Newsletter Issue 12, Autumn 2016

Reach Join us for Christmas in Lapland

Supporting the Bristol Heart Institute

Children’s anthology featuring Jacqueline Wilson on sale

Above & Beyond is the local charity fundraising for Bristol’s city centre hospitals

Welcome to Reach, the newsletter from hospital’s charity Above & Beyond Above & Beyond is on target to celebrate the success of the Golden Gift Appeal by the end of the year. The appeal was launched in 2013 to support the redevelopment of the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre to help provide worldclass equipment, comfortable welcoming environments and purpose built facilities. We have been deeply touched by the support and donations from the public, charitable trusts, corporate partners, our volunteers and dedicated Appeal Board. Thank you all very much. More thanks go to those who have recently generously donated towards a new microwave ablation machine and have so far raised over £12,000. This is a minimally invasive curative therapy – so no surgery and no long stay in hospital. We still need £13,000 and if you’d like to help us reach our target or find out more please visit our website. What next? The need for our work and your support goes on. We will be focusing particularly on the needs of our cardiac patients over the coming months (see page 4), and helping our staff provide the best possible care and support to our patients. Thanks again for your continued support. Sarah Talbot-Williams Chief Executive Children’s anthology, Don’t be Scared is on sale now. Read more on page 6.

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Saying ‘Thank You’ to Bristol’s hospitals

Thank you for your golden gifts

At the start of 2016 I was admitted to the Bristol Royal Infirmary on three occasions – two as emergencies – and each time I was struck by the excellent care I received. It’s easy to take something like this for granted, but I wanted to find a way to say thank you.

You’ve made a lasting difference

I approached Above & Beyond to understand where my support could have the greatest impact and we worked together on identifying two projects that could really improve the hospital experience for both patients and staff. Firstly, a syringe docking station for the Intensive Care Unit. This enables the administration of multiple medications and automatic recordings for patient notes. Not only does this save valuable staff time, but it also provides even greater accuracy.

Our three year £6m Golden Gift Appeal is nearly at an end and we want to thank everyone who donated or offered time to help complete the appeal to transform the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre (BHOC).

The second project is a partial refurbishment of the Accident & Emergency Department, including the introduction of a state of the art information system which lets patients know where they are in the queue, avoiding confusion, and sometimes even aggressive behaviour towards staff.

Here’s just a small selection of the projects you have helped make happen: H The first dedicated adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the BHOC so that seriously ill patients can have all their treatment under one roof, and not have to visit multiple hospitals H More single rooms providing greater privacy and dignity for patients H Isolation rooms at the BHOC to help improve recovery for immune-compromised patients H BHOC patient lounge equipped with a TV, sofas and photography

It’s a great feeling knowing something you’ve done will go towards helping people’s hospital experience, and improving the systems nurses have for treating patients. When you’ve had a similar experience, you know how much even small things like this really matter. Ian Johnson Hospital Supporter

H Mobile scanning and x-ray machines to enable a speedier diagnosis 24/7 H Innovative, world class monitoring system in the BRI Intensive Care Unit enabling data to be updated instantly, driving better care and treatment H Inspiring artwork in the older people’s assessment unit H A sanctuary space for people of all faiths and none (to be completed) Read the full list on our website www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk

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Supporting

Having been a patient in the Oncology Unit in 1987 and 1996, Ann made a promise to herself that when she retired she would volunteer for Above & Beyond to help support the staff who had given her such fantastic care.

one of the South West’s leading cardiac hospitals

1,500+

inpatients per year

“I have had such fun over the past two years getting involved with events such as the Balloon Fiesta and helping with Open Doors Day and showing people around the BHOC, baking and selling cakes, bucket collecting and cheering on runners.

10,000+

outpatients per year The Bristol Heart Institute (BHI) is the largest heart centre with an associated A&E and the third largest in the UK, covering 10% of the UK population. It has some of the most experienced and skilled cardiologists, surgeons, specialist nurses and researchers in the UK.

means to do. When you give to the BHI, your money really does stay local. “Experiencing a critical illness at such a young age was a massive shock to my system. I owe my successful recovery and rehabilitation to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit who, with limited resources, helped me rehabilitate both physically and mentally”.

Over the coming months you’ll notice inspirational stories about people who This September Simon will be have been treated at the BHI, In September 2013 Simon running the Great Bristol Half fundraising campaigns for had a heart attack at just 40 Marathon raising funds for vital equipment, staff training years old and was treated at Above & Beyond and the BHI. and research projects that the BHI Good luck, Simon! are transforming patient care and experience across the South West If you’d like to donate to the BHI today and beyond. please visit www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk Together we can help develop the BHI of the future, going further than the NHS has the

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Finding inspiration

or call us on 0117 927 7120.

