Rotherham Hospital CHARITY Newsletter
Issue 002
January 2010
Thank you...
we couldn’t do it without you
Graham & Wendy Russell
Well done Graham!
I
n our last issue we
reported on the gruelling
challenge faced by
Graham Russell, Audio
Services Manager as he
was about to set off on
his mammoth journey of
cycling 212 miles going
coast to cost to raise funds
for Cancer Services. We
are pleased to report that
Graham not only completed
the task but raised over
£3,000.00.
Graham was supported
throughout the ride by his wife
Wendy and it was in recognition
of treatment that Wendy received
from the hospital’s chemotherapy
suite that spurred Graham on to
raise the money for the Unit.
Wendy said, “He wanted to
raise cash and people’s awareness
of the great work that the cancer
department do here. We are
hoping that the money can be
used to make cancer patients and
visitors more comfortable and
hopefully we can help to take their
minds off it all in some way”.
Graham would also like
to thank Bob Stevenson who
provided a camper van for the
weekend following an appeal in
the local media. Without kind
support the trip would have not
taken place l
P
atients on Warncliffe
Ward will be able
to catch up on
their favourite TV
programmes thanks to the
Rotherham Hospital Comfort
Fund and a generous
donation from David Stainrod
and his family.
The comfort fund have been
supporting the Hospital for over
a hundred years and often hold
jumble sales, concerts and other
events to raise cash to help fund
new equipment for patients, visitors
and staff.
It was set up by a group of
friends, some of whom volunteered
with hospital radio Nightingale,
to make the experience for patients
and relatives more comfortable.
Vice president of the group
Arthur Nixon explained that thing’s
have changed a bit since he joined
in the 1930’s:“40 years ago we
were providing essentials like
hairbrushes and toothpaste because
that is all we could afford but then
we were dealing in pennies and
shillings now it is bigger items like
the television”.
Warncliffe Ward manager
Marlene Wilford added:“It will make
a big difference to patients here as
it is large with a bright screen, but
it is also louder so it will be good
for elderly people with sight and
hearing problems. It will make the
lounge a nicer area for relatives
to be able to relax and give the
patients some space.
The group are also looking
forward to Christmas when they
hand deliver gifts to patients and
staff in the hospital l
David Stainrod and Sister Marlene Wilford with
the members of the comfort fund and David’s family
Rotherham Hospital Charity is registered in the UK Number 1054407
coming soon...
Specialist Medicine
A
t the recent Specialist
Medicine Awards
Ceremony on 6
November, £223.20 was
raised for the RHC from the
proceeds of a raffle.
Sally Kilgariff, Business Service
Manager said,
”All who attended had a fantastic
night and we wanted to show our
support for the charity”l
Contact Tracy on 01709 307589 for further information l
It’s a knockout champions lay down the gauntlet
T
eams battled it out
to become Knockout
champions in this
thrilling competition.
A1 Taxis scooped the coveted
first prize position and vowed
to defend their title next year
when the event returns. Team
captain Sadaquat Ali said,“It
was a great feeling to win
this competition because
we didn’t think we had a
chance and were really under
prepared.
Winners, A1 Taxis
It’s a knockout commentator
with Rebecca Allinson
2
We intend to defend our title
next year so bring on the
competition!”
All the teams threw themselves
into the competition completing
crazy games and challenges in the
style of the 70’s BBC TV show.
Hospital teams from Pre
Assessment Centre, X Ray and the
Prescribing team joined competition
from Clifton Comprehensive School,
Crookes Vets, Merryweathers and
NHS Rotherham amongst others.
The event which took place at
the Outokumpu Sports & Social
Club in Rotherham has so far raised
over £6,000.00 in sponsorship and
donations are still coming in.
Two charities will benefit
immensely from this successful
event, the Rotherham Hospital
Charity and the Rotherham Hospice.
Back by popular demand next
years event will be on Sunday 18
July 2010. Register your interest
today and secure your team a place.
A box of chocolates to the best
caption of what made Rebecca
Allinson laugh so much…
email to tracy.williams@
rothgen.nhs.uk l
Providing And something for
comfort in the kids...
times of
need
Ann Harriman from the Palliative
Care team put a proposal together
to provide Comfort Packs for
relatives. Ann’s idea was supported
by funds from Rotherham Hospital
Charity and it is now receiving really
good feedback. Comfort Packs for
relatives are proving that great
ideas can become great successes.
Relatives that find themselves
coming to hospital at short notice
to support a loved one can now
request a pack which contains items
such as toothpaste, brush, soap and
shampoo.
