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MARCH 2017 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Race is on for our great fundraisers We’re delighted to see so many people getting stuck into our bumper selection of running events this year. From the Morrisons Great Birmingham 10K to the London Marathon, our fundraisers have it covered, and you can join them! Kelly Jackson (pictured), a former patient who lost her leg after sleepwalking to her car and crashing into a tree, is running the 10K to thank the ‘fantastic’ staff at the hospital that saved her. Kelly, 28, spent three weeks in a coma at QEHB following the crash near her home in Hall Green. Her right leg couldn’t be saved and was amputated above the knee. She said: “I don’t know why I got into my car, but I was found in my pyjamas. “I have no memory of being in the car or the crash itself, I suspect I will never really know what happened but one thing I do know is that I am lucky to be alive.” Kelly spent four months recovering in hospital after the crash, which saw her thrown out of her Mini and trapped beneath the wreckage. She suffered a brain injury and severe burns, has undergone a string of operations to reconstruct parts of her face and still needs more cosmetic surgery. Having already completed a daring abseil in aid of patients at QEHB in 2015, as well as becoming a Patient Advocate for QEHB Charity, Kelly is set to embark on a new challenge as she joins thousands of others at the annual Morrisons Great Birmingham 10K, which takes place in the city centre on Sunday 30 April. She said: “I’ve been training using my new blade, which felt weird at first, but now I’m getting the hang of it. I’m not sure how much
Good luck London Marathon runners Joining Kelly are our brilliant London Marathon runners, who will pound the pavements of the country’s capital on Sunday 23 April, to raise money for QEHB Charity. Solihull GP Arif Zafar may describe himself as the ‘opposite of a runner’ but he’s taken on the challenge of running the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of his mother Shahnaz, who died after a road accident in 2013. Now Arif, 42, is raising money for patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham’s Critical Care Unit. The GP at the Charles Road Surgery in Small Heath aims to raise £2,000 for QEHB Charity. To sponsor Arif please visit justgiving. com/fundraising/Arif-Zafar2 Joining Arif are Chris Thomas, a skin cancer patient at QEHB who is raising money for the skin cancer appeal, Ross Burton, who is raising money for Critical Care in memory of his father, and Adam Johnson, landlord at the Plough, Harborne, who is raising money for young people with cancer. Although places for the Virgin London Marathon 2017 have sold out, you can register your interest to take part next year, by contacting: ƀ laura.power@uhb.nhs.uk
I have no memory of being in the car or the crash itself, I suspect I will never really know what happened but one thing I do know is that I am lucky to be alive. Kelly Jackson, Patient Advocate for QEHB Charity
of the race I will be able to run, but I’ll definitely do my very best to complete the course on the day!” The race is open to people of all abilities and includes several musical waves featuring hits from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 000s. Running as part of QEHB Charity’s team gives you access to training hints and tips, a free professional running vest and plenty of cheering on the day, as well as support leading up to the event. If you’d like to join Kelly and sign up to run the 6.2 mile course in aid of patients at QEHB, please visit www.runforbrum.org
If you’d like to sponsor Kelly, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kellyjackson28 If you’ve been bitten by the running bug and would like to take on more of a challenge, why not consider joining the Morrisons Great Birmingham Half Marathon or the Birmingham International Marathon? Both events are taking place in the city centre in October, and you can sign up to race now! Just go to runforbrum.org to register, or contact Laura Power on 0121 371 4852 for more information.
Inspired to run Kind-hearted occupational therapist at QEHB, Isobel Deeley, has conquered America’s New York Marathon to raise money for the hospital that saved the life of her patient – and now friend – Tunisia terror attack victim, Allison Heathcote. Isobel Deeley (pictured), a 27-year-old from Sutton Coldfield has worked as an occupational therapist at QEHB for three years. During that time, she has met thousands of inspiring patients who have made great progress in the face of adversity, and this was never more true than in the case of Allison, one of many victims of the June 2015 Tunisia mass killing. Isobel said: “I decided to do something I’ve never done before and compete in the New York Marathon to raise money for QEHB Charity, not only because I work at the hospital it supports, but because of a fantastic, strong-willed woman I met through work.” Allison, who was shot five times in the attack, was celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband, who died in the atrocity. Allison was airlifted to QEHB where she endured hours of surgery. She received gun shots to her shoulder, her torso and her right arm, which caused her bones to shatter into 18 pieces. Isobel said: “Allison underwent hours of intense therapy, and I was one of the team of professionals who treated her.”
Dates for your diary Danceathon Snobs Nightclub, Birmingham APR Get your groove on and help raise vital funds, by joining QEHB Charity’s first ever Danceathon. The event will take place at Snobs nightclub at the corner of Hurst Street.
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For further details call 0121 371 4852 or email cathryn.worth@uhb.nhs.uk VIP Day QEHB Charity is inviting schools and community APR groups to dress up as their favourite VIP and raise money for children with cancer who are treated at QEHB.
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For a free fundraising pack or to find out more email sophie.carroll@uhb.nhs.uk or call 0121 371 4852. Curry Night Deedar Indian Restaurant Barnt Green APR Deedar Indian Restaurant, will host a fantastic evening of great food and entertainment, and help raise money for The Giles’ Trust, which supports brain tumour research at QEHB.
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Book your place at qehb.org/events or contact cathryn.worth@uhb.nhs.uk for more information. Born Survivor Capesthorne Hall, Manchester MAY Are you a Born Survivor? Join QEHB Charity at Manchester’s Capesthorne Hall and take on the ultimate military obstacle course. Registration for QEHB Charity supporters is reduced to £50, inc. return travel to Manchester.
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For more info visit qehb.org/events or call Justine Davy on 0121 371 4852. Aegon Classic Tennis Tournament Priory Tennis Club JUN Join QEHB Charity for a fantastic day of tennis and see some of the world’s most famous tennis players take to the court. QEHB Charity is offering discounted upper tier seating for just £5 per ticket, as well as a luxury hospitality option for £99 including a champagne reception, three course lunch, afternoon tea and free bar throughout the day.
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It wasn’t long before the pair struck up a strong friendship. Isobel said: “Allison is an amazing woman who went through unbelievable trauma. She is a true inspiration, moving on in her life in positive way, despite facing such unthinkable tragedy.” So, inspired by Allison’s journey, Isobel decided to compete in the marathon and has raised hundreds of pounds in support of other patients, as they undergo occupational therapy at QEHB and begin to rebuild their lives. Allison said: “The whole hospital was amazing and I can’t thank everyone who was involved in saving my life enough. Isobel was part of the fantastic therapy team who supported me throughout my rehabilitation and it is so wonderful that she wants to give back to the hospital and the charity that helped me to rebuild my life.”
To join us visit qehb.org/events or contact justine.davy@uhb.nhs.uk for more information.
To find out how you can support the work of QEHB Charity get in touch with the team via the website or email charities@uhb.nhs.uk
To make a donation to any of the appeals mentioned please visit qehb.org or contact the QEHB Charity team on 0121 371 4852