Royal Surrey Charity Matters: supporter magazine - Autumn 2019

Royal Surrey

Autumn/winter 2019-20

Charity Matters “Leaving Sienna felt like I’d left a part of my heart behind.”

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Festive fundraising Page 10

Transforming cancer care Supporter newsletter

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News in brief...

Hello!

Welcome to the autumn/winter edition of your magazine.

It’s been a busy few months since our last issue – something that we’re grateful for as your support means we can do more for our patients: those who may only need to visit for a few hours, and those who need us for longer; those who need us now and those who may need our support in the future – these are the people who are at the heart of everything we do.

This was the driving force behind our latest campaign, Closer to Care, which aims to transform care for some of our most vulnerable patients and their families. Hearing from parents of premature or sick babies, we know how difficult and stressful leaving a baby in special care can be. By redeveloping the hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit, all parents will have the option to stay close to their newborn at any time – day or night. Over the page, you can read why Sadie and Rob support the campaign, and we update you on some of the key successes so far on the back page. We still have a long way to go, but we are thankful for the kindness and generosity you have shown.

We’re a small team of six and we celebrate every donation that is made, every new fundraiser who contacts us and every share or comment on social media. We love hearing your stories and are always inspired by your dedication and passion for the charity.

We can’t wait to get to know more of you in the coming months.

Happy reading!

Analiese Doctrove Head of Fundraising

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Celebrating 71 years of our NHS Thank you to all the individuals, community groups and businesses that raised a cuppa on Friday 5 July to help celebrate the NHS’ birthday. By hosing an NHS Big Tea, you helped raised over £1,000 for our Closer to Care campaign.

Last year, we invested an incredible in a comfortable and welcoming en

Closer to Care clear-out Alfie, aged 9, donated lots of toys, books and games for us to sell at our tabletop sales to raise money for Closer to Care.

Thank you to Alfie and his family for the generous donation, which really does make a difference to the work we can do to support patients. Last year, your donated items raised an incredible £20,000!

Annual BBQ and fete Castle Nursery and Preschool in Guildford raised £329.77 at its annual barbecue and fete in June. Thank you to the nursery for its ongoing support – it has donated over £800.

Did you know we’re the official NHS charity for Royal Surrey County Hospital?

Surrey students get creative

Students from the University of Surrey have donated a total of £2,329.17, after hosting two fundraising events for the charity. ‘The Garden Party’ and a fashion show called ‘The Second’, were organised by two groups of students and raised money for the hospital’s Teenage and Young Adult Cancer service (TYAC).

Read more inspiring stories on pages 8 and 9.

e £950,000 of your generous donations into funding exceptional care nvironment. Read more on pages 6 and 7.

Mayor’s chosen charity We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the Mayor of Guildford’s charities of the year, along with the Prostate Project, which also supports the Trust. Mayor Richard Billington is hosting a number of charity events throughout the year – find details on page 11.

Community Matters Five local Waitrose stores selected us for their Community Matters scheme.

The Community Champions presented us with a cheque recently for £3,129 to support premature or sick babies treated at Royal Surrey.

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Feature: Supporter story

Why I support Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity’s Closer to Care campaign 2019, 5 weeks early and weighing a tiny 3 pounds and 15 ounces. She was taken straight to SCBU, after a very brief cuddle.

Leaving Sienna As I was recovering from a C-section, I was kept at the hospital for a few days, but I couldn’t stay with Sienna overnight in SCBU – this is the case with many neonatal units across the country, because space and resource is so limited, so I had to return to the delivery ward to sleep.

This was heartbreaking as mothers with babies who didn’t need special care were also on this ward, and so I spent the nights listening to other babies crying and worrying that Sienna was crying for me and that I wasn’t there to comfort or look after her. I worried that she wouldn’t know who I was, or that she might think I had abandoned her.

When Sadie and Rob’s daughter, Sienna, was born five weeks premature in February this year, she needed to be closely monitored in the hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). Just a few months on, and the couple are on a mission to support our Closer to Care campaign.

Here, Sadie shares their story and explains what inspired them to support the charity.

