ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE CHURCH TOWER?

charlotte BrownJOIN our Over and Above hospital charity abseil event down the tower of St Augustine Parish Church at Heanton Punchardon near Barnstaple to raise money for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH).

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “This is one of the best abseils in North Devon and a must for anyone who wants to try a new challenge.  The 90ft tower dominates the skyline overlooking the Taw and Torridge Estuary, and from the top there are stunning views which we believe is the probably the best abseil view in the Devon.

We would also like to encourage any corporate teams to take part as this will be a great team building exercise and a lot of fun.”

This thrilling and truly memorable 90ft abseil takes place on Saturday 22 October 2016.

The abseil has grown into a regular popular event on the Hospital Charity’s event calendar.  There are only 30 places available, and places are filling up fast, so book early to avoid disappointment.  This truly is an experience you will never forget.

Ruth Siewruk said “Last year I took part in the hospital abseil and it was a memorable Oct 15 11experience and in aid of SCBU, which is a great cause.  I would recommend it to anyone who wants to take part in awesome event”.

Participants need not worry if they have never done it before because full training will be given by the instructors from Skern Adventure Centre on the day.

Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £100 for the Appeal but of course participants can raise a lot more if they wish.  All the money you raise will help us purchase much needed equipment that is over and above what the NHS can provide to support our sickest and most vulnerable babies treated on our Special Care Baby Unit, or you can raise funds for other areas within the Trust such as our children’s ward, coronary care, stroke unit – you choose.

Online entries are now open at Eventbrite.

Download a sponsor form here or set up a Just Giving page.

Watch a film of our abseil here.

There are also scrumptious cakes for visitors on the day provided by the ladies at Heanton Punchardon Church which are not to be missed.

For further information about the hospital charity “Over and Above” contact the Hospital Fundraising Team on 01271 311772 or ndht.charity@nhs.net or visit the website https://overandabove.org.uk.

 

Charity Day at Ilfracombe Aquarium raises over £1400

IA FOH Team, LR & Cakes 230416Ilfracombe Aquarium Charity Day held on Saturday 23rd April raised an fantastic £1402.20 which was split between Over and Above Special Care Baby Unit Appeal and the Marine Conservation Society.

The charity event included a free exhibit entry for a donation, a cake sale, tombola and raffle.

Local businesses were very generous with their prize donations and on the day ‘Team Aquarium’ pulled out all the stops to entertain the crowds.

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “The hospital charity are very grateful to Ilfracombe Aquarium for holding their family fundraising day and donating £701.10 to the SCBU Appeal.  The Appeal has now raised an amazing £120,000 towards its £250,000 target.

001Photograph L-R:  Martha Raybone, Chelsea Freeman, Bernadette Davis, Ste Corcoran, Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton and Ilfracombe Aquarium Director Lawrence Raybone.

Parkhouse Patchwork Group patch for the Stroke Unit

PARKHOUSE PATCHWORK GROUP has been busy making a beautiful Log Cabin Quilt to raffle at their exhibition in June.

Member Jo Hendy said “The charity was chosen by our Chairlady as her father had a stroke 18 months ago and was treated in the Acute Stroke Unit at North Devon District Hospital.   We were aware that they need an ECG machine and we decided to help.”

The quilt is on display at North Devon District Hospital in the main foyer on most Wednesday’s and the raffle tickets are available for purchase Monday to Friday on the Over and Above charity stall.

The Parkhouse Patchwork Group Exhibition will take place at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude from 2nd – 4th June, and will include a wide selection of patchwork and quilted items to view as well as a sales table, raffles, tombolas, demonstrations and refreshments.

The patchwork group based in Bude has over 60 members which meet every fortnight between September and June.

 Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Parkhouse Patchwork Group have put an amazing amount of work into their Log Cabin quilt. Without doubt, it must have taken hours to work up and design.  We are absolutely delighted the ladies have chosen to support our Stroke Unit with the raffle.”

