LEADING GLOBAL HEALTHCARE SUPPLIER PERRIGO, with operations based in Wrafton near Braunton, has donated an amazing £17,800 to the Special Care Baby Unit Appeal at North Devon District Hospital.

The money donated by the Perrigo Charitable Foundation has been used towards the purchase of a Giraffe neonatal incubator.

Lead Ward Special Care Baby Unit Manager Liz Mills said “Our Special Care Baby Unit is delighted to receive a donation towards the Giraffe incubator from Perrigo. This state-of-the-art piece of equipment not only enables a premature baby to be incubated, but also includes a weigh-in facility and a phototherapy light to treat jaundice babies. It also means our nurses can now transport a premature baby easily from the delivery suite and A&E to other areas within the hospital without moving the baby onto another piece of equipment, enabling the newborn baby to be kept at a constant temperature and to be monitored at all times. We are thrilled to have an incubator which has so many facilities within it on our ward.”

Last year, the Special Care Baby Unit at North Devon District Hospital also received funding from Perrigo to purchase two hot cots and neonatal warming mattresses to keep babies who have been born prematurely, or with a low birth rate, at the correct temperature so that they do not become cold quickly.

Over 1,600 babies each year are born to mothers who are cared for by staff at North Devon District Hospital and by midwives working in the community. The Special Care Baby Unit currently treats approximately 250 babies a year (which equates to approximately 1 in 6 babies born at North Devon District Hospital each year). Because North Devon is geographically isolated, it is vital for the survival of our sickest babies that the Special Care Baby Unit offers the very best care that it can.

Perrigo HR Manager Rob McElfatrick visited the Special Care Baby Unit with Perrigo Employee Council Representative Mica Sanders and Perrigo Charitable Foundation Representative Anna Humes. Rob said “I have experienced at first-hand how important a Special Care Baby Unit is to the care of a newborn child. My son was treated in a SCBU Unit for many weeks and it is because of the wonderful care he received that he is now leading a healthy life. We are delighted that our Braunton employees chose to support this very worthwhile cause that contributes to Perrigo UK’s mission in making a difference to health.”

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “We are absolutely delighted to receive such a generous donation from Perrigo. The donation is already benefitting our most vulnerable and poorly babies. Perrigo has been very generous to the Hospital Charity, raising an amazing £41,608.23 over the past five years supporting our Special Care Baby Unit and the building of the Seamoor Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit.”

Photographs L-R:

Photo 1 with incubator: Perrigo Charitable Foundation Representative Anna Humes, Perrigo Employee Council Representative Mica Sanders, Perrigo HR Manager Rob McElfatrick, Over and Above Fundraising Manager Ian Roome and Lead SCBU Manager Liz Mills.

ALL Tesco’s stores across North Devon have come on board to support the North Devon District Hospital’s Cancer and Wellbeing Appeal.

North Devon Tesco Cluster Manager and Barnstaple Tesco Superstore Rose Lane Manager Dan Fowler is a committed hospital ambassador and he has encouraged all the stores across North Devon to get behind the Appeal and support the hospital charity.

Dan said “Tesco are delighted to be supporting the Appeal and the fantastic and crucial work undertaken by our local hospital.  We know that many of our colleagues and customers have come into contact with a service, support or care that’s provided by them.  We know that by linking up with the hospital charity Over and Above we can help them enhance the support and care offered to local patients suffering from cancer and chronic illness and their families.”

Already, within six months the Appeal has raised an amazing £467,405 through donations and pledges, thanks to the overwhelming support of the local community.  And now EVERY Tesco Store in North Devon – Barnstaple Rose Lane, Station Road, Express, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Bideford and Westward Ho! now has the “Over and Above” Cancer Appeal collection pots on their tills and their staff are actively choosing lots of in-store events to support the cause.

In the Autumn, Tesco donated £6,500 to the Appeal and the stores have also donated hampers to the charity’s raffles, which over the past five years has raised over £56,000.