Ann said, “Sometimes patients
are rushed into hospital and their
relatives find that they have not had
time to bring a few essentials so the
packs are one less thing for them
to worry about. The response so far
has been very good and relatives
have said how appreciative they are
to have this service available”l
Fun and games
aid recovery
O
akwood Centre
for Rehabilitation
Medicine (OCRM)
is one of the latest
departments to benefit from
donated funds. A request
for funding was made to
Rotherham Hospital Charity
to provide new games and
activities for patients such as
table football, free standing
Connect 4, Carpet Bowls, a
Wii games console and many
other items.
available the fun element has
been brought back encouraging
a healthy competition amongst
the patients. It’s great to see our
patients participate and focus on
the activities, getting pleasure from
something they enjoy while aiding
their recovery”.
Hospital volunteers Pat Wiles
and Pam Strong help out at the unit
every Wednesday afternoon and
their dedication and encouragement
towards the patients has proved
invaluable. Pam was inspired to
become a volunteer by her daughter
who works at The Rotherham
NHS Foundation Trust said,
“To see the enjoyment and fun had
by the patients when playing the
games is what makes volunteering
worthwhile” l
These have had a positive impact
on the patients. Clinical Specialist
Physiotherapist John Brinkley said,
“The original games were tired
and needed updating and patients
were not keen to interact using
them. With all the new activities
Ann Harriman
3
A
t last something
to keep the kids
quiet and occupied.
Simon McCormick’s
award winning idea has
been brought to life to
help release the boredom
of children.
The packs supported from
charitable donations contain
crayons, activity booklet, stickers
and a game and are available
initially in A&E and in Pharmacy but
will be available for all areas of the
hospital where children are present
and waiting if they prove to be a
success. The booklet will reflect
the hospital environment and
have child friendly descriptions.
The outcome is sure to be a happier
and more relaxed child (and parent)
as they are introduced to Dr Ted,
Rosie Rabbit and Percy Penguin l
Coming
soon
to A&E
N
emo and Marvin!
A fish tank will soon
be installed in the
A&E department to
improve the environment and
provide a worthy attraction
(and distraction) for patients.
Lesley Hammond, Deputy
Business Manager said, “ The
department is very often the
patients first contact with the
hospital so we want to ensure it is
a successful and positive experience
which includes the surroundings.
Artificial plants and a fish tank will
make a more pleasant place
to be” l
Gamma Scanner Appeal hits £100,000
N
HS Rotherham, Oak
House, Bramley
recently hosted
a coffee morning
which raised £175.91.
Members of the Gamma
Scanner Committee baked
delicious cakes and buns
which went down a treat
with the staff, not a crumb
was left!
Julia D’Silva Nurse Consultant
at RFT organised a curry evening
at the Sitwell Arms in Whiston
on 12 September. Diners were
treated to authentic Indian cuisine
and entertained by the Clogiron
Brothers. The successful event raised
£1050.00.
A Summer Garden Party hosted
by Margaret Oldfield, Chairman of
The Rotherham NHS Foundation
Trust was a huge success and
£938.11 was raised for the Appeal.
Elegance and Style came to
the Consort Suite on 14 October
when 117 people attended a Ladies
Luncheon. Sasha from ‘Forget me
Not’ created exquisite floral displays
which were raffled off at the event
and Mrs Elizabeth Bloomer was
guest speaker. A fantastic £2,000.00
was raised at this ever popular
event l
G
Climbing great
heights for charity
amma Scanner
committee member
Ann Ogley has
raised hundreds
of pounds by completing
a gruelling sponsored
climb to the top of Mount
Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Ann says:“Climbing Kilimanjaro
was a lifetime ambition and I was
thrilled to get the chance to do it
and at the same time raise money
for the Gamma Scanner Appeal.
My dad was a surgeon at the
hospital for almost thirty years so
I feel a strong connection to the
place. I know the money I have
raised will make a real difference
to patients” l
gley
Ann O
A big thank you!
T
he Gamma Scanner
Appeal Committee
members continue
to work tirelessly to
raise significant sums of
money and awareness for the
appeal. From baking delicious
buns and cakes to organising
high profile events we give
special thanks for all your
hard work and dedication to
the appeal.
Kath Copp appeal Chairman
said, “The appeal is so critical for
the health and well being of the
Rotherham Community and the
purchase of an extra scanner means
local people can be seen more
quickly and then receive the right
treatment”l
4
I’m all shook up
T
he king himself is
fundraising for the
Children’s Ward
this Christmas. In
fact not one but two Elvis
impersonators are starring at
Liquid Night Club, Rotherham
for a Vegas style show not to
be missed. The show promises
to be energetic, funny and
entertaining for all the family.
The man behind the Elvis suit
is life long fan Chris Sturman who
works in Theatres at Rotherham
Hospital. Chris who is joined by
his colleague Phil Brasher has
performed many events for charity
and hopes this show will raise a
significant sum of money for the
Children’s Ward.
Introducing...
Chris said (in an Elvis voice
of course) “Kids that come into
hospital feel safe and secure when
their surroundings are child friendly.
