Charity Chatter

CHARITY CHATTER November 2023

Introduction I am excited to welcome you to the first edition of our new QE Charitable Funds newsletter. From January, a quarterly newsletter will be distributed which will allow us to share with you some of the fantastic projects which are being funded by charitable funds across the Trust in support of patients, staff and volunteers. We will be sharing some of the truly inspiring stories from our fundraisers, donors and supporters, exciting upcoming charity events to get involved with and charity news including sharing “special” thanks to the teams who really have touched the hearts of our patients and their loved ones in the outstanding care and support they have provided.

QE Charitable Funds relies on the generosity of our fundraisers, donors and supporters to help us to provide those extras which are above and beyond what we can fund via Trust revenue. We aim to improve the environment and resources in our hospitals for staff, patients and their relatives. The money we receive enables us to provide a more welcoming, comfortable space, in addition to the latest technology modern medicine has to offer, across the healthcare settings within the Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust to go over and above statutory requirements.

We need your support to make a difference for our patients here in Gateshead.

Molly's skydive Molly Hughes completed an extraordinary 15,000ft skydive in memory of her mother, Tricia Hughes, and to give thanks to the St Bede's Team for the magnificent care her mum received during her time on the unit. This skydive was a monumental occasion as it marks the 1st year anniversary since Tricia, unfortunately, lost the battle against ovarian cancer. Molly raised a staggering £3265 to support the ongoing and incredible work of the St Bede's Team.

Felling Magpies charity footy Bowman Coates, coach for Felling Magpies under 11’s team organised a charity match made up of coaches, legacy players and parents of the children who play for the club, with the children coaching the coaches! Bowman with the support of his friends and Bowman, his mam and staff family has raised an from the Chemo Day Unit amazing £1300 so far for QE Charitable Funds to support the Chemo Day Unit Fund following the amazing care his mum has received there.

Bowman is not stopping there… watch this space!

In this edition: Kirsty Roberton Chair of QE Charitable Funds Operational Group

RITA Tyne Zipline Great North Run Round-ups

Golf Grand Slam Colour Run Legacy Story

Charity Registration Number - 1086145

RITA: Innovation in digital therapy New purchase Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust through its charity, QE Charitable Funds, has bought a new digital device that will revolutionise the recovery process for patients in critical care. The device called Rehabilitation and Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA) is specifically designed for bedside delirium prevention and cognitive rehabilitation support with the aim to enhance the wellbeing and communication of patients and their carers in Critical Care (ITU). This state-of-the-art equipment offers a comprehensive suite of interactive activities and therapy tools that stimulate patients, improve their mood and promotes overall wellbeing, all accessible from the comfort of their bedside.

Tyne zipline 17 members of staff and the public took on the zipline from the Tyne Bridge to the Quayside to support QE Charitable Funds. A company called Jelly Legs hosted the event with our brave participants soaring through the sky at speeds up to 25mph whilst enjoying the breathtaking views of the city.

Collectively the fundraisers raised £930 for QE Charitable Funds.

The towering zipline stood at nearly 100 feet tall where participants would take a scary leap from the famous Tyne Bridge. They then flew across the river to land on the quayside, across the road from the law court.

The unique experience allowed our participants to get out of their comfort zone whilst also raising money for the charity. Jelly Legs offers other daredevil activities such as abseiling, skywalk and even a fire walk. Those who took part thoroughly enjoyed their experience with lots of positive feedback received.

QE Charitable FundsTyneside Zipliners

Charity Registration Number - 1086145

Great North Run 2023 On 10 September 2023 15 runners lined up with 60,000 others to take on the Great North Run. These special 15 were running on behalf of QE Charitable Funds and collectively raised over £5890.

“We ran the Great North in support of St Bede’s Palliative Care Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, in memory of my sister Sarah Garrett who passed away in the unit in July 2022.

Despite us all going through the worst experience imaginable, the staff at St Bede’s looked after Sarah and the entire family with such care, compassion and professionalism that I felt I had to do something in return.”

Simon Timms To read about our other runner’s incredible stories about why they ran the Great North Run for QE Charitable Funds, visit their Just Giving pages on our Great North Run news post. If you’ve been inspired to take on the run next year, email ghnt.charitablefunds@nhs.net to secure your place for the Great North Run 2024.

Junior and Mini Great North Run 2023 The annual AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great North Run, one of the UK’s biggest kids’ running took place on 9 September. Six of the participants took on the scenic Quayside route to raise money for QE Charitable Funds. Collectively our junior and minis raised over £1455.60.

The run itself is challenging enough with mini runners taking on a 1.4km route and juniors doing a 4km run. However, things were made harder with the intense weather as the blistering sun challenged our runners even more. Despite all this, our juniors and minis overcame the obstacles and completed their runs making everyone incredibly proud.

If you been inspired to take on the Junior or Mini Great North Run next year? Be sure to email ghnt.charitablefunds@nhs.net to reserve your place for 2024.

You can read more about our Great North Run round-up and our Junior and Mini Great North Run round-up on our website:

Our junior and mini runners Charity Registration Number - 1086145

Golf grand slam Five teams took part in first ever QE Charity Grand Slam Golf Event in competition to win the exclusive Radio Tyneside 2023 Winners Trophy which was swooped up by our very own “FORE” Hour Wait Team made up of staff from U&EC Team. The event sponsored by Ravensworth Golf Club was a great success with all participants winning some amazing prizes. Players are excited to take part again next year.

First corporate partner

“FORE” Hour Wait presented Radio Tyneside 2023 Winners Trophy

Radio Tyneside has become QE Charitable Funds’ first corporate partner via the corporate partnership scheme. The aim of the scheme is to work with local communities and organisations to enhance NHS services and improve patient care.

5K colour run The St Bede's Team smashed the 2023 5k Colour Run Newcastle tackling the Colour Obstacle Rush which included 20 obstacles, 8 colour stations, 20 music stations, foam and much more all in support of the patients they so compassionately care for on the St Bede's Unit.

St Bede’s Team

Thank you!

We want to say a huge thank you to all of our fundraisers and donors for your incredible hard work and dedication over the last few months.

To find out more about all of these amazing stories above, scan the QR code and look at all of our charity articles on our website.

Charity Registration Number - 1086145

Recent legacy Leaving a gift in your Will is a big decision and something our charity feels a special sense of privilege and honour when a legacy has been left to our charity. Therefore leaving a meaningful and lasting legacy will help future patients of Gateshead for years to come.

We were the proud beneficiary of a legacy which was left to our charity in support of research and development within Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Alison Harvey Head of Research and Development

“It was a privilege to receive this extremely generous legacy which was left to our Trust in support of research and development. This legacy has enabled us to fund a research nurse post which has proven to be invaluable as it has not only allowed us to continue with our diabetes trials, but also enabled cross cover across a variety of other specialities across the Trust including working on urgent public health studies looking for a vaccine for the COVID pandemic. The date from these studies along with all of the national data, led to the Dexamethasone vaccine being used to COVID positive patients which help their respiratory issues. Furthermore, the post has allowed us to support new student nurses working within the Trust, enabling them to gain a full understanding of research and their role within it”

What's in store for QE Charitable Funds next?

Light up a life remembrance service

Staff pet calendar

Christmas fayre community fundraiser

30 November

Available from November

02 December

@QECharity

@QEFunds

gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/charity Charity Registration Number - 1086145