Birmingham hospital staff going above and beyond for Charity

Patrick Watson, who works at Heartlands Hospital and is visually impaired, is taking on our Charity Abseil this September. He’s signed up to take part in the event on the 14 September to fundraise for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Heartlands Hospital Charity, Good Hope Hospital Charity, and Solihull Hospital Charity.

When asked about why he chose to take on the Charity Abseil, Patrick said; “I work in the Appointment Centre at Heartlands Hospital, speaking with patients every day it has always struck me how fantastic the staff are at all the hospitals in the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. They go above and beyond for their patients, and I wanted to do something to support them.

“I have done several abseils in the past – all for charity – and get a real thrill from it.

“Because I am visually impaired and use a white cane, I think that some of the fear of abseiling off a big building doesn’t get to me until I’m actually up there, then it hits. I always dress as Tigger when I do an abseil, it’s a bit of fun but it takes away some of the nerves.

“Doing the Charity Abseil at Good Hope Hospital is very personal for me, my daughter was born at the hospital, and I still remember fondly how incredible the staff were. I always feel that donating to a hospital charity is so personal, you can see the effect your donation has, and you know that it’s having a positive impact on lives, it makes this challenge very special to me.”

The Charity funds a wide range of equipment and resources over and above what the NHS can provide. From life-saving research, and state-of-the-art equipment, to safe play areas and sensory toys to help patient wellbeing. The money raised for the Charity by Patrick will be put to good use, helping patients, their families and staff across the Trust.