An employee at Sainsbury’s in Norwich has raised £4,548 for the N&N Hospitals Charity’s new £1m appeal, by dressing up as Santa Claus throughout his shifts in December.
Simon Game, from Bowthorpe, who works as a personal shopper in the Longwater branch, collected donations from generous shoppers, while the store itself had charity buckets and information about the plan to create the Norfolk and Norwich Orthopaedic Centre (NANOC).
The £11.4m innovative orthopaedic elective centre will see the N&N Hospitals Charity investing £2m for equipment, £1m of which has already been raised.
The cause is close to Simon’s heart after he underwent hip surgery a number of years ago following crippling arthritis which had left him in unbearable pain.
Now, Simon is backing the new centre which will carry out around 2,500 orthopaedic cases a year for patients who need ankle, foot, hip, knee or shoulder operations.
Simon said: “I waited 18 months for my new hip and the pain was horrendous at times. I had trouble walking, needed to use crutches or a frame to get around, and I often needed to sit down. I was unable to drive because of pain in even using the clutch.
“Just eight weeks after the operation, I was back at work, could start driving again and lead a normal life. I want to support the appeal because I know, first hand, the difference this has made to me.”
Simon said the support he received from shoppers and colleagues had been overwhelming: “People have been so generous, putting donations into the buckets and wishing me well, and the management have been wonderful in supporting me.
“I’m just so pleased to have raised so much for this fantastic cause.”
You can support the NANOC appeal and fund out more here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/NANOC
Picture captions: John Paul Garside Charity Director with Tom Niblock, Manager Sainsbury’s Longwater; Sainsbury’s staff with John Paul Garside (Simon Game is 4th from left)
