Young fundraiser Grace has hair cut off for SCBU Appeal

Posted on October 31, 2016March 6, 2018

A local family from Filleigh are dynamic fundraisers to the hospital charity Over and Above. Helen Bray, and her brothers, Alan and Chris Bulled raised £12,091.46 towards the Chemotherapy Appeal at the North Devon District Hospital, and were appointed as Over and Above Ambassadors for their phenomenal support to the hospital charity. Sadly Alan lost his battle with cancer and passed away earlier this year.

Their Great Niece Grace Bucknell of Witheridge is now walking in the family’s fundraising footsteps. Grace’s mum, Ruth, said “Grace was watching a tv advert a few months ago which was promoting how cut hair was made into wigs for children who had lost their hair through illness, and Grace said that she wanted to have her hair cut to help. Grace’s hair was 14” in length, so she asked family and friends at school and at her grandparent’s 40^th wedding anniversary party to sponsor her hair cut”.

So far, Grace has raised a phenomenal £600 through online and off line sponsorship but she hopes to raise even more for the Special Care Baby Unit. Her hair will be sent to a charity specialising in supporting wigs for children.

Headlines hairdresser, Sarah Francis, cut Grace’s hair in her salon in Fremington. Sarah said “I was a little nervous because Grace wanted a lot of hair cut off but I could see that she was determined to have it done. Her new bob style really suits her, and it looks great. It is wonderful that Grace wanted to help other children”.

Sarah and Grace before the cut

Sarah and Grace after the cut

The Special Care Baby Unit Appeal has now raised a fantastic £160,000 towards its target to purchase much needed equipment for our Unit. You can support Grace by donating to her fundraising website https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ruth-bucknell

i-Pad donation by local business helps NDHT stroke patients communicate

Posted on October 31, 2016March 6, 2018

Over and Above ambassador and local businessman Steve Boden, Director of Boden Group Facilities based at Roundswell in Barnstaple, has donated several i-pads to the hospital charity to support patients at the North Devon District Hospital and local community hospitals.

Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist Ruth Siewruk showing a stroke patient the i-pad, Assistant Practitioner Jemma Sampson and Neuro-Rehabilitation Lead Emma Cork

Steve said “I was pleased to donate the i-pads to the hospital charity so that they could offer them to various departments at the hospital to help their patients on the wards. I was very proud and privileged to be made an ambassador of the Over and Above charity, the Charity helps so many people with such a diverse number of injuries and illnesses and it is a pleasure putting my time to such a worthy cause.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “When I took one of the i-pads to the stroke unit at Bideford Hospital, the staff were thrilled to bits. They couldn’t wait to show it to one of our stroke patients who is being cared for on Elizabeth Ward”.

Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist Ruth Siewruk said “The i-pads enable us to support our patients with their rehabilitation, exercises and recovery”.

Recently the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust introduced the www.mytherappy.co.uk app review website which has been designed to assist patients and therapists in finding useful apps to aid recovery following a stroke or brain injury. Using the right app is key to incorporating them successfully into patient rehabilitation.

www.mytherappy.co.uk is an excellent tool and allows therapists and patients all over the country to work together to share apps and information.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “i-pads are a wonderful modern way for our staff to help our patients who have suffered from a wide range of illnesses such as stroke, Parkinson’s multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and dementia to support their communication. Additionally, our Special Care Baby Unit also use ipads to enable new mums to see their babies in the ventilators from their hospital bed, giving reassurance that their baby is doing well at a very stressful and difficult time. ”

The hospital charity welcomes donations of i-pads and Android tablets to support our hospital patients and we would be delighted to receive more.

North Molton Youth Group clean up village and raise money for SCBU

Posted on October 18, 2016March 6, 2018

North Molton Youth Group raised a fantastic £325 for the North Devon District Hospital Special Care Baby Unit.

The young people aged between 13 – 18 years gave up their free time to clean their village of North Molton in the summer led by Youth Leader Michael Courtney. During the clean up they collected donations from the local community.

