Children’s Emergency Department complete 24hr rowathon for The Grand Appeal in Bristol
Posted on: 22 Feb 2018On 15th Feb, a team of around 30 doctors, nurses and hospital staff from Bristol children’s hospital faced an epic 24 hour ‘rowathon’ to raise vital funds to help the hospital’s charity, The Grand Appeal, fund a major transformation of the department.
The rowathon began on Thursday 15th February at 10.30am at Bristol children’s hospital, where the team pulled together through the day and night to raise money to support The Grand Appeal’s Emergency Department Appeal. With three rowing machines loaned by the University of Bristol, the team managed to cover 365 kilometres in 24 hours– representing the 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day that the Emergency Department provides critical care to young patients from across the South West.
A child is admitted every 15 minutes to the children's Emergency Department, which treats over 40,000 ill or injured children and babies each year. With an ever-expanding population under its care, the children’s Emergency Department is in need of expansion and renovation. Since launching in July last year, the Emergency Department Appeal has supported the renovation and transformation of the resuscitation area, and has funded an additional pioneering Resuscitaire to increase its capacity as a leading Major Trauma Centre in the UK.
Sian Thomas, Emergency Department Consultant, said: “Every day I am inspired by the way that the department works together as a team to provide the highest level of care to the young patients that come through our doors. That really helped us pull through this challenge, and we are over the moon that we managed to conquer 365 miles in just 24 hours! We are so grateful to everybody who cheered us on, donated, and even came down to the hospital reception to take part. The money raised will benefit the many poorly children and babies that we treat in the department every single day."
Suzanne Maverick, Fundraising Manager at The Grand Appeal added: "This challenge shows just how dedicated and devoted the Emergency Department team is to make sure that families in the region continue to have access to the best paediatric emergency care possible. It is truly remarkable to see a team meet the winter pressures while also going beyond their call of duty to raise money for the children in their care. We are so thankful to the whole team and those from across the hospital that took part in the challenge, and to the people of the South West for donating to our Emergency Department Appeal. It will help us make a huge difference to families across the region who rely on this department for leading paediatric emergency care.”
Since 1995, The Grand Appeal has raised over £50 million to support sick children and their families in Bristol children’s hospital, funding life-saving equipment and ground-breaking medical facilities as well as providing accommodation, and support for families and patients. Bristol children’s hospital is one of the UK’s leading children’s hospitals treating over 100,000 patients every year with life-threatening illnesses from Bristol, the South West of England, South Wales and beyond.
To find out more about The Grand Appeal, click here.
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Hannah recently graduated with a degree in English with Writing. She is an avid writer, freelancer and creative. She is currently writing her first full-length novel and a collection of poetry. Always out and about in Bristol's music scene, she attends music events on a weekly basis.
