlesbrough U3A group, has enjoyed art classes and has been involved with the Union of Catholic Mothers. Everyone at James Cook Hospital is very grateful for your efforts and wishes you all the very best Jo!
FRIENDS AT TESCO PROVE EVERY LITTLE HELPS! Our friends at Tesco Coulby Newham deserve a special mention in this issue, after presenting us with a cheque for £750 from their second hand book sale - and also allowing us to spread the word about Our Hospitals Charity during a special fun day at the store. Thank you to everyone who came along to the event in February and had their face painted, bought a Mackenzie Thorpe T-shirt or had a go on the tombola. The event was a great opportunity to make new friends who will hopefully support us in the future. Thanks to everyone who made the day such a huge success. Please consider dropping your pre-loved or unwanted books at Tesco Coulby Newham.
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Lisa Meehan, fundraising manager, collects a cheque from Tesco
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FRIENDS COME TOGETHER
TO SUPPORT JOYCE AND ROGER IN DARING FEAT! When Joyce Rubas asked for her workmates to sponsor her and her brother’s skydive, she got much more than she bargained for!
Joyce, centre with some brave friends from Grange Dental Practice.
A woman who wants to mark the year of her 30th birthday and what would have been her Dad’s 60th by jumping out of a plane found her friends were willing to go the extra mile to support her.
fever in the middle of June last year and doctors couldn’t control his temperature.
Joyce Rubas, who works for Grange Dental Practice in Norton, sadly lost her Dad last July - three weeks before her brother Roger’s 21st birthday.
Post-mortem tests showed he had a rare cancer called HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) which causes the immune system to malfunction, as certain white blood cells attack other blood cells.
After he passed away, the family discovered he had been suffering from a rare form of cancer.
He was put on a ventilator, but his condition deteriorated and he sadly passed away on July 3.
Determined to do something special in his memory, she signed up for a tandem skydive to raise funds for oncology through Our Hospitals Charity.
The heartbreaking situation was compounded by the pandemic, which meant visiting was restricted, but Joyce said the staff did the best they could to provide both her Dad and the family with comfort.
But when she asked her workmates for sponsorship, she found they wanted to go that bit further.
“They just made something that was so hard bearable,” said Joyce.
Joyce says: “There was meant to be three of us doing it – myself, my brother and my best friend – but when I went to work, I said to the practice owner, ‘would you be able to sponsor me?’ he replied saying he wouldn’t mind doing it himself!”
“They did what they could for my Dad and were so nice, giving us privacy with him.
The more people Joyce asked at work, the more said they’d also like to join in and take part in the event. In fact, Joyce has managed to sign up seven more people to complete the tandem skydive on July 2nd in Durham. Joyce said: “This means we are now going to raise a lot more money than three people would have done! “I was keen for the money to go somewhere close to our hearts and this charity helped Dad and helped us through everything we’ve been through.” Joyce’s Dad Thirumany was admitted to hospital with a
“They were all so lovely and supportive.” Joyce has always wanted to do a skydive and the event will be even more special as she completes the daring feat in her Dad’s memory. Joyce said: “The support I’ve had from the practice has just been amazing and many of us have been touched by cancer. “They are such amazing people to work for and it’s a lovely family-run business – they have even been asking patients to sponsor us and have been promoting it to everyone. “Having ten of us all doing it on the day will be an amazing thing!”
If you’d like to sponsor the Grange Dental Practice Team, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/grange-dental-divers
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NEW CORPORATE PARTNERS
PUT ON A GREAT SHOW! Celebrity catwalk event raises more than £5,000. Our Hospitals Charity team members with Chris Chittell at The Golden Lion
Barkers Northallerton Corporate Supporter
A new corporate supporter, local celebrities and stunning models came together to help raise more than £5,000 for The Friarage Hospital, during a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment. Barker’s Northallerton, which this year named The Friarage as its charity of the year for 2022, put on a fantastic fashion show at its High Street neighbour’s The Golden Lion, with models showcasing the store’s Spring/ Summer fashion range. They included local celebrities former ITV Tyne Tees newsreader Pam Royle and Emmerdale’s Chris Chittell, aka Eric Pollard, both of whom looked like they were having a ball on the catwalk! As well as buying tickets for the show, generous members of the public took part in a raffle and auction, which featured a work of art kindly donated by local artist Lucy Pittaway and a beautiful horse painting from Barkers Home by Bree Merryn. A spa facial treatment from The Spa Hornby and an afternoon tea for two at Double Tree Hilton Harrogate were also auctioned on the night, with Chris taking centre stage to get the crowd going and raise as much money as possible. Lisa Meehan, fundraising manager for Our Hospitals Charity, said it had been a fantastic night, with the charity looking forward to working with Barkers
Northallerton for the rest of the year. “Everyone enjoyed a great night,” she said. “Thank you to everyone for giving so generously - we are delighted with the amount raised for the Friarage Hospital. “We must say a huge thank you to our friends and corporate partners at Barkers Northallerton.
