As 2018 comes to an end, we have been reflecting on what has been a fantastic year and one of the busiest for N&N Hospitals Charity.
Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us by taking part in challenges, organising events and generally going above and beyond to raise money for our charity.
We started the year with a new logo and branding for the charity, closely followed by our new website dedicated to everything about the work we do. Our McKee House appeal was launched in the Spring with the aim of raising £15,000 to help provide free accommodation to parents whose babies are in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – and we were able to achieve this in October.
In June we held our summer fete with this year’s theme Woof, Wellies and Wellbeing, during which we hosted our first fun dog show and woodland walk – both events were hugely popular and something we hope we can do again.
In July, hundreds of cyclists braved scorching temperatures to take part in the annual NNUH 100 Sportive, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s charity bike ride.
Complete novices lined up alongside more experienced cyclists to 100, 60 or 30-mile routes – a particularly gruelling challenge on what was one of the hottest days of the summer with many cyclists on the roads for more than 10 hours.
Throughout the year, we have enjoyed seeing how some of the state-of-the-art equipment funded by the charity has started to benefit our patients, including a Laparoscopy Stack System to treat patients with endometrial cancer, a Confocal Microscope for detecting skin cancer, and a £600,000 High-Dose Rate prostate brachytherapy treatment space in the Colney Centre.
At the end of October, we launched our £800,000 Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal to provide a dedicated breast cancer unit here at the N&N.
We hosted a fantastic launch event at the Forum, where we heard from our medical team looking to provide a one-stop shop service for patients which will offer on-the-day diagnosis.
We also heard from former breast cancer patient Rebecca Mayhew and Anna Stevenson whose younger sister is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They told the audience how unbearable the wait for results can be, not just for the patients, but for their loved ones who often feel helpless.
We have been overwhelmed by the support of many groups and individuals with a whole host of fundraising events planned for 2019 to benefit our Boudicca appeal.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could achieve the target during 2019 and be able to open our new Breast Cancer Unit?
It just remains for us to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year from us all at N&N Hospitals Charity.