During this time I have also had treatment in the Haematology Unit for an auto-immune problem and have found myself reaping the benefit of the improvements that Above & Beyond have funded. Everything I do for Above & Beyond is always appreciated, it doesn’t matter how little or how much you do. There are such a variety of

Former patient turned volunteer volunteering roles so it’s easy to choose what suits you. At some stage the vast majority of us or a member of our family will need the facilities of the Bristol Hospitals, so by volunteering to raise funds for those all important things really is very worthwhile and rewarding”.

Please contact Rosie for more information on becoming a volunteer on 0117 927 7120 or [email protected]

60 events for 60 years In 2013 Terry was diagnosed with cancer and received treatment at the BHOC. He wanted to thank the BHOC staff who cared for him so well, so to celebrate his milestone of turning 60 in August Terry set about taking on 60 sponsored events to raise money for the BHOC. He’s done 5km park runs, completed the Westonbirt Triathlon, flown a plane and even walked the yard arm on the ss Great Britain! The 60 events will culminate in December with the Weston Christmas Cracker, an annual 10km race in the seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare.

His wife Jayne also took part in one of the races. “She thinks I’m mad but she is supporting me 100%!” said Terry, “we want to give back to those that gave to us when we needed it”. Thank you Terry and Jayne. If you’d like to support the BHOC today please visit www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk or call us on 0117 927 7120.

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Hot off the press! Children’s anthology is launched to raise money for the children’s hospital Above & Beyond’s brand new children’s anthology Don’t be Scared featuring Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Geraldine McCaughrean, Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, Roald Dahl, Raymond Briggs, Tony Ross, Quentin Blake and many more has hit the shelves.

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Sales of the book will raise funds for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, which has 4,000 admissions each year. The hospital is crucial not only to those living in and around Bristol but also to children across the region as it is the major paediatric trauma centre for the South West. We’re delighted that this imaginative and captivating book will help care for our poorliest children. With thunder claps and walking chalk, dark nights, dare-devil sheep and huffy cats, in Don’t Be Scared our best-loved writers and illustrators articulate the magic and fears of childhood in a collection of short stories and poems for children (and grown-ups) to enjoy. Some are fables, some adventures, some are wickedly funny; all of them fizz with imagination and a child’s sense of wonder.

Limited print run – buy your copy today! Don’t be Scared can be purchased at the Above & Beyond Fundraising Hub in the BRI welcome centre, open Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm, located in-between WHSmith and M&S or online via www.redcliffepress.co.uk/products-page.

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Thank you for going Above & Beyond

This is successful children’s illustrator Frances Cony who left an incredible gift of over £11,600 in her will to Bristol hospitals. As a former BHOC patient her generosity will help so many patients in the future. Thank you Frances.

When Tom (right) was just five years old, he had to undergo major surgery to have a life-threatening brain tumour the size of an egg removed. Now 16 years old, he is on a mission to raise £5,000 through various events in support of Bristol children’s hospital as a thank you.

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“By far the hardest thing we have ever done. So proud of us both, we gave it everything we had”. Raeanne Manning and Aimee Louise Gardiner took on the 3 Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the Golden Gift Appeal to say thank you for care given to family and friends.

Thank you to the Ukeaholics who have raised a wonderful £1,000 by donating performance fees from various festivals and gigs throughout the past year. Music to our ears!

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Our corporate partners the Bristol Lido raised over £7,700 at their Family Street Party in June which was enjoyed by over 2,000 people. Their aim is to raise a staggering £20,000 for a new sensory bathroom in the Neuroscience Ward at Bristol children’s hospital.

Members of staff at the two Bristol branches of Coventry Building Society recently donned their aprons and baked for Bristol’s hospitals to celebrate their new corporate partnership with Above & Beyond. Their next fundraising activity is a zip wire challenge!

A team of 11 staff from Natwest branches across Bristol recently took to the skies jumping 10,000ft out of a plane! Natwest is aiming to raise £15,000 this year for a new state-of-the-art incubator for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital.

We had our first Above & Beyond lottery winner last month. So join today and start playing and see if you could win that £25,000 jackpot! 50p from every £1 played comes back to Bristol hospitals. www.unitylottery.co.uk

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Charity of the Year

Talk about us. Nominate us. Vote for us! At this time of year many businesses, schools, clubs and groups start to plan their charity involvement for 2017. Here at Above & Beyond we wanted to make it nice and easy for you to share information

about Bristol city centre hospital’s charity so you can convince your manager, colleagues, group and friends to choose Above & Beyond as your Charity of the Year!