Pam Royle, centre, with Ben Murphy and Lisa Meehan
“It was a pleasure to work alongside them - everyone put so much hard work in to making the event such a huge success.” Guests at the event were delighted to receive an Our Hospitals Charity goody bag, with stunning accessories from Barkers and a generous 20% off voucher for clothes from the catwalk collection. The team at The Golden Lion also assisted in staging a fantastic event. Lisa said: “We are really grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make the event a success, from the models to everyone behind the scenes.”
Pam Royle on the catwalk
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All the money raised from the event will go towards enhancing the environment and healthcare services for patients at the much-loved Friarage Hospital and within community services across North Yorkshire.
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THANK YOU TO Our CORPORATE SUPPORTERS! Our Hospitals Charity is delighted to welcome our latest corporate supporters, including Geoffrey Robinson and Barkers of Northallerton. Geoffrey Robinson is a family run business providing mechanical, electrical and construction support to companies and were particularly proud to support many multi-trade projects to the NHS during the COVID pandemic. The company is celebrating 50 years in business this year and we are delighted to have their support and look forward to working with them to help raise vital funds for our trust. Barkers, a much-loved family department store in Northallerton, chose Our Hospitals Charity at the Friarage Hospital as their 2022 charity!
Geoffrey Robinson Corporate Supporter
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Barkers, as we feel incredibly lucky and proud to be in partnership with an organisation that has been such a big part of our local community since 1882. We’ve already enjoyed the fashion show (see opposite page) that we held in partnership with Barkers and we are excited about further plans to raise funds for our much loved Friarage Hospital with the super team at this High Street favourite. Middlesbrough-based Tad Web Solutions Limited also recently came on board as a corporate supporter of Our Hospitals Charity, helping us provide support to our hospitals over and above what the NHS makes funding available for. Ian Elcoate, managing director of the firm, said: “Me and my family have all had fantastic medical help from the NHS and have nothing but admiraton for staff who provide that service. “I would just like as many people as possible to benefit the way I have when they need that help.”
Issac Greaves Ocreas Financial North Corporate Supporter
We also welcomed Issac Greaves of Ocreas Financial North as a corporate supporter recently. Thanks for coming on board Issac!
HOW YOUR BUSINESS COULD HELP US Being a corporate supporter helps us raise vital funds, enabling us to improve care for more than one million people across Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Hambleton and Richmondshire. At the same time as supporting Our Hospitals Charity, becoming a corporate supporter can help your company with your corporate social responsibilities, boost employee motivation and morale, offer the opportunity for team building and promote your business to the local community. Your business could support us with a one-off donation, by making us your charity of the year, by matching any funds your staff raise for us or through payroll giving, where staff make a donation via their wages every month. If you’d like more information, please call us on 01642 854160 or email OurHospitalsCharity@nhs.net
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SUPPORTING OUR STAFF WELLBEING YOUR LOTTERY MONEY WILL BE INVESTED IN…YOU! Congratulations to Alison Turnbull, Renal Medical Secretary at James Cook Hospital who was our January staff lottery winner of £1,000! Each month we pay out £1,900 to lucky members of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust staff, with all proceeds donated to Our Hospitals Charity. The top prize is £1,000, as well as a second prize of £300 and six £100 prizes. We have big plans to invest the funds raised from this lottery back into staff wellbeing across the trust. So even if your number isn’t drawn, hopefully staff will be pleased to know their money is being put to excellent use. Everyone’s a winner! The lottery draw happens on the fifth of the month and all winning numbers, departments and locations are posted on the staff intranet. How does it work? For a minimum of £1 a month – deducted through payroll – you’ll be allocated a number which is yours to keep.