Over and Above fundraiser Julie Whitton said “It was great to meet this fantastic group of young people who had worked very hard to keep their village clean and tidy. Their fundraising will help the charity Over and Above to provide our nurses and doctors with new equipment to look after our smallest patients that are cared for in our Special Care Baby Unit.”

Duncan completes 3 marathons in 3 days on an incredible Atlantic Coast Challenge

Posted on October 11, 2016March 6, 2018

School teacher Duncan Hughes completed a mammoth challenge 3 marathons in 3 days last weekend.

The 78.6 mile Atlantic Coast Challenge along the South West Coast Path, started at Constantine Bay in Padstow through to Mawgan Porth, Newquay, St Ives and the finish at Lands End.

duncan-hughes-at-the-finish-lands-end Duncan said “I finally completed the 3 marathons in 3 days challenge. Day 1 and Day 2 was relatively up and down which I completed in around 5 hours each day, but Day 3 was a different challenge entirely – that run involved a LOT more ups and downs, including practically climbing certain sections and took me 9 hours! Everything hurt.

I have been overwhelmed by support from friends, family and even people that I did not know on the days that I was running. I am so grateful for the messages of support as well as the money that has been raised to help fund much needed equipment for the North Devon District Hospital.

Nearly two years ago my dad, John Hughes, passed away after suffering a serious stroke and then having to battle against cancer. The doctors and nurses that cared for him at both the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit on the Elizabeth Ward in Bideford Hospital and the Chemotherapy Unit at the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple helped to make an extremely upsetting time a little more manageable, as much as it can be. I ran this challenge as a thank you to all the staff that helped my dad (and my mum) through the tougher times of his illness – it was greatly appreciated and never forgotten, and I ran it to keep the memory of my Dad’s kind, friendly and gentle nature alive.”

So far, Duncan has raised an incredible £1,782.50. This awesome challenge deserves support, and you can donate on https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Duncan-Hughes7

North Devon Rounders tournament is a big hit for local charities

Posted on October 10, 2016March 6, 2018

A charity rounders tournament hosted by North Devon Rounders has raised over £500 for local charities.

north-devon-rounders-cheque-presentation This is the third year the group has organised a charity rounders tournament at Barnstaple Rugby Club, with 125 players enjoying an afternoon of rounders in the sun to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) and the Seamoor Unit at North Devon District Hospital.

The ‘Ball Busters’ won the family tournament yet again, taking home the family tournament shield, sponsored by North Devon Flag. ‘It’s all about Pinny’ also retained their title as winners of the adult trophy, sponsored by Eyewear Creations Ltd.

The event was supported by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), Barnstaple Rugby Club, Nicole Morrish Photography, Tarka Tennis, County Renault, Mazda and Dacia, and Rounders England, with catering provided by Sugar and Ice and CHSW. A number of local businesses provided a selection of great raffle prizes, including the star prize of a £100 voucher kindly donated by Kirkham Tyres.

Georgina Crossman coordinated the event. She said: “We were really pleased with the success of this year’s tournament – it was a brilliant day and to raise £501 for two worthwhile local charities is the icing on the cake. It was lovely to welcome two teams from the Children’s Hospice at the tournament, they were great sports on the day and we’re hoping they will return to compete with us again next year.”

Emma Perry, Senior Fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West, said: “It was such a privilege to be chosen by the North Devon Ladies Rounders team as one of their charities for this wonderful fundraising event. All the funds raised will help us support families in the South West who have a child with a life-limiting illness using one of our hospices, like Little Bridge House in Fremington. Thank you to everyone involved as days like this truly help us make the most of short and precious lives.”

Over and Above Fundraiser, Julie Whitton said: “The hospital charity is absolutely delighted that the North Devon Rounders tournament was such a fantastic success again. The money raised will enable the charity to run another Look Good, Feel Better day for our patients, which includes beauty treatments, massage, make up tutorials and a support group. These sessions make a real difference to the lives of our patients, and help them feel much more assured and relaxed when their confidence and self-esteem has been raised. Thank you North Devon Rounders.”