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“After a very straightforward pregnancy, I found out at 33 weeks pregnant that I had developed severe preeclampsia – which affects pregnant women and can lead to a rare but serious condition that can cause seizures in pregnancy. After a week of bed rest at Royal Surrey, my consultant decided that it was safer for both the baby and me if she was delivered by planned caesarean section.

Sienna Kate Elford was born the next day on 23 February

But that was nothing compared to how it felt to leave Sienna after I was discharged from hospital without her: that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do – it felt like I’d left a part of my heart behind.

Getting home was surreal – so much had changed, yet here I was at home, without the little girl that had become the most important thing in my life overnight. The moses basket sat at the end of the bed, all ready for Sienna, but

she wasn’t there; it all felt so wrong. SCBU is an amazing place but the only downside is that currently, you are unable to stay overnight with your baby. Being able to stay with Sienna would have made such a huge difference.

The Big Spin It’s a big project and we know the charity needs help to reach the ambitious £500,000 that is needed to complete the unit. That’s why we’ve organised an epic eight-hour spin challenge – The Big Spin for Tiny Babies – on Saturday 12 October at CYC:D Fitness Studio in Haslemere to raise money. help bring

When Rob and I heard about the charity’s Closer to Care campaign, which aims to completely redevelop Will you the unit so that parents families like Sadie and This is such a massively have the option to stay Rob #ClosertoCare for important campaign – overnight, next to their their premature or sick as a new parent, you babies’ cots, we just had just want to be with your to support. Plans for the babies? Donate at baby: caring for them and new unit will also include rschcharity.org.uk getting to know them. By a family room, which will supporting Closer to Care, offer much-needed privacy you can make such a huge for families receiving sensitive difference to the most vulnerable news, and a separate space for newborns and their families.” siblings to play and for visitors to gather.

Find out more about Sadie and Rob’s

event at: rschcharity.org.uk/big-spin

How Rob felt on his first night away from Sienna The most incredible event in my life had just taken place, yet it felt like nothing had changed as I was on my own, going back to my house alone, and trying to sleep alone. I remember feeling numb on the drive home: seeing the empty baby seat and the newly finished nursery made me feel so completely alone – all I could think about was getting back to the hospital in a few hours’ time.

I experienced enormous guilt every single time I had to leave the hospital: the fact that I wasn’t there for my wife and newborn daughter – not because I didn’t want to be, but because I couldn’t be there for them – was heart breaking and so stressful. Leaving her at the hospital left me feeling as if I’d failed in my duties as a father. Having the option to stay with Sienna would have made a huge difference to me as a new dad.

For an update on our Closer to Care campaign so far, see the back cover. Make a donation or find out more at: rschcharity.org.uk/closertocare

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The difference you make

Where your money goes Here are some of the projects your donations have funded...

Helping young patients breathe easy Babies and children admitted to our Paediatric Emergency Department (ED) with respiratory issues can now benefit from an Airvo Optiflow machine. The Airvo delivers high levels of oxygen to patients who are struggling to breathe. The oxygen is warmed through a humidifier system, which helps prevent spasms in the patients’ airways. Kirsty who works at the hospital said: This equipment has made a big difference to our patients and the care we can offer here at Royal Surrey. Babies and older children who come to us with breathing issues – commonly either caused by a virus, such as bronchiolitis, or asthma – can now be treated here in our ED immediately, rather than having to wait for the equipment to be moved from other areas of

the hospital. Prior to having the Airvo, if machines in other areas of the hospital were already being used, babies or children potentially had to be transferred in an ambulance to paediatric intensive care units in London.

Importantly, it also prevents deterioration and therefore aids recovery because we are able to treat them straight away. Thank you for your kind donations which have meant

Thank

Did you know…we also support Milford and Haslemere Community Hospitals?

We have recently delivered age-appropriate activity boxes for patients to use during their stay at the hospitals.

The boxes are filled with a variety of activities, including adult colouring books, games, playing cards and reminiscence cards.

Participating in group or individual activities has multiple benefits for our patients –not only does it enhance their experience of staying in hospital but it can also

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Kirsty Ellis, Paediatric Lead / Advanced Clinical Practitioner

alleviate boredom, reduce anxiety and enhance our patients’ self-esteem and wellbeing.

Fay Wright, Dementia Nurse Specialist

we can treat poorly children here in their local hospital.

£

St Luke’s Cancer Centre offers state of the art diagnostic and treatment services to a population of up to two million across Surrey, West Sussex, Hampshire and to patients from across the UK and abroad.

Transforming cancer care The DNA Sequencer that was funded – thanks to our supporters and a grant from charity, KatCanDo – has been installed in our Molecular Diagnostics lab and is transforming the way cancer patients are treated. It allows healthcare scientists like Bruno (pictured) to analyse the DNA make-up of a patient’s tumour to inform the most effective treatment choice.

The equipment is helping us continue the work we started in 2014 in a much more efficient way. It has provided a better level of automation, which brings in an added level of quality assurance and reproducibility to the DNA sequencing process. Throughput has

you!

also increased. This means more patient samples can be run every week, reducing the waiting time for patients to receive their results back.

Your donations mean we are now able to offer state-ofthe-art diagnostic care to our patients: thank you.

Did you know... our maternity services were rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission?

Approximately 3,000 babies are born at Royal Surrey each year, delivered by our outstanding team of midwives.

Bruno Ping, Laboratory Manager of Molecular Diagnostics Enhanced comfort and experience Over £360,000 has been spent on refurbishing the outpatients’ department at St. Luke’s, to enhance the environment for patients with cancer.

The space has been made much more comfortable with new chairs in the waiting areas and improved lighting. A redesigned layout and better IT access has allowed the clinic to run more efficiently, meaning patients can experience better care and treatment.

The couches, which aid a more active labour, also make Your support has meant we’ve it easier for partners to be been able to fund two birthing much more involved during couches for our maternity and following birth. After birth, suite, which can be moved the couch can be converted into the most comfortable into a double bed to provide a position for mums-to-be during relaxing space where parents labour. can bond with their new arrivals.

Positive birthing

We’d like to thank everyone who has donated to or supported the charity. The birthing couches have made such a big difference to all the mums and dads who’ve used them – they’ve said how wonderfully comfy they are and what a big difference it’s made being Sally Stainer, Birth Centre Team Leader able to cuddle their babies in a more relaxing environment. We really appreciate your support.

To receive all our latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our e-newsletter.

Visit rschcharity.org.uk or email rsc-tr.fundraising@nhs.net.

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Thank you

Extraordinary people doing extraordinary things We are lucky to have some truly incredible supporters doing amazing things to raise money. Here are just a few examples of how you have gone above and beyond recently.

Birthday celebrations benefit cancer patients

Karen (second from left) with her family.

In June, long-time supporter of the charity, Karen West, celebrated her 60th birthday and kindly asked for donations, instead of gifts.

Karen’s thoughtful idea raised a wonderful £1,060.

Karen was joined at her birthday ceilidh (a traditional Gaelic party) by family and friends who she describes as representing “just about all phases of my life: from university to the present day work roles and locations, my church and singing friends.”

Karen created a giant mind map of connections so all the guests could see how they fitted in to her life: “We had people dancing from the age of 8 to 92 and everyone had a great time,” she said.

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Alongside her birthday, Karen also celebrated another milestone – 20 years since she was first diagnosed with cancer. When asked what inspired her to support the charity, she said: “I wanted to do something to show St. Luke’s just how grateful for the amazing treatment over all these years. Mr Danford has been my consultant since my first ‘wobble’, three years after my first operation, and there’s a wonderful nurse, Joy in Maxillo Facial, who has looked after me even longer.

I trust the team implicitly and know they’ve always been there for me. So much better that my family and friends’ money could be used to buy something useful, rather than people giving me flowers

that would be thrown away, bubbly that I would drink and other presents I’d need to make room to house! I was staggered at how much was raised. People were so generous and I’m massively grateful for that.”