We would like to make their stay
in hospital as comfortable as
possible and if we can provide extra
equipment, games etc that would
really help with their recovery. The
staff on the wards do a fabulous job
and we would like to support them
as much as possible.”
T
his new appeal will
be launched in March
2010 and is all about
improving End of Life
Care for the people
of Rotherham.
NEWS FLASH
We need to raise funds to
improve the level of care we can
provide for those patients who die
in hospital and one which will also
encompass their families. We want
to ensure that everyone is treated
as an individual, with dignity and
respect in familiar surroundings
and in the company of family and
friends.
The money raised will help
support a ‘home from home’ where
patients can be cared for with the
support of relatives and friends. An
en-suite room decorated like home
with facilities for relatives to stay
and spend time with their loved
ones.
So far Elvis has raised over
£1800.00 and there’s still more to
come. l
Photograph courtesy of Helen Scanlon
Chris Sturman and Phil Brasher
A ‘comfort pack’ for relatives
who arrive with little or no notice
and have come unprepared.
The provision of packs containing
comb, toothbrush, toothpaste,
deodorant, tissues and soap etc will
be one less thing for them to worry
about.
A ‘chill out’ area for relatives to
relax and have privacy from others
and from the patient which may be
required at times.
A full calendar of events will be
available and published from March
onwards. If you would like more
information on the appeal or would
like to help fundraise for the appeal
please contact Rebecca or Tracy on
01709 307589.
With your continued support we
can make a difference l
The only pantomime to see Hospital
in Rotherham this year
gift
H
undreds of people
joined us for a rib
tickling evening
of comedy and
laughter as The Rotherham
Players presented Cinderella,
a pantomime for all the
family on Friday 4 December
at Oakwood College,
Rotherham.
Yet again Suzanne Davies,
MacMillan Lung Cancer Nurse
Specialist, produced another
fantastic pantomime for the staff
to show off their acting skills to the
public (oh no they didn’t).
The cast worked hard to give
Rotherham the best Panto
performance this year! It was a
great night of entertainment and
fun for all ages. The acting gets
worse but the donations keep
coming in raising over £1,000
breaking all records of previous
years. All proceeds were donated to
the Gamma Scanner Appeal l
H
elp us raise money
for Rotherham
Hospital Charity
to support and enhance
patient care.
Simply register The
Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
on the Hospital Gift website
and every time you buy through
Gift, a donation is made to the
charity.
Always shop online at:
www.hospitalgift.co.uk l
Ugly sister Mick Feek
5
Scooter Fans support
Breast Care Awareness Day
Mayor of Rotherham - Shaukat Ali joins the
Rotherham All Saints Scooter club
O
ver 60 scooter fans
from the Rotherham
All Saints Scooter
Club joined the
Mayor of Rotherham,
Councillor Shaukat Ali at the
Chatum Suite to help promote
the importance of regular
breast screening and breast
awareness.
The successful event held on
the 10th October was open to
the general public and had staff
available for information plus stalls,
tombola, raffle and a children’s
6
corner. Carol Barrass, programme
manager of the breast Screening
Unit said, ‘It was a day to break
down barriers and for people to feel
comfortable with the surroundings
and equipment of the unit. We
wanted to encourage staff, patients
and the public to look around our
purpose built facilities and meet the
friendly staff.
A huge thank you to everyone
who attended and for raising
£285.00 for the Hospital Charity.
The Advertiser has a picture of
the scooters l
A night of Glamour comes to Rotherham
O
ver 100 hundred
ladies enjoyed a
fabulous ladies
evening held @
The Courtyard, Wickersley,
Rotherham in aid of the
Rotherham Hospital Charity.
An amazing £500 was raised on the
night.
Courtyard proprietor Dave
Allsopp said, “We are a local
business and as such feel very
passionate about supporting a local
charity. Everyone had a fun evening
and as the evening proved such a
The fashion show was a huge
success with local businesses,
Uber & Moda showcasing their
new winter collections. The
entertainment was provided by
Chrissy White and the evening’s
highlight was a visit from the local
fire brigade to help sell raffle tickets.
great success we intend to continue
supporting the charity with other
events throughout next year.“
Special thank you to Bev Jarvis for
sponsoring the Vodka Ice Statue l
Photograph taken by Rotherham Advertiser
Your gift, our future
F
or many years,
patients, families
and friends have left
legacies as a sign
of appreciation for the
wonderful work and service
provided by our hospitals.
This money has helped to
improve patient care and
facilities and supports new
methods of diagnosis and
treatment.
‘We make a living
by what we get, we
make a life by what
we give.’
Rotherham Hospital Charity – Help us make a difference.
Sir Winston Churchill.
Title:
I would like to make a donation of £
I enclose a cheque/postal order (please make cheques payable to
Rotherham Hospital Charity).