This year Tesco has donated five luxury hampers for the charity’s Easter hamper.   Each of the luxury summer hampers were donated and individually wrapped by each of the stores at Tesco Superstore, Tesco Taw View Extra, Tesco Bideford Superstore, Tesco Braunton Superstore and Ilfracombe Superstore, and are filled with chocolate Easter egg goodies.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Tescos has fully embraced this appeal and have gone the extra mile to support our patients with cancer and chronic illnesses.  The store managers have visited the hospital and seen at first-hand how the lives of our patients will be improved with the new centre.  Working at the hospital, I regularly see patients who have received news and need a place to mentally absorb what they have been told or to unwind – this new centre will be a place of sanctuary where our patients can go and talk to a friendly person with a listening ear.  Our patients have been asking for this centre for a very long time, and we are looking forward to its opening next year.  We would welcome support from bucket collecting volunteers and would love to hear from anyone who would like to help.

The Tesco Easter raffle tickets are now on sale and can be purchased for £1 in the Tesco stores and on weekdays from the Hospital Fundraising Team’s volunteers in the North Devon District Hospital foyer.

Photographs:

 1          Tesco Taw View Extra store with raffle and plans – L-R

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton, Tesco Taw View Extra Manager Paddy Williams,  Braunton Store Manager Natalie Levitt, Ilfracombe Store Manager Peter Hawes, Barnstaple Rose Lane Manager Dan Fowler, Bideford Community Champion Debbie Grundy and Taw View Extra Community Champion Sharon Hodgson

 2          Tesco Rose Lane with pots and plans – L-R

Barnstaple Rose Lane Manager Dan Fowler, Tesco Taw View Extra Manager Paddy Williams, Bideford Community Champion Debbie Grundy Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton

3          Tesco Rose Lane with hampers – L-R

Over and Above Fundraiser, Julie Whitton, Taw View Extra Services Manager Paddy Williams, Barnstaple Rose Lane Manager Dan Fowler, and Bideford Community Champion Debbie Grundy

NORTH DEVON DISTRICT HOSPITAL CHEMOTHERAPY NURSES who care for patients with cancer are taking up the challenge to run the Weston Superhalf Marathon for the new Cancer and Wellbeing Centre Appeal.

Senior Chemotherapy Staff Nurse Wayne Morris said “We see at first-hand how much our patients would benefit from the new Cancer and Wellbeing Centre.  It will make such a difference to their lives in helping some of patients live with their cancer and helping them to get on with their lives.  This run is going to be hard for all of us.  I’ve started to train, and I ache all over, even my elbows ache, but I and the team are determined to push our boundaries to get the new Cancer Support Centre built.”

The Weston Superhalf takes place on Sunday 18^th March and sets off from Marine Parade at the entrance to The Grand Pier. It will take in the sites of Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding Somerset villages and countryside in a single lap finishing a quarter of a mile out to sea on Weston’s Grand Pier.

The funds raised from this event will be used to support the hospital charity’s new appeal.   Over and Above is aiming to raise £1.5million to build a Cancer and Wellbeing Centre at North Devon District Hospital.  The centre will be a dedicated space available to anyone affected by cancer and other illnesses at any stage of their illness, offering a wide range of information and support services, all within a comfortable and welcoming environment.  The centre will also include a relatives’ accommodation wing for family and other loved ones of in-patients who are receiving treatment at North Devon District Hospital.

If you would like to help support our nurses, you can do so by visiting their Justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/seamoorrunmore

CANCER PATIENT Gail Stoneman has been named Golden Girl by the Over and Above Fundraising Team.  Since her fundraising began in August 2017, she has raised over £9,000 and in January she brought in a cheque for a further £2,000 bringing her current total to £11,115 for the new Cancer and Wellbeing Support Centre Appeal. Gail receives treatment in the Seamoor Chemotherapy Unit at North Devon District Hospital, and strongly feels the hospital need a support centre for its patients. Gail said “I need a support centre which I can access locally.  I have been receiving treatment for many  years and knowing there is a somewhere where I can drop in and talk to someone at any time would be a dream come true.   I know how well the Force Centre in Exeter works and the excellent level of care they offer – it means a lot to the patients and a centre in Barnstaple is desperately needed.”