Thank you to Karen and to everyone who made donations to her fund. The money raised will buy a state-of-the-art chair for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Karen added: “I so hope it will bring some level of comfort – I have accompanied a couple of friends through chemo and so know something of what they have gone through, so anything that can make it a bit better is great.”

Read more inspiring stories at: rschcharity.org.uk/news

Going the extra mile

No stopping Rebecca Inspiring supporter and cancer patient Rebecca Langley, who survived after her heart stopped four times in three hours, completed her very first half marathon – just 16 months after her stay in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Ten years on from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at just 9-years-old, Emma Payne and her family embarked on a mammoth challenge to raise funds for Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity.

Her parents said: “The day Emma was diagnosed was a day all of us as a family will not forget. She has and continues to inspire us all in how she has managed this disease over the past 10 years.”

In recognition of Emma’s determination over the past decade, the Payne family set out to walk non-stop the 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall which stretches coast to coast across northern England, from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast.

The family walked through the night, only stopping for refreshment breaks. Together, they raised an astounding £4,607, which will support patients with diabetes treated at The Cedar Centre at Royal Surrey.

We are overwhelmed by the Payne family’s support and are so grateful to them for taking on this incredibly tough challenge: thank you Emma and family.

Rebecca was 30-years-old when she was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer and shortly after had her colon and four tumours removed leaving her with a permanent stoma. When Rebecca started chemotherapy, she reacted badly to the medications and suffered two seizures in the space of 24 hours, followed by four cardiac arrests within three hours.

Rebecca said: “I am fully aware that I would not be here if it weren’t for the amazing work of the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Surrey. My overriding memory is of the outstanding care I received; every little detail of my care was thought about, things that you wouldn’t consider until you are in that position.”

She continued: “When I was in Intensive Care I dreamt of being able to jog or walk 5km within a year. I was in so much pain and so weak that I thought that was adventurous. If somebody had told me then that I would have been strong enough to be training for a 13.1 mile run a year later, I definitely would not have believed them.”

Alongside completing the New Forest Half Marathon in two and a half hours, Rebecca has achieved a number of other challenges, all to raise money for the department that saved her life. She added: “I feel that by fundraising for Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, I can do a little something to say ‘thank you’ and help them to continue their life saving work.”

Rebecca continues to add to her impressive £1,270 fundraising total and has also spent the last few months penning a book about her incredible journey to recovery, of which she will kindly donate £1 from each copy sold.

Emma (centre) presents a cheque to Professor Russell-Jones with her family.

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Get involved

Festive fundraising Three ways to make a difference this Christmas and beyond

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Festive Friday

Your donations help…

Provide state-of-theart equipment

s a m t s Chri Day r e p m Ju

Redevelop or refurbish wards Fund innovative research Invest in staff development

Last year, our first-ever Festive Friday raised £2,396. This year, we need your help to spread the word so that even more people take part and help raise vital funds for babies treated in our Special Care Baby Unit. Why not get your school, organisation or club involved?

Christmas Jumper Day is back for a second year! Wear your winter woollies on Friday 13 December (or a day that suits you) and make a donation to Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity. All money raised will support #ClosertoCare (read more about the campaign on pages 4 and 5).

By taking part, you can help transform care for vulnerable newborns – at Christmas and all year round.

Sign up at rschcharity.org. uk/FestiveFriday

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To have received one of your Christmas shoeboxes on Christmas morning was a very emotional experience and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for it. It was a total surprise and so welcome.

Full of incredibly useful things – I had arrived without anything and just the clothes I stood up in – I was truly touched – what a wonderful thing to do.

Christine

Find out more about our events at: rschcharity.org.uk/events

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shoebox appeal

spreadsome some festive cheer cheer...

Help Help spread festive

We want to make sure that people spending Christmas in hospital receive a gift to help brighten their day. You can help by donating a shoebox for adult patients filled with small gifts for someone to open.

How can I support?

1. Get in touch Let us know you’re planning on donating a shoebox by completing the short form on our website or giving us a call on 01483 464146. This will help us to plan for how many shoeboxes are needed, so that every patient receives a gift on Christmas Day.

