Eddie raises funds for Mardon Former patient Eddie Cattanach has raised £14,500 for our Mardon Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre. Eddie raised the money by cycling 300 miles over five days from Exeter to Cambridge as a thank you for the care he received when he suffered a brain aneurysm in 2013. Eddie, who now works for The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust at The Woodmill, vowed to pay back the cost of his treatment to the NHS, having been cared for at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and then undergoing two weeks of intensive rehabilitation at Mardon. Eddie said: “I asked my neurosurgeon Ramez Kirollos how much money had it costed me to do this? He told me ‘about £32,000 Eddie, but you are here on the NHS’. So I told him - I will get your money back! I’m alive and it’s because of the NHS.” Eddie embarked on his intrepid cycling challenge last September, joined by a team of friends and support drivers. He has raised over £29,000 to date, which has been split between the two hospitals who helped him with his recovery. Eddie plans to take a break from fundraising this year, but hopes to be able to support The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust in 2017.
Eddie (pictured centre) and his team
Eddie added: “A big thank you to Gill Hardy from Mardon, and Emma Clarke (manager) and Serena Dyer (business administrator) who gave me a job - and trusts me. I’m humble with
the NHS and I think about life but I’m positive , positive and POSITIVE!” http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/eddiecattanach
MP visits WEEU to learn more about Sight Loss Advisor service Exeter MP, Ben Bradshaw, recently visited the West of England Eye Unit to learn more about the vital role of a sight loss adviser. Mr Bradshaw spoke with Tracy Wilson about the vital support she provides for people losing their sight. Mr Bradshaw was able to understand how having a sight loss adviser present in an eye clinic can free up the time of consultants, signpost people to services they require to continue to live safely and independently and provide a friendly face at a very difficult time. Tracy Wilson, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, 01392 406126
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