Our Champion Fundraisers

A fantastic Charity Night organised by Emerald Florists and Kaff's Kards back in June has made a world of difference to the Children's ward

Louise Lines and Una Krogh of Emerald Florists in the Stevenage Indoor Market, together with their friend Kath Haverson of Kaff's Kards raised over £2,300 at the charity night hosted by Astrium, and from sponsored events and raffles with fabulous prizes donated by companies from all over Stevenage.

Kath said “people were so generous in donating prizes and surprised us with their determination to do all sorts of wild and wonderful things to raise money on the night. A very hairy man had his chest waxed, a couple of guys spent the whole evening dressed as women and we shaved the hair off a man who had previously had a very long ponytail. Three great local bands performed for free and everyone really enjoyed themselves”.

Louise explained that as mums they have all spent time on the children's ward at one time or another and know what a really special place it is for kids and their parents. “It's been great fun raising the money and we plan to do it all over again next year”.

Kath Evans, Lead Nurse for Children's Services will be buying five new oxygen saturation monitors for the ward. “Many children are admitted with asthma and breathing difficulties, especially as the winter draws in. It's essential we are able to monitor the level of oxygen in their blood and the new monitors will mean we have equipment immediately available when a child needs it. We can never underestimate the real difference money raised at charity events makes for patients at the hospital. On behalf of every child who will benefit, we want to thank Louise, Una and Kath for their amazing efforts”.

Alison Garland is a woman with a mission! She wanted to do something to make a real difference to staff and patients as a way of saying thank you for the care she had received on Ward 6A

Alison works for Gratte Brothers, a Building Services Company with an office in Stevenage. The company, along with Fast Track Management Services held a Christmas Raffle and Charity Golf Event raising a total of £2,800. A personal donation from one of the company directors increased the fund to £3,000.

Alison said “The care, support and emotional comfort extended to me from the Staff of Ward 6A, after undergoing major surgery, was phenomenal. It was very apparent to me and fellow patients that the staff put patient care at the forefront, this being displayed by the team’s caring and warm attitude.

“I just wanted to give something back to them. I knew they were desperate for an ECG machine and set out thinking how I could raise the money for them to purchase this equipment.”

Family fun helps Lister’s children’s ward

An exciting family fun day at Astrium's Stevenage site on 7 July brought happiness to children and staff of the Lister hospital when £540 raised on the day was donated to the Lister hospital's children's ward. The day included a vintage car display, fun fair, remote controlled boats, pottery painting, flight simulator, Gunge the manager and even ferret racing!

Organisers Joan Coburn and Jan Woods of Astrium were delighted to present a cheque on Wednesday 1 August to the lead nurse for paediatric services, Kath Evans, and play specialist, June Frendo.

Sports teacher Lee Falanga and customers at the Crooked Billet in Symonds Green raised £505 for the Building Blocks Appeal, which funds items to enhance the care of children and babies being treated at the Lister hospital, recently.

Pictured Left to Right: Michelle Selby of Barclays Bank, Kath Evans, lead nurse for children's Services at the Trust, Stuart Hiley, manager of the Crooked Billet, Daniel Fletcher, the Trust's head of fundraising and fundraiser Lee Falanga

Thanks to the generosity of Barclays Bank in Old Stevenage, the total was doubled to over £1,000.

Lee wanted to raise money towards the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust's Building Blocks appeal because his life was saved at the Lister hospital when he had meningitis as a baby. Lee explained: “We had a fun- packed day at the pub with events for children during the afternoon and then moved on to an auction of single lads and lasses in the evening and various other entertaining competitions.”