Since August 2017 Gail has taken on seven fundraising challenges to mark her seven years of receiving chemotherapy.  Her friend Tim Garrett ran the Bristol Half Marathon in September raising £545, her work colleague Maria Smith’s organised a cake sale at Brends Hotel Head Office where she works raising £150.  Gail then organised an auction in Chulmleigh where she lives and raised a phenomenal £7,033.46, she received a donation of £2,000 and additional money is still coming in.

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Gail’s determination on raising the funds for our new unit is inspirational.  She has a knack of getting people on board and raising funds.  Gail is determined to see the new support centre built and so are we.  Travelling 55 miles to Exeter when you are feeling very unwell is a long way to travel for access to a drop in session.  We need to get this unit built so that our cancer patients like Gail receive their support on their doorstep just the same as patients receiving treatments at other acute hospitals providing cancer services.  It is important that our patients in North Devon receive the same level of care as everyone else in the South West.   And with a relatives accommodation wing attached to the centre, it will mean many of our patients will receive visitors that they may not otherwise see because their friends and family live too far away to make regular visits.   This centre is important to us and we are determined to make it happen.”

The new appeal will provide support for patients and their families with cancer and other illnesses.  The Cancer and Wellbeing centre will be a dedicated space offering a wide range of support services and information, all within a comfortable and welcoming environment.

The services will include drop in sessions, counselling, financial and benefits advice, hair loss support including wig fitting, nutritional advice, wellbeing courses, support groups, complementary therapies and much more.  In addition a relatives accommodation wing will be built within the centre for relatives to stay overnight when they need to stay nearby when their loved ones are in hospital.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “The Appeal has now reached around a third of its anticipated build cost.  The architect David Wilson Partnership has been appointed and the next step is going to tender for the contract.  It is a very exciting time for us and our patients.  The hospital charity “Over and Above” would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to raise funds for the new Appeal – it could be a coffee morning, a sponsored headshave, an extreme sport, an auction – every penny raised will help the new unit to become a reality.  A fundraising pack with lots of ideas is available on the charity website or can be sent in the post.

Gail’s mum is trying to convince Gail to organise a Ferret Race as her next fundraiser, so watch this space for details.

To find out more about the Over and Above charity and the new Appeal, visit www.overandabove.org.uk, the charity’s Facebook page or contact the fundraising team on 01271 311772 or email ndht.charity@nhs.net.

Photograph:  L-R Gail Stoneman and Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton

THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the North Devon Cancer and Wellbeing Centre Appeal and our Christmas Wishing upon a Star, Christmas raffles and Christmas Jumper Day.  So far we have raised an amazing £310,000 – we are now on our way to reaching our £1.5m target.

Carole Manley recently retired from the Marks and Spencer’s store in Barnstaple after an amazing 16 years service.  Instead of a retirement gift she asked her colleagues if they would instead donate £1 to her retirement gift, which she would donate to the North Devon Cancer and Wellbeing Centre Appeal.  The response was fantastic and they raised £205.  With an added £95 donation, Carole donated a phenomenal £300 to the hospital charity, “Over and Above”.

Carole said “The staff at Marks and Spencer are very special to me.  I am overwhelmed with their kind donation to me.  I had a wonderful retirement party at the end of November and last week I enjoyed a night out with the M&S girls.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said Carole and the M&S team were phenomenal fundraisers, and had raised over £20,000 towards the building of the Seamoor Unit Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit which opened three years ago.  We cannot thank Carole enough for supporting our new Cancer and Wellbeing Centre Appeal, which will be built as soon as we raise the £1.5 million needed to make it a reality.

L-R Carole Manley with the Seamoor Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Centre staff – Ward Clerk Holly Conway, Health Care Assistant Melanie Burrows, Staff Nurse Andrea Maier, Carole Manley, Margaret Smale and Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton

L-R : M&S store staff– Jai Moore, Store Manager Stephen Deacon, Sarah Edwards, Carole Manley, Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton

Project Linus Co-ordinator Jane Kite from Parkham visited the Caroline Thorpe children’s Ward and the Special Care Baby  Unit at North Devon District Hospital with 55 home sewn quilts.  Once a month a group of around 20 ladies from Parkham, Parkham Ash and Woolsery meet up and spend a day making quilts.  Jane said “We all enjoy quilting, and having a day to ourselves every month is great.  It also gives an opportunity to get together for a coffee and a chat.”