For more information, visit: rschcharity.org.uk/shoebox

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2. Donate a shoebox 3. Deliver Fill a decorated shoebox with one item from each of the following categories: • Something to wear - for example: socks, scarf, hat or gloves, or a small knitted knee blanket.

• Something to do - for example: puzzle books and pen, pack of cards or dominoes.

• Something to eat - for example: pack of biscuits, bag of sweets or a box of chocolates.

• Toiletries - for example: soap, shower gel, bubble bath, hand cream or shaving foam.

• A small gift - for example: cotton handkerchiefs, nail varnish or a Christmas cracker.

Take part in our events 20 Oct Great South Run 18 Nov - 13 Dec Shoebox deliveries accepted 13 Dec Festive Friday 8 Mar Surrey Half Marathon 12 Mar Superhero Quiz 13 Mar Superhero Day 19 Apr Brighton Marathon 5 Jul NHS Big Tea

Bring your shoebox along to Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity (Level A of hospital), drop it to the hospital’s main reception, or leave at one of our drop off points (listed below) between Monday 18 November and Friday 13 December.

Please ensure all items are new, and shoeboxes are left unsealed (for security purposes) and clearly labelled male or female.

External drop off points Co-op Aldershot Road,

Guildford Co-op Woodbridge Hill,

Guildford Waitrose Bridge Street,

Godalming

Supporter events 14 Oct Charity night at the Shahin (Mayor fundraiser) 22 Nov Spooks, Soups and Sausages!

(Mayor fundraiser) 14 Feb Mayor of Guildford Valentine’s

Ball (Mayor fundraiser) 26-29 Feb The Full Monty (Sunflower Productions) 31 Mar Ladies’ Sparkling Springtime

Afternoon Tea (Mayor fundraiser)

For more about our supporters’ events, email rsc-tr.fundraising@nhs.net or call 01483 464146.

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Our Closer to Care campaign aims to transform care for premature or sick babies and their families.

Closer to Care How you’re supporting Here’s a snapshot of the story so far…

Local bloggers show their support by sharing on social media.

Campaign launches.

Mum Sarah shares her story.

042 , 2 1 £

Around 8 per cent of all babies born at Royal Surrey need special care.

£3,129 Waitrose selects us for its Community Matters scheme in local stores.

AJ Making a Stamp donates hampers for us to sell and give as prizes to help raise funds.

£1,750

£5,937

£1,231 Catherine and Russell Wait organise a fancy dress walk in Cranleigh after both their children were born premature.

Fun, Frolic and Fizz – staff from our SCBU hold a family fun day.

aby r both b fo ts fi e n be e are mor re many There a t when families g in en – includ and par ir babies’ care omes, in the alth outc pital stays e h m involved r d long-te ced hos improve bonding, redu ed enhanc ed stress. uc en and and red for Wom hief

Evans, C Dr Mark Children

£1,115

(so far...) Bridget and John Walton take part in London to Brighton Cycle Ride on a tandem bike for their daughter Zoe.

£8,014

£3,034

(so far...)

Big Spin for Tiny Babies (read Sadie’s story on page 4 for details).

While we can’t thank everyone here, we are incredibly grateful to each and every person who has donated, fundraised or raised awareness so far. To donate, visit rschcharity. org.uk/closertocare or to discuss ways you can help, get in touch.

WWW.RSCHCHARITY.ORG.UK 01483 464146

Supporter Hanna Garrick raises thousands at her event ‘Josie’s Black Tie Ball’, which she hosted after her daughter Josie was cared for in our SCBU.

You’re tea-rrific! Individuals, community groups and businesses hold tea parties to celebrate the NHS’ Birthday and raise vital funds (see page 2 for details).

e of Servic

Will you help bring families #ClosertoCare for their premature or sick babies?

The amount your generous donations total in response to our appeal letter.

*All fundraising totals correct at time of print

rsc-tr.fundraising@nhs.net

@royalsurreycharity

@royalsurreycharity

@RSCHCharity Registered charity no. 1049776