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 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.

Chemo Cruise raises thousands for cancer

Posted on August 10, 2016March 6, 2018

Anthony Grills 3rd Chemo Cruise was a phenomenal success and raised £3,000 for cancer services in Devon. The money is being donated to ELF and the Seamoor Unit at North Devon District Hospital.

Fundraiser Julie with Anthony & Sally Grills

The Oldenberg sailed with a full ship of people from Bideford Quay to Bideford Bay on Friday 5^th August. Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “I went on the cruise which was absolutely amazing. Anthony is a long term supporter of the chemo unit and has received treatment there himself. His Chemo Cruises are now famous and every year he sells out. We had a fabulous time, and we are all looking forward to the next one. Sunset

Staff from the Chemotherapy Unit enjoying the cruise

Beach Buddies Big Purple Day raises money for SCBU

Posted on August 5, 2016March 6, 2018

Beach Buddies Childcare raised a fantastic £70.42 for the hospital charity Over and Above as part of their Purple Day activities in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit Appeal.

Nursery Co-Manager Janet Appleby said “The staff and parents wanted to take part as we know that every penny raised will help local babies being treated in the baby unit at North Devon District Hospital. We sold sold cakes, iced biscuits and birthday packs. We dressed in purple and had lots of fun all day with the children.

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The children are pictured with Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton and Beach Buddies Childcare staff – L-R Early years Practitioner Gemma Bates, Early Years Teacher Candida Salmon and Nursery Co-Manager Janet Appleby.

Twins 1st birthday party raises money for SCBU

Posted on August 5, 2016March 6, 2018

The owner of The Riverside Restaurant in Braunton, Dave Charlesworth and his partner Sara organised a birthday party for their one year old twin daughters Daisy Lou and Evie. Instead of receiving gifts, guests were asked to donate money towards the Special Care Baby Unit Appeal.

Dave said “Evie and Daisy were born on 28 May 2015 and spent 3 weeks in North Devon District Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit, and we wanted to celebrate their first year by supporting other babies that need care too.”

The party raised a fantastic £380.96 which will be put towards the purchase of a new ventilator to help newborn babies who have difficulty breathing.

Photographed: Sara with Daisy Lou and Dave Charlesworth with Evie and Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton