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Welcome to the May UHNM Charity Newsletter!

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Welcome to the UHNM Charity Newsletter!

Here's what we and our supporters have been up to this May!

Keep Stoke Smiling Campaign Wins Best Charity Initiative

UHNM Charity is thrilled to announce that the Keep Stoke Smiling campaign has won the prestigious Best Outreach or Charity Initiative at The Probe Dental Awards 2024.

Originally conceived in 2018, Keep Stoke Smiling aims to improve oral health awareness and habits across Staffordshire. The campaign has reached diverse segments of the community, targeting those in need as well as the broader population. By providing education and resources, Keep Stoke Smiling has helped individuals of all ages adopt better oral hygiene practices, resulting in a noticeable improvement in community health.

The judges at The Probe Dental Awards praised the campaign, stating, "The judges described the Keep Stoke Smiling outreach campaign as a breath of fresh air. Originally conceived in 2018, they not only target an audience in need, but reach an entire community in all its diversities, whether vulnerable or otherwise. Continually promoting the importance of good oral health, a real benefit has been achieved in both changing habits and increased awareness." More>

UHNM Charity launch appeal to help fund new scanner at Staffordshire Children's Hospital at Royal Stoke

Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke is appealing to kind-hearted fundraisers to support their UHNM Charity appeal for a new scanner to help make inserting cannulas and taking blood tests in babies and children less stressful for patients and families.

Staffordshire Children’s Hospital, which is part of University Hospitals of North Midlands, is appealing for people to dig deep and help raise funds to purchase a new scanner called a vein finder, which will help take away the stress and upset which often comes when taking a blood test or inserting a canula in a very young child.

Evelyn Chia, Paediatric Consultant, said: “Paediatric canulisation is already a specialised skill. Even the most experienced practitioners find it extremely difficult canulating severely ill or poorly patients and this can prevent or delay the delivery of life saving treatment or medication. “With the use of modern ultra-sound equipment vascular access can be made far easier and quicker as it can be done under ultra-sound guidance and enables a practitioner to access vascular quicker.” More>

Bereaved parents at Staffordshire Children's Hospital at Royal Stoke making memories thanks to UHNM Charity

Meet Bekki and Amy, two nurses helping bereaved parents at SCH make memories thanks to UHNM Charity funding.

Bekki Bache, a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants, and Amy Smith, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Paediatric Palliative Care, are now able to offer any family who wants one, a bespoke charm featuring the foot, hand, or fingerprint of their child.

Thanks to UHNM Charity’s supporters, families with children up until the age of 18 years will also be offered special bereavement books to help siblings better understand loss, journals, and hand moulds. More>

Anthony raises over £1,300 for UHNM Charity by running Stafford Half Marathon

Anthony Hayhoe was given life-saving cancer surgery in 2021 at Royal Stoke. After spending several weeks on Ward 109, Anthony decided he needed to do something to give back to the staff and surgeons who treated him.

Anthony began training with his close friend, Stuart, who helped him lace up his boots once more and get back into a fit and healthy shape. In March, Anthony took on the Stafford Half Marathon and raised a whopping £1368.36 for Ward 109!

The experience of patients receiving end-of-life care on a UHNM ward has been improved thanks to the efforts of a kind-hearted nurse.

After noticing families had nothing to take loved one’s medication and documents home in, Samantha Hanna, Advanced Nurse Practitioner on Ward 222 at the Royal Stoke, started making her own colourful bags with the help of family friends.

Samantha, who’s worked on the Respiratory ward since 2017 said: “Patients on end-of-life care leave us with their anticipatory medication, this is the medication they need when they’re coming to the end of their life to make them more comfortable. These are things like painkillers, something to stop them being sick and agitated, and something to help dry up their secretion. They also have all the necessary forms and patient information. More>

Fundraiser takes on 107 mile journey to raise funds for UHNM Charity

On 13 January 2024, Michael Holden had a heart attack. After starting up with chest pains, he immediately called an ambulance, and within minutes he was being assessed by paramedics, beginning his treatment.

After over a week of tests at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, he was told he needed bypass surgery and was put on the waiting list for UHNM. In January 24, Michael was taken to UHNM and given life-saving quadruple cardiac bypass surgery. He is now able to look forward to a future with his family.

Only a couple of months later, Michael is now planning on taking on a 107-mile walk/cycle from Scourie to John o’ Groats. Aiming to raise £10,000 for stress awareness, increasing awareness about hypertension, and donating money to the Cardiac Team at UHNM. More>

UHNM's Bereavement, Maternity and Neonatal teams are setting out to raise funds for a new quiet outdoor area for patient contemplation.