First Name:
Surname:
Home Address:
Post Code:
If you are considering leaving
a legacy gift, we can help you
through the process. In order to
leave a legacy you need to write a
will, which can easily be arranged
by contacting a solicitor. Please
find enclosed our legacy leaflet
that will guide you through the
process and answer any questions
you may have l
Tel no:
E-mail address:
Gift aid it
7
If you are a UK taxpayer, under the Government’s Gift Aid scheme Rotherham Hospital Charity can reclaim The tax you have already paid on your Gift. Please tick the box below if you would like RHC to reclaim the tax on your gift.
As a Uk taxpayer I acknowledge that I must have paid an amount of Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax equal to the tax deduction from this donation.
Thank you for your support.
Introducing Tracy
Q What is it about working with
The Rotherham NHS Foundation
Trust that attracted you?
A Fundraising on a much larger
scale, for a hospital that puts patient
care at the centre of everything it does.
Tracy Williams
Fundraiser
T
racy Williams has just
started work with
The Rotherham NHS
Foundation Trust and
we are thrilled to have her
on board. To introduce her to
you all we asked her a few
questions…
Q Can you tell us a bit about
your previous job role and
Organisation?
A I previously worked as Community
Fundraiser for The Rotherham Hospice.
It was my job to organise events such
as the Summer Fair, Valentine Ball,
Dress Swap, Race Nights, Midnight
Memory Walk and many other things.
Q What is one thing that
people don’t know about you
that they might find surprising?
A I have sung and partied with Rod
Stewart at the NEC. Many years ago I
was fortunate to be invited to join Rod
and his then girlfriend Rachel Hunter
for a meal and sing a song after his
concert. We all had a fantastic night
and Rod was a true star.
Q What do you think will be
your biggest challenge?
A Fundraising in the current
economic climate. Every charity is
fighting for the same pound and I
want to encourage the patients, staff
and people of Rotherham to support
Rotherham Hospital Charity to make a
real difference.
Q If you were an animal, what
would you be and why?
A I would probably be a pampered
pooch – laze around all day not
worrying about having a bad hair day
or going to the gym!
Q What are you most looking
forward too?
A The Staff Pantomime! I’ve heard it
is a great team effort with lots of fun
and great laughs. (Oh no it isn’t). My
ideal part would be to play an ugly
sister from Cinderella as it would only
mean me wearing no make up!
Fundraising at Tesco
Hospital Ho-Down
Motown Night
Charity Golf Day
James Bond Evening
If you would like more
information regarding the
forthcoming events please
call Tracy on 01709 307589
Q If you had a super power
what would it be and how
would you use it?
A To be invisible and go into the
Manchester United changing rooms!
Or more exciting the RFT board of
directors meeting. No Competition!
Q Where would you most like
to visit in the World and why?
A It would have to be New York – I
love shopping and where better to
shop! I also enjoy the theatre so I could
combine this with a trip to Broadway.
Q Is it true that you have to
be good fun and a bit cheeky to
be a Fundraiser and does that
describe your character?
A That’s definitely true. I want to
put the FUN back into fundraising l
Your hospital charity needs you
E
ven if you don’t fancy
climbing a mountain or
running a marathon for
charity, there are lots of
ways you can help and some
from the comfort of your own
home...
Firstly, there is www.everyclick.
com With this internet search
engine you can raise money for
your chosen charity simply by
searching the internet. If you
would like to support us in this
way please visit www.everyclick.
com/rotherhamhospitalcharity and
register. You can make this search
engine your home page and raise
money as you browse!
You can even raise money for
us as you shop on the internet.
At www.easyfundraising.com
you have access to a wide range
of on line stores but instead of
going straight to their site, shop
through easyfundraising.com, select
Rotherham Hospital Charity to
support and a percentage of what
you spend will get donated to us.
Coming
soon...
How does this work?
It may sound too good to be true,
to donate for free by searching
and shopping? But you can. This
is all thanks to the arrangements
the websites have set up with their
own suppliers and advertisers. There
really is no cost to you.
And finally, if you would like
to do a sponsored event for us or
simply donate on line, then you will
soon be able to at www.justgiving.
com/rotherhamhospitalcharity
and support us on line. As a
fundraiser, you can use justgiving to
set up your own fundraising page and email your friends and family for
their support! l
Foundations
This is the second issue of our
newsletter so we would value
your input and feedback. If you
have anything you would like to
feature in future issues or any
fundraising ideas you would
like to discuss please call us on
01709 307589w.
Alternatively, if you would
rather not receive our newsletter,
please contact our fundraising
office on 01709 307589 or email:
[email protected] or write
to us at:
Head of Fundraising
Rotherham Hospital
Moorgate Road
Rotherham
S60 2UD
If you received a hard copy
and would prefer to receive a copy
by email or if you have received
more than one copy, please let
us know and we will amend our
database accordingly l
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