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2024 Awards Special Edition

Our first awards ceremony, in 2022, coincided with our 10th anniversary celebrations and it was such a success, we decided to make it an annual event.

It has two key purposes; firstly, we want to showcase and celebrate the work of our care assistants. And secondly, we want to bring together members of our business community to thank them for their support and recognise the role they play in the East Kent community.

With thanks to all our Partners and Awards Sponsors:

• Abacus Associates Financial Services

• Carlos Dominguez Photography

• East Kent Chambers of Commerce

• Howell & Hicks Creative

• Kent Workwear

• M&L Travel

www.caremark.co.uk/thanet

www.caremark.co.uk/dover

www.caremark.co.uk/canterbury

• MP Environmental Pest Control

• Payments Matter

• Simply Design

• Virtec IT Solutions

• WBS Copiers & Printers

SEPSIS AWARENESS & FUND RAISING

We have also added an extra element this year, by nominating a charity to raise money for. Our chosen charity is The UK Sepsis Trust and we plan to fundraise, and also raise awareness of sepsis, through a variety of initiatives and events.

Over the last few years, we have raised over £6000 for The UK Sepsis Trust, and two years ago, we began our own initiative called ‘Making Ellie Count’, named after, Ellie, the daughter of Kerry Hill, Caremark Thanet and Canterbury’s Registered Manager and Director. Ellie sadly died from sepsis in 2015 at just 11 months old. Her story is heartbreaking and heart-wrenching, and made more tragic by the fact her life could have been saved. If sepsis is caught in time, it can be treated by antibiotics. And even though it can be identified by a blood test, until recently, there hasn’t been a single, definitive test available.

During the last 12 months though, Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals have developed a new blood test. The test is non-invasive, inexpensive, produces results in 45 minutes, and could bring about a “paradigm shift” in treatment.

As Dr. Andrew Retter of Guy’s and St Thomas’ explains, early detection of sepsis is critical because “Sepsis is the number one cause of death in hospitals and mortality increases as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed.”

‘Making Ellie Count’ is focused on raising awareness of sepsis. If we know the signs of sepsis, we’re more likely to have the confidence to ask a simple question: could this be sepsis?

By asking this question of medical professionals you could save someone’s life.

Somewhere in the world, someone dies of sepsis every three and a half seconds; that’s approximately one death every three and a half heartbeats

ELLIE’S STORY

In the tender months before Ellie’s first birthday, she was a vibrant and active baby, full of life and curiosity. However, in 2015, at just 11 months old, she tragically succumbed to sepsis, a devastating condition that can often be difficult to detect in its early stages.

Ellie’s decline began subtly. Over the course of a couple of days, she started refusing food and vomiting. Concerned, her parents took her to the doctor, who told them something was amiss. Ellis was diagnosed with tachycardia, a condition characterised by an abnormally fast heart rate, prompting an urgent rush to the hospital.

Once there, the medical team quickly placed Ellie in an observation bay. Recognising her dehydration and fever, they administered Dioralyte and Calpol. While these treatments temporarily alleviated her symptoms, they inadvertently masked the underlying infection that was silently advancing. At that moment, neither the hospital staff nor her parents realised Ellie was battling an infection that could escalate into sepsis.

Slumped in her mother’s arms grumpy and irritable, it took 12 hours to bring Ellie’s temperature down and she finally passed urine. With these apparent signs of recovery, the family were discharged with a diagnosis of viral tonsillitis.

Once home, Ellie remained unsettled. In an effort to soothe her, her mother took her for a long drive and then put her to bed early, hoping for a good night’s rest for her and her siblings - Ellie’s twin sister, Evie, and her older sisters, Gracie and Millie, were all under the age of four at the time.

The next morning, as the other children were being prepared for school, Ellie was checked on. Devastatingly, she was found lifeless and in a panic, 999 was called and CPR was performed until the ambulance crew arrived to take over. Ellie was rushed to the hospital, with her parents following in the paramedic’s car. But despite their efforts, it was too late and little Ellie had passed away.

Ellie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the stealthy, deadly nature of sepsis, particularly in young children, and her memory serves as a poignant call to action for better understanding of the condition and more vigilant healthcare practices. Early detection and treatment are crucial, and recognising the signs can save lives. No parent should have to endure such a loss, and through increased awareness, we hope to prevent similar tragedies in future.

MAKING ELLIE COUNT

A year of charity events for Sepsis Awareness

This year, Caremark has proudly hosted two charity events for our ‘Making Ellie Count’ campaign which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for sepsis research and support. And thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of our community, we’ve made remarkable strides toward our goal!

Football Charity Match - August 18th

Our campaign’s first-ever football charity match was held in summer sunshine on August 18th, with Caremark facing off against Manvfat. It was an exciting game full of memorable moments, from spirited gameplay to a spectacular penalty that will go down in Thanet football history!