Meet one of our wonderful partners Keynsham-based building contractors, Dribuild named us as their Charity of the Year and have been busy hosting events and setting themselves challenges, including an impressive four day 100 mile walk along Hadrian’s Wall and a charity Summer afternoon of racing at Bath Racecourse, which raised an incredible £34,000. All the events are part of their £50,000 fundraising programme for urgent research at Bristol’s hospitals into the treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) - a debilitating auto-immune illness whereby platelets are destroyed causing potentially life-threatening bleeding, and severe tiredness. We hope they inspire you to work with Above & Beyond too!

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Reasons to choose us! £3million+

needed every year for our hospitals

Our hospitals need the latest equipment, staff training, research and an improved

environment

patients come from across the South West

We support

We aim to

We go

to every patient and every condition

what the NHS has the means to do

Our

make a difference

Get involved

take part in a challenge, walk, cycle, knit, get muddy, bake, jump, volunteer!

We can help inspire your staff, students, members, pupils

9 hospitals above and beyond Demonstrate your

community commitment We want to work with you… and we make it easy!

We have tons of ideas about how you could get involved with Above & Beyond and support our city centre hospitals. Call Cressida or Lorna today on 0117 927 7120 or email [email protected]

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Christmas is coming! Christmas Star Concert

Thursday 15 December, 7.30pm – 9pm Bristol Cathedral Join us for a magical evening of music and traditional carols in the stunning surroundings of Bristol Cathedral. Featuring BBC Radio Bristol’s Phil Hammond, our compere for the evening, the Bristol Salvation Army Citadel Band, local school choirs and The Above & Beyond Singers. All tickets sold raise money for Bristol city centre hospitals.

Tickets: £10 adult, £20 family (2 adults, 2 children), £5 children. To purchase please call Above & Beyond on 0117 3700 485 or pop into our Fundraising Hub, BRI Welcome Centre (in-between WHSmith and M&S), Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm.

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Christmas in Lapland

Wednesday 14 and Thursday 20 December, 7pm The Passenger Shed, Temple Meads, Bristol

Celebrate your Christmas party in an in an enchanting and mystical land this year! Journey through a magical moonlit forest, with snow underfoot and fir trees glistening under a canopy of stars. Enjoy a sparkling drink served under the northern lights and a fabulously festive three-course meal from Hype’s award winning caterers. During dinner you’ll be joined by festive characters who will take you on a magical journey through Lapland. The festivities continue late into the evening with a live band, DJ and the ever popular photo booth. These parties are not to be missed and are open to all - friends and family groups, businesses and clubs. See you there! Tickets: £40 per person plus VAT. £5 from every ticket sold is donated to Bristol’s city centre hospitals. Book via Hype on 0117 971 0320 or email [email protected] and quote ‘Above & Beyond’ or visit www.hypeagency.co.uk/bristol.

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GET INVOLVED Take part or volunteer in an event and help half a million patients, the millions of family and friends who visit them and the 8,000 NHS staff who care for them OCTOBER 2016 Sat 29

Sat 12

Sun 22

NOVEMBER 2016

Sun 29

DECEMBER 2016 Wed 14

Thurs 15 Tues 20

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Christmas in Lapland, Hype Christmas Party Night, Passenger Shed, Temple Meads The Above & Beyond Christmas Star Concert, Bristol Cathedral

Vitality Bath Half Marathon

APRIL 2017 Above & Beyond Skydive, Salisbury

Doynton Hard Half Marathon, South Gloucestershire

Sat 15

Yorkshire Three Peaks

Sun 23

Virgin London Marathon

Pipley Woods Mudbath, Bath

F 28, Sa 29 & Su 30

Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge

FEBRUARY 2017

Purbeck Hill-a-Sauraus MTB, Dorset

Sun 12 Sat 8

JANUARY 2017

Gung Ho Spooktacular, Ashton Court

MARCH 2017

Sun 12

Bath Skyline 10k, last in the series, University of Bath

Sun 26

Slay the Dragon; 10k, 4k, or 2k runs, Hinton St George, Somerset

Mo 1, Tu 2 Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge

Two Tunnels Railway Race, Bath

Tues 28

Christmas in Lapland, Hype Christmas Party Night, Passenger Shed, Temple Meads

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MAY 2017 Fri 5

Jurassic Coast Trek

Sun 7

Bristol 10k

Sat 13

Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge

Sun tbc

Velothon Wales closed road sportive

Making a difference all year round Regular donations help hospitals to plan for the future and fund longterm projects. If you would like to set up a Direct Debit and make a regular donation please call Sam on 0117 927 7120 ext 203 or visit www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk and click on our pink ‘donate’ button, selecting the option to give regularly. Thank you.

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CHRISTMAS STAR CONCERT

Bristol Cathedral Thursday 15 December 2016

Above & Beyond, The Abbot’s House, Blackfriars, Bristol, BS1 2NZ Registered Charity No. 229945