Four luxury hampers packed full with chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, teddies and many other chocolate treats have been donated to the hospital charity Over and Above.

Tesco Barnstaple Rose Lane Store Manager Dan Fowler and Community Champion Pamela Murch, together with Braunton Store Manager Phil Langdon and Ilfracombe Store manager Paddy Williams visited the hospital this week with armfuls of chocolate goodies to raise funds for our cancer services.

At the visit, the hospital charity took the opportunity to award Tesco Rose Lane Manager Dan Fowler as ambassador to the charity. Fundraising Manager Ian Roome said “Dan deserves this award – he continually supports our hospital charity “over and above” and is an inspiration to us. He continually helps us with our raffles and events, and is so enthusiastic in helping us to make it happen.

Tesco Rose Lane Manager Dan Fowler said “It is an honour to receive the Over and Above Ambassador Award – everyone was been very good at keeping quiet about it – it was a complete surprise! Our Tesco staff are extremely supportive of the hospital charity and every Tesco store in North Devon gets on board and contributes to the raffles and the activities we support them with. There is always an internal battle to see who can produce the best hamper, but what is most important is that by supporting the hospital charity we raise lots of money to help patients treated at our local hospital in Barnstaple. Last year the Easter raffle alone raised almost £2,000 and we are hoping to exceed that this year.”

Over and Above fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Personally I can’t think of a better way for Tescos to raise funds for our hospital charity as I am a total chocoholic – seeing these lovely chocolate hampers every day is testing my chocolate will-power to the limit!”

The raffle tickets are being sold by Over and Above’s hospital volunteers in the main foyer at North Devon District Hospital. The hampers will be raffled on Tuesday 11th April so there is still time to purchase a ticket.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton, Grace Bucknell, mum Ruth Bucknell and 6 year old Harriet Bucknell – Ruth has given permission for photos to be used of children

Eight year old Grace Bucknell took a brave decision and had 14” cut off her hair by Headlines hairdresser, Sarah Francis in Fremington to raise a fantastic £670 for the Special Care Baby Unit at North Devon District Hospital. Grace’s mum, Ruth, said “Grace was watching a tv advert last year 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. She then asked family and friends at school and at her grandparent’s 40th wedding anniversary party to sponsor her hair cut”. Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Grace’s new hair cut looks fabulous and she is very happy with her new style. Since having her hair cut in October Grace has raised a fantastic £670 to support our most vulnerable babies treated in SCBU.” Grace is the Great Niece of the late Alan Bulled whose family have been very supportive to the hospital charity. Together with Grace’s fundraising, the family have now raised a phenomenal £12,761 for the North Devon District Hospital. Grace’s six year old sister Harriet has now decided to join the family tradition by taking part in a sponsored bike ride.

Sarah Francis and Grace Bucknell after hair cut

Bubbly and determined Day Surgery Staff Nurse Caroline Reed is taking on the challenge of the London Marathon to raise support for the place where she works.

Caroline is excited and can’t wait for the day to come.  She said “I am a Staff Nurse in the Day Surgery Unit. Last year I ran the London marathon.  It was really hard work but such an amazing achievement.  This year I have decided to support Over and Above – our hospital charity as I know first-hand how much my fundraising will help the hospital.

I want to make the Day Surgery Unit friendlier to our younger patients by having a mural painted on one of the bay walls and to raise enough funds to also purchase DVD players and up to date DVDs for the children to watch during their stay – things like this can make a huge difference to their experience within the hospital.

Day Surgery Sister Jo Ward, Ward Clerk Leanne Goss, Deputy Ward Manager Catherine Dewberry, Staff Nurse Kirsty Sandback, Theatre Manager Mary Gooch – Front – lying on the bed: Staff Nurse Caroline Reed

This year I have a training buddy – my 12 year old son Christopher.  He has been joining me on my cycle rides and if his fitness keeps improving he is hoping to be my support crew and cycle with me on my 22 mile training run.  Ever since I ran the marathon last year, he has become interested in fitness which is an amazing thing.

When I’m not at the hospital working I also help on my husband’s dairy farm and spend time riding my horse.  Yes I’m a bit mad but I think that really does help.  So please give whatever you can – every penny truly does help and it will continue to inspire my son.”

Caroline will run a phenomenal 26.2 miles on the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 23^rd April, and is looking forward to the challenge.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Coming into hospital to have surgery can feel daunting, and it is great that Caroline is determined to spread a little sunshine on the Day Surgery Unit so that our younger patients feel more relaxed and happy when they come into hospital.  Caroline is bubbly, fun and her enthusiasm shines.  She is passionate about the Day Surgery Unit, and with your support her dream to improve the Day Surgery Unit will become a reality.”

To support Caroline, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/carolinereed2 or contact the Over and Above Fundraising Team.

If you would like to give your support to one of the hospital departments, or if you want to find out more, please visit the hospital charity website; www.overandabove.org.uk, the charity’s Facebook page or contact the North Devon District Hospital Fundraising Team on 01271 311772 or email ndht.charity@nhs.net

As a former Marathon and Ultra Marathon runner, Glyn Seal was a fairly fit 60 year old until he was struck down in September 2014 with Streptococcal pneumonia on both lungs. He was in hospital for exactly 4 months – 11 weeks in Intensive Care Units.

Glyn said “But for the miracles performed by the staff of North Devon Hospital and the Royal Brompton Hospital ICUs I would have died.

With their help, and with the help of a legion of physiotherapists, friends, employers, wife and family I have regained a near normal life.  I can “run” again, although an athletic snail could run me close.

When somebody saves your life it is a debt that is impossible to repay.  Nevertheless I intend to repay something on account by raising funds for the two ICUs by running the Greater Manchester Marathon.”

The Asics Greater Manchester Marathon is on 2 April, at Emirates Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire Cricket Club.

Glyn said “The choice of Manchester as the venue is significant:-

1. The course is flat and has a very long cut off time – something that is essential with my now knackered lungs.

2. I was a student in Manchester 40 odd years ago.

3. The 2nd April 2017 will be the 38th anniversary of my being admitted as a solicitor.

4. It is exactly 10 years and 1 day since I last came out of retirement and ran my last Marathon!”

The monies received by the two ICUs will be used to provide equipment for patients and their families at a time of crisis.

All wired up at North Devon hospital ICU. Things got far more sci-fi when I got to the Royal Brompton!

Over and Above Hospital Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Glyn has made a remarkable recovery thanks to his pure determination and energy, together with the treatment and care he received from the staff at North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Brompton.  We are very fortunate to have excellent staff at our hospital providing the very best care.  We will use the money raised by Glyn to help support other patients being cared for in our Intensive Care Unit.”

You can support Glyn by logging onto his donor page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GlynSeal

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