Children Play Specialist Fran Greenaway said “We are absolutely delighted to receive these wonderful quilts, and I know that every child will be delighted to receive one on the ward over the festive season.”

Over and Above fundraiser Julie Whitton said “The quilts are beautiful, and it was lovely to see two children accept their quilts on the day Jane brought them onto the ward.  Their faces lit up, and it made their day a little bit better.   The Project Linus group have now made 75 quilts for the children on our wards this year, and we can’t thank Jane and the Project Linus Group enough – they are amazing.”

Photograph L-R :  Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton, Caroline Thorpe Ward Play Specialist Fran Greenaway, North Devon Project Linus Co-ordinator Jane Kite, SCBU Senior Nurse Alicia Rogers and kneeling at the front Paediatric Health Care Assistant Gemma Ashton

TESCO DONATE CHRISTMAS TOYS FOR CHILDREN’S WARD AND HAMPERS FOR CANCER APPEAL

CHRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY FOR NORTH DEVON DISTRICT HOSPITAL when Tesco staff visited the hospital on Friday with gifts galore.

On Friday morning Tesco Store staff from Barnstaple Taw View Extra store delivered three sacks of Christmas toys to the children’s Caroline Thorpe Ward.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “We are absolutely delighted to receive these toys for the children who will be spending Christmas in hospital. No one wants to be in hospital at Christmas time and this act of kindness will bring lots of special smiles on the day and make their day feel much better.

”Tesco’s stores across North Devon have also once again donated five Christmas Hampers to the hospital charity – this year they have donated them for the Cancer and Wellbeing Appeal Christmas raffle.

Tesco Taw View Extra and Tesco Rose Lane Superstore in Barnstaple, Tesco Bideford Superstore, Tesco Braunton Superstore and Ilfracombe Superstore have all taken part.

Every year Rose Lane Tesco Manager Dan Fowler encourages all the stores across North Devon to support the hospital charity, and every year each store excels by donating a fantastic hamper which they wrap and tinsel.

This year the luxury hampers include two children’s toy hampers stacked full of toys – one for a boy and one for a girl, a luxury gift hamper, sweet hamper and an alcohol packed hamper full of every drink you can think of to celebrate the festive season.

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “The Tesco stores in North Devon are wonderful.  They have been extremely supportive to Over and Above charity.  With Tesco’s generous donations and prizes, Over and Above has raised almost £53,000, which has supported the new Seamoor Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit, our Special Care Baby Unit and our new Cancer and Wellbeing Appeal.  As their saying goes “Every little helps”, and for the hospital charity North Devon Tesco stores really are making a difference.

Tesco Christmas 2017 raffle tickets can be purchased for £1 on weekdays from the Over and Above’s hospital fundraising team volunteers in the North Devon District Hospital foyer, and at Barnstaple’s late night shopping evenings outside Costa in the High Street on Thursday 14 and 21^st December.

If you would like to give your support to the hospital charity Over and Above, or want to find out more please visit www.overandabove.org.uk, the charity’s facebook page or contact the Over and Above Fundraising Team on 01271 311772 /  email ndht.charity@nhs.net

Photographs:

Christmas 2017 Raffle L-R:

Tesco Braunton Superstore Natalie Levitt, Tesco Rose Lane Superstore in Barnstaple – Dan Fowler, Ilfracombe Superstore – Peter Hawes, Tesco Taw View Extra – Paddy Williams, Over and Above Fundraising Manager Ian Roome, Kneeling on floor:  Over and Above Fundraising Fundraiser Julie Whitton

Donation of toys on Caroline Thorpe Ward L-R

Over and Above fundraiser Julie Whitton, Tesco Taw view Extra staff Matt Harding, Ward Clerk Gemma Ashton, Staff Nurse Jessica Appleby, Play Specialist Fran Greenaway, Staff Nurse Jan Williams, Staff Nurse Claire Tanner, Staff Nurse Tina Mook, Tesco Taw view Extra staff member Nick Muge