Staff lottery winner
If your number is drawn out on the fifth working day of the month, you win – simple!
We might even visit your department to tell you the great news, as we did with Alison!
The prize money will be transferred into your account the same month.
If you are a South Tees Hospitals staff member and not already signed up, you can get involved by visiting our online form on the staff intranet, or for more information, email OurHospitalsCharity@nhs.net.
Staff can play a maximum of ten numbers each month and all winners will be notified by phone.
HELPING OUR STAFF RELAX AND UNWIND
SUPERB SUPERMARKET! Cheryl from Berwick Hills Morrisons with hampers for staff
Did you know that The Trinity Holistic Centre offers both NHS and Serco staff a 10% discount on private therapies, including acupuncture, auricular acupuncture and a range of massage treatments? These include aromatherapy and sports massages, Swedish massage or reflexology. Reiki is another complementary therapy offered at The Trinity Holistic Centre, with 10% discounts available to our staff. Therapy or group rooms are also available to hire at The Trinity Holistic Centre. For more information, visit www.southtees.nhs. uk/services/trinity-holistic-centre/privatetherapies-and-room-hire/
Cheryl Clark, who is Middlesbrough Community Champion for Morrisons at Berwick Hills, recently visited James Cook Hospital with a generous donation of fruit hampers as part of their work for nutrition and hydration week. Thank you Cheryl for helping our hardworking staff to get their five a day!
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CREATING A SPACE How our charity supports staff wellbeing.
TO RELAX
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the hard work NHS staff do was brought into sharp focus. At Our Hospitals Charity, this doesn’t go unnoticed and as well as enhancing the environment for our patients, we are committed to providing safe and comfortable spaces where our staff can take a break and offload. We continue to invest in the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and have created several “wobble” and wellbeing rooms throughout our hospitals. We have also enabled clinical psychologists to support our teams during COVID. The spaces we have created have included comfortable chairs to sit and reflect or take a wellearned break, complete with ambient lighting and attractive decorative features, from ivy and positive affirmations on the walls to plants and tea and coffee making facilities. Little treats like chocolate roses on Valentine’s Day, donations from generous local businesses and supermarkets as well as welfare packs have also
A new staff wellbeing room at the oncology unit at James Cook Hospital
brought smiles to the faces of our staff in the past year. We are also improving numerous outdoor spaces around our hospitals for the benefit of both staff and patients. These environments offer a welcome change of scene from the clinical settings of our wards and we endeavour to make them as much of a home from home as possible. If you have any suggestions about how we can continue to support staff wellbeing, please drop us an email at OurHospitalsCharity@nhs.net.
CRITICAL CARE GARDEN UPDATE The transformation of our Critical Care Garden is now well underway and we hope to reveal more on the progress of this fantastic development in the next issue of our newsletter. The garden will provide patients and their relatives with a safe and tranquil space where they can spend precious time together. When not in use by patients, it will also offer a quiet place for staff
from the critical care unit a place to relax, reflect and take some well-deserved time out. A total of 278 people have raised more than £13,000 for the garden so far and the fundraising page is still open at www.justgiving.com/ campaign/ICUGarden Thank you to everyone who has already donated to this fantastic cause.
Critical Care Garden renovation - results to be revealed!
THIS SUSTAINABLE NEWSLETTER HAS BEEN PRINTED BY MT PRINT DARLINGTON. MT Print offsets the carbon and paper used in creating this product by working with The Woodland Trust and The Woodland Carbon scheme to improve the landscape of Britain by planting more trees and protecting our national heritage of precious woodland.
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MAKE A donation
If you like what you’ve read about the work we do at Our Hospitals Charity, why not make a donation to Our Hospitals Charity at: The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW or Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1JG. You can also drop your donation into our hub near Costa Coffee on The James Cook University Hospital site, where we also take contactless debit card donations. For further information or advice, call us on 01642 854160 or email OurHospitalsCharity@nhs.net I would like to make a donation to:
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Charity No.1056061
Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate.
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