Get in touch with North Devon Rounders on their Facebook page for more information about the sport www.facebook.com/NorthDevonRounders.

Duncan takes on 3 marathons in 3 days

Posted on October 6, 2016March 6, 2018

School teacher Duncan Hughes is undertaking the mammoth challenge of running 3 marathons in 3 days.

The 78 mile journey starts this weekend along the South West Coast Path, starting at Constantine Bay in Padstow through to Mawgan Porth, Newquay, St Ives and the finish at Lands End.

Duncan said “Nearly two years ago my dad, John Hughes, passed away after suffering a serious stroke and then having to battle against cancer. The doctors and nurses that cared for him at both the stroke rehab unit (Elizabeth ward) in Bideford and the chemotherapy unit in Barnstaple helped to make an extremely upsetting time a little more manageable, as much as it can be. I am going to run 3 marathons in 3 days to help raise money for the people what helped my dad to keep the memory of his kind, friendly and gentle nature alive.”

So far, Duncan has raised an incredible £920. This awesome challenge deserves support, and you can donate on https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Duncan-Hughes7

The hospital charity Over and Above fundraising team do not feel fit enough to take on such a challenge but wanted to support Duncan in some way … so that will eat 3 Marathon bars (also known as Snickers) in 3 days! Admittedly, not quite the same challenge as a grueling run!

Fundraising team, Julie, Gemma & Ian showing their support

Exmoor charity walk is a hit with local ramblers

Posted on October 3, 2016March 6, 2018

Ivan’s fabulous 10 mile walk around Dunkery Beacon, Webbers Post and Cloutsham on Exmoor was acclaimed as an overwhelming success by local walkers from across Devon. The ramble was organised by renowned local Exmoor enthusiast Ivan Huxtable who arranged another panoramic route.

Over and Above Fundraising Assistant Gemma Steele took part in the walk and said “I had a fantastic day on the moors with my family – we enjoyed glorious sunshine, climbed Dunkery Beacon, lots of wildlife, and saw the most amazing views that stretched as far as Wales and Porlock. We then ate delicious fish and chips laid on by Whiddon Waggon Fish and Chips at the end of the route – a perfect end to a perfect day.”

Ivan Huxtable of Umberleigh has organised a large number of excellent events over the years and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds benefiting many charities across Devon.

Event organiser Ivan Huxtable with Over and Above volunteer, Barbara Rayner

The proceeds from the event will support both the hospital charity Over and Above towards purchasing new equipment that will benefit patients at North Devon District Hospital, and the North Devon Hospice.

are L-R Victoria Ward Staff Nurse Carina Figueira and KGV Staff Nurse Catrina Almeda

Entertainers in North Devon raise £1,140 for Fortescue Ward “Memory Zone”

Posted on September 6, 2016March 6, 2018

This year, “Cloud 9”, “Bradazzle” and “Peculiar Folk”, with various singing and musician friends, concentrated on helping our dementia patients, following their fund-raising success last year for the Seamoor Unit in their “£1,000 Challenge”.

The entertainers from various villages across north Devon ran two evening concerts, an afternoon show, pub singalongs, a cake sale and raffles to raise funds for Fortescue Ward to open a special memory and relaxation area. This will give patients the opportunity to sit, chat, learn and explore in a specially designed cafe-style environment, offering things to do and decoration to bring ‘the outside in’. It will help patients combat confusion and make them feel at home during their stay with us.

Some of the participants visited us on 22nd August and presented their cheque for £1,140. They included Sheila Wright (admin), Shirleyann Andrews (musician and recitalist), Roger Andrews (singer), Linda Atherton (singer and recitalist) and Philip Price (accompanist). They were pleased to be shown around the ward and the area where the Memory Zone will be established, and will be back again next year.