If you would like to give your support to the hospital charity Over and Above or if you 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.

chairty quiltPhotographs L-R:   Back Row:    Maria Berkley, Carole Sparham, Jean Coumbe, Liz Blair, Joan Gleinsinger, Joan Lashbrook

Front Row:  Ruth Pearce, Jen Bond, Jeanette Orr, Jo Hendy, Sue Bentley and Caroline Miller.

Barnstaple M&S raise £5k for Seamoor Unit

BARNSTAPLE Marks and Spencers staff have raised a magnificent £5,000 for the Seamoor Chemotherapy & Day Treatment Unit over the past year.

The money will be used towards an observation machine to support cancer patients being treated at the North Devon District Hospital.

Hospital charity “Over and Above” Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Marks and Spencers staff are amazing supporters to our hospital charity “Over and Above”.  Over the past few years, the Barnstaple store has raised almost £20,000 for the Seamoor Unit which was achieved through skydiving , bag packing, charity fun days and collecting tins on their tills.  Their fantastic achievement shows how a team working together can make such a difference to the lives of our patients.”

DSCN1989 - bestL-R:  Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton, Jody Morrell, Carol Manley, Barnstaple Store Manager Nina Hunter. Front: Michelle Johnson and Lorraine Scoines

Dance for SCBU

GET READY to strut your stuff on the dance floor, bust some moves and boogie the night away with the hospital’s Over and Above Charity 12 hour Dance-a-thon.

The event is being organised by Project Dance Devon who offer a wide range of dance classes across North and Mid Devon for all ages and abilities.

Project Dance director Karen Moss said “There will be a variety of dance styles throughout the day to keep you moving.  We will start with a warm up of party dances, tap, rumba, freestyle, quickstep, cheer dance, paso doble, musical theatre, line dancing, street dance, rock and roll and burlesque style – saucy not naughty!  This event will be fun, fun, fun and is open to everyone so bring your whole family.

“I am a senior nurse at the hospital but also a dance instructor for Project Dance.  We have had a fabulous time at the hospital raising funds for the chemotherapy unit by organising a Harlem Shake which got staff from across the hospital involved.  It was because we had so much fun with that I thought it would be a perfect time to organise an event which everyone can take part in to support our Special Care Baby Unit Appeal”.

The event kicks off at 8am until 8pm on Sunday 10th April at Lampard Community School Hall at St Johns Lane, Barnstaple.

To take part simply download the Danceathon entry form 2016 and Sponsorship form and return it with your £2.50 registration fee to the Fundraising Team at North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, EX31 3JB .  Alternatively contact the fundraising Department on 01271 311772 or ndht.charity@nhs.net for an entry form.   You may also want to set up a Just Giving page on https://www.justgiving.com/OverandAbove/ to help you with your fundraising.

 Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “We are delighted that Project Dance are supporting our Special Care Baby Unit in such a fun and energetic way.  Don’t worry if you have never done it before as a warm up and instructions will be given by Project Dance on the day.   If you feel you can’t do all 12 hours, don’t worry – just do what you can or take part as a team.  Participants are encouraged to bring pom-poms, tutu’s, cowboy hats.

Just get your dancing shoes (or trainers) on and we will see you there!”

DSCN1959 - bestPhotographs L-R:   North Devon District Hospital Physiotherapy Staff practicing their line dancing for the 12 hour charity dance-a-thon: Physiotherapist Lee Buckland, Administrator Catherine Holman, Staff Physiotherapist Jackie Jones

Katie’s 17 run challenge for SCBU

Eighteen year old Petroc student Katie Baker is training for 17 runs in aid of the special Care Baby Unit Appeal.

Katie Baker in training for 13 runs in 2016 - 21.1.16 006Former Pilton College student Katie took up running a few years ago and trains at her local weekly Park Run at Rock Park in Barnstaple, and she is looking forward to joining a local running club in the near future to help her with her training.

Katie chose to support the Special Care Baby Unit because her older sister Laura, who is now 22, was treated in our Barnstaple unit and in Bristol, and her grandad has also recently received treatment at North Devon District Hospital.

Katie said “I wanted to support a local charity and the Special Care Baby Unit and the staff at North Devon District Hospital has played an important part  in helping to support our family over the years.”