It was a family-friendly day with plenty of fun activities for all ages, including a tombola, bouncy castle, ice cream, and a thrilling “Beat the Goalie” challenge. We extend heartfelt thanks to the local businesses that sponsored and supported this event, helping to create a fantastic day for everyone involved.

Charity Music Day - September 8th

On September 8th, Debbie Day from Academy FM hosted an incredible Charity Music Day at the Pavilion in Broadstairs.

A lineup of talented live bands donated their time and music to support Making Ellie Count, creating a vibrant atmosphere while spreading sepsis awareness. This event not only raised funds for the Sepsis Trust, but also served as a reminder of the importance of early recognition and intervention in fighting sepsis.

Total funds raised

Through these two events, we’ve raised an impressive £4,000 for the Sepsis Trust. Adding this to the contributions from previous events, our campaign has now raised a total close to £6,000!

Thank you to everyone who joined us, donated, and supported Making Ellie Count. Your participation has a direct impact on sepsis awareness and research. Stay tuned for more upcoming events as we continue this meaningful journey together!

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted

Passion & Positivity

Through Caremark, I am now channelling my passion to make a positive impact in honour of Ellie. By leveraging events and training, we are raising awareness and making a real difference. This is a meaningful way to drive change and inspire others to join in this important journey.

Kerry Hill, Registered Manager and Director, Caremark Thanet and Canterbury

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALEC WALLER

Alec Waller, born and raised in Tottenham, dedicated his life to his family, his work, and his passions. He met his beloved wife at a young age, and together they built a life filled with love and shared memories. Alec married his wife in 1955, and together they raised two children, Martin and Janet. Alec was also a proud grandfather of four and great-grandfather of five.

Professionally, Alec worked as a quantity surveyor throughout his career, demonstrating dedication and diligence in his field. He valued staying active and enjoyed both golf and tennis. An avid sports enthusiast, Alec was known for his love of fitness and his passion for life. Even in his later years, he remained active and enjoyed the camaraderie of those around him, including his carers, whom he appreciated greatly.

Alec passed peacefully on October 18, 2024, surrounded by the family he cherished. In honour of his memory and his family’s wishes, a donation of £405 has been made to ‘Making Ellie Count’, our campaign dedicated to fighting and raising awareness of sepsis.

Alec’s memory lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the legacy of kindness and joy he leaves behind.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We had a number of aims for Caremark Thanet when it came into being in November 2012.

As well as being engaged in the local business community, another aim was to be heavily engaged in the wider local community.

We now provide care in the districts of Thanet, Canterbury and Dover, and Community Engagement is at the heart of what we do.

Over the last 12 years, we have raised significant amounts of money for charities including Demelza Hospice, East Kent Hospitals Dementia Appeal, and of course, our own ‘Making Ellie Count’ campaign.

Other activities include attending numerous community events, and organising our own events. For example, this year we have run two dementia awareness sessions for local businesses. We also chair the Thanet Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), give lectures to students at Broadstairs College, and sponsor a car for Academy FM.

And that is just a taste of our community involvement. We believe passionately that it benefits local businesses, and local business people, to be involved in their communities. And contributing to what happens locally adds - perhaps in an indefinable way - to the store of community well-being.

We have therefore decided to make a special award this year to someone who has made a significant contribution to his, or her, community. Called ‘The Community Champions Award’, it will now be a firm fixture for future Awards Ceremonies.

We can’t reveal the first recipient of the Community Champion award just yet. But if you attend our 2024 Awards Ceremony on 12 December, we think you’ll approve of our choice.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the actions of its members

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at Caremark , for the wonderful care you gave to my mum in the final months of her life. Caremark enabled mum to fulfil her wish to continue living at home right to the very end, and that was so important to her. The quality of care was exemplary and delivered with great warmth and compassion. Thank you for looking after her for me.”

“To all the carers and office staff who helped look after my Husband, you all showed kindness, patience, and understanding. Thank you to all the office staff who worked in the background, your help, advice, and kindness was very much appreciated.”

“Very professional and efficient service, all care workers were kind and cooperative during their visits.”

“Great company, great service users. Caremark is a company that generally cares about the health and safety and well-being of their staff and customers. I would recommend Caremark.”

“Wanted to write and say a big thankyou for all your care on the night Brian died. Your gentle calmness and compassion helped me get through that awful night. Brian became very fond of all the carers and I like to think that you all cared for him and not just another client. The house seems so empty not just without Brian, but with the loss of all you wonderful people. You and any of your colleagues would be welcome anytime to call for a coffee. Once again many many thanks.”

“Great company, great service. Caremark is a company that generally cares about the health and safety and well-being of their staff and customers. I would recommend Caremark.”