The proposed Forget-Me-Not flower statue will be accessible to family and staff who have gone through pregnancy loss, still-birth, and neo-natal death.

The team will be taking on the Trentham Park Run on July 20 to help raise funds for UHNM Charity. Click here to donate to the cause.

Colleagues from across Staffordshire Children's Hospital are now in training to run Potters' Arf Marathon for UHNM Charity.

Staff will be taking on the Potters' Arf later this year to help raise money for a new, high-spec piece of equipment, a vein finder.

The vein finder helps clinicians locate small veins in infants and children, helping to improve the quality of their care. Find out more here>

New Eye Gaze machine now in action thanks to staff fundraising efforts

Two staff nurses raised money by running the Hanley Economic Potters Arf Marathon and putting on a charity football match for the new Eye Gaze machine.

The Eye Gaze gives non-verbal patients comfort in knowing they can still communicate by typing on the screen with their eyes. Not only is this better for the patient, but it also speeds up the time it may take to find out what a non-verbal patient may need It is with the help of fundraisers and donations that wards can continue to improve their service to their patients.

Donate £5 today by texting EPIC5 to 70800. *Texts cost the donation value plus your standard network rate. 100% goes to UHNM. To donate and opt out of future contact end your text with NO. For any questions call 01782 676444 or visit uhnmcharity.org.uk*

Former patient donates £3,500 to Cancer Centre at UHNM

Former patient, Frank, has donated an outstanding £3,500 to the Cancer Centre at Royal Stoke raised at a charity evening at Norton Social Club.

Frank organised the evening of entertainment which included a raffle and was kindly hosted by his friend Tracy, who is the President at Norton Social Club.

Jayne Goodwin, Junior Sister on Ward 201 at Royal Stoke said, "We would just like to say a huge thank you to Frank, his family on friends for taking the time and effort in raising such a large sum of money. It was lovely to see Frank, he visited the ward and was able to meet some of the staff who cared for him."

Join us in a “sponsored move” as we collectively go Around the World

Staff from across UHNM are invited to join UHNM Charity this summer in a bid to collectively travel 'Around the World' to raise awareness of UHNM's ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving’ campaign along with funds for the Charity's work.

Between 4-11 July, we want as many staff as possible to get sponsored and record how far they travel- be that run, walk, cycle, dance or skip, in an effort to collectively circumnavigate the globe.

The event coincides with the global #endpjparalysis summit, and highlights UHNM's ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving’ campaign, which aims to help our healthcare professionals recognise the long-term effects of deconditioning, implement simple measures to prevent it, and educate patients and carers about the importance of remaining active during hospital admission and following discharge. More>

Did you know you can help us to make an even bigger impact to patient care and experience at UHNM by setting up a monthly donation? Visit our website to find out more! Donate now!

Save the Dates: UHNM Charity's Spectacular Events in 2024!

Get ready for a year filled with glamour, fun, and generosity as UHNM Charity unveils its lineup of spectacular events for 2024! Mark your calendars and join us for three unforgettable occasions, each promising to be bigger and better than ever before.

UHNM Euros with Newcastle Town FC at Roe Lane - LIMITED SPACES LEFT!

Kick off the summer with football excitement at Roe Lane on 29 June. The UHNM Euros is not just a tournament; it's a family fun day filled with thrilling matches and exciting activities for all ages. Lace up your boots, gather your team, and join us for a day of sportsmanship and community spirit. Secure your team's spot now at the UHNM Charity Shop.

UHNM Charity Ball: Hollywood Edition

Prepare to step into the glitz and glamour of Hollywood on 8 November at the exquisite DoubleTree by Hilton. Thanks to our esteemed title sponsors LD Property and WDPS Stoke Ltd, this year's Charity Ball promises to be an evening of elegance and extravagance. Walk the red carpet, mingle with fellow supporters, and enjoy an unforgettable night while supporting a great cause. Buy tickets now!

UHNM Golf Day

Tee off for charity at the scenic Barlaston Golf Club on 14 June . Back for the third year running, the UHNM Golf Day promises a day of friendly competition, picturesque views, and fundraising for a great cause. Thanks to our loyal title sponsors LD Property and WDPS Stoke Ltd, this event is sure to be a hole-in-one. Gather your golfing buddies and join us for a day on the green. Buy tickets now!