Braunton 10mileThe runs that Katie has booked so far include the Braunton 10 miler on 24 January, the 6 mile Castle Corker on 21 February, the Bideford half marathon on 6 March, the Bath half marathon on 13 March, the Cardiff World half marathon on 26 March, the Plymouth half marathon on 17 April, the Hartland Heatbreaker on 1 May, the Bideford 10k on 15 May, the Cardiff Women’s 10k on 29 May, the Exeter Race for Life 10k on 24 July , the Barnstaple full marathon on 25 September, the Exeter half marathon in October and the Bideford 10 mile in November.

Over and Above Hospital Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “I was exhausted just listening to Katie telling me the number of runs she is planning to take part in.  It is an amazing challenge but I am sure with her dedication and determination she will do it, and her fundraising will be a great help in helping us to get that much closer to our Special Care Baby Unit Appeal target.

The Special Care Baby Unit Appeal aims to raise £220,000 to purchase much needed equipment to support our sickest and most vulnerable new born babies with urgent medical needs.   So far, thanks to the amazing support from the people of North Devon the hospital charity has raised £72,000 towards its target.  To help us reach the target, please sponsor Katie on https://www.justgiving.com/Katie-Baker13

Katie’s runs

24 January Braunton 10 mile

21 February, Castle Corker, 6 miles

6 March Bideford half marathon

13 March Bath half marathon

26 March Cardiff world half marathon

17 April Plymouth half marathon,

1 May Hartland heart breaker

15 May Bideford 10k

29 May Cardiff women’s 10k

24 July Exeter Race for Life 10k

25 September Barnstaple full marathon

Oct 2016 Exeter half marathon

Nov Bideford 10 mile

Bideford 10kUPDATE: Katie has just completed the Bideford 10k (her 9th run in the challenge), smashing her 10k time by 7 minutes and finishing in 48 minutes – a massive well done to Katie!

Donate your unwanted Christmas gifts

Unwanted

Christmas gifts

are WANTED here!

giftsIf you have any unwanted gifts that you would like to donate to benefit your local hospital charity then please pop them into the fundraising office on level 2 at North Devon District Hospital. 

We can use these gifts as raffle prizes to fundraise for equipment and services that are over and above that provided by the NHS.

For further information please contact the fundraising team on 01271 311772 or email ndht.charity@nhs.net.

Colin bares all for SCBU

Before

Before

NORTH MOLTON FARMER COLIN CHUGG resisted pleas from family and friends to tidy up his unruly hair and beard until Buttery Shoot Head Gamekeeper Gareth Clarke and fellow farmer Jim Nancekivell suggested the Over and Above’s Special Care Baby Unit Appeal.

The big shave took place at Poltimore Inn at North Molton, and Debbie Tapp was in charge of his shearing!

Among the spectators at North Molton’s Poltimore Inn were Debbie’s 5 year old son Charlie who was treated in the unit, and Gareth Clarke’s 9 year old twins Codie and Jasmine who also spent 3 weeks on SCBU.   Gareth Clarke and Leah Jerrett raised more than £400 sponsorship for Colin as Leah and her twin brother Matthew were treated in SCBU some 24 years ago.

Many members of the community supported Colin including Polimore Inn, Bulled’s Village Shop and the local hunt and shoot.

After

After

Colin raised a magnificent £2,100 sponsorship before the big shave, and on the day he raised an additional £125 by allowing Debbie to remove his eyebrows.  Colin is planning more fundraising for SCBU next year – possibly a wing walk!

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “I hope someone has knitted Colin a hat to keep out the cold.  His fundraising is phenomenal.  If another 50 people could raise the same amount as Colin before Christmas we could reach our target to provide all the new equipment our Special Care Baby Unit needs to support our sickest and most vulnerable new born babies with urgent medical conditions – that would be the best Christmas present our Special Care Baby Unit could ever receive.”

IMG_2013Photograph: L-R : Debbie Tapp, Colin Chugg, Jane Dart, Gareth Clarke