The father of a man who left £81,300 to the N&N Hospitals Charity has returned to the N&N to meet the team who treated his son and see the equipment purchased thanks to the legacy gift.
Nicholas (Nick) Fuller was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a very young age, and his condition developed as he got older.
His parents were initially told that his lifespan would be around 35 years but he was 54 when he died, after enjoying life to the full, travelling around the world with his parents and making friends wherever he went.
Nick Fuller
His legacy was shared between the Cancer Care and Respiratory departments and used to purchase a non-invasive mechanical ventilation system which helps improve symptoms and the quality of life and survival of patients with prolonged neuro-muscular conditions for which there is no cure. It also paid for a trans-cutaneous CO2 monitor which is non-invasive and suitable to be used at home.
Nick’s father, George, said: “Nick was an amazing young man who never let his disability affect his approach to life. He made us proud parents and for that we will be eternally grateful.”
After leaving school at 16, Nick worked for the Ministry of Defence and served in Germany at the same time as George who was serving in the Royal Air Force.
On their return to the UK, Nick was stationed at an RAF base in Cambridgeshire until he died in 2020.
George said: “When the family moved to Norfolk in 2003, Nick was monitored by consultants from various departments at the N&N. Respiratory Consultant Philippe Grunstein was his favourite and he looked forward to his consultations.
“Not once in his relatively short life did I hear him moan or ask the question ‘why me?’
“During his later years, Nick was hospitalised with pneumonia twice and it was the expertise and professionalism of Philippe that brought him through those traumatic times and to whom we will always be indebted.
“A true gentleman and a credit to the NHS and NNUH and the main reason why we are sure that Nick would want others to benefit from his legacy.”
Julie Cooper, Head of Grants at the N&N Hospitals Charity, said: “Nick’s family are, rightly, very proud of their son, and we were privileged to hear his story, and to be able to help create a lasting legacy from the gift he has given in his will.
“We thank the family for their generosity which will help improve the lives and treatment of many more patients in the future.”
If you would like information about leaving a gift in your will, please contact nnuhcharity@nnuh.nhs.uk
Photo caption: Left to right: Director of Transformation Alex Berry, Respiratory Consultants Prasanna Sankaran and Philippe Grunstein and George Fuller.
