Work colleagues go over and above for Solihull Hospital Charity

12 months ago Sally Brunt was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer. Sally received the shocking news just after the birth of her first grand daughter. Sally was utterly devastated having already lost close members of her family to cancer, she knew from first had experience the effects it would have and the fight that lay ahead.

Prior to her diagnosis Sally worked at Timpson and Johnsons Dry Cleaners company as a branch manager for several years. Hearing the news about Sally and another colleague currently fighting cancer, the team wanted to show their support in any way that they could.

Colleague and friend Shelley Banks said: “We wanted to show our support and love to them by making sure they didn't feel that they were fighting this alone. Having two colleagues fighting cancer, we thought how we could best support them and show them we are thinking of them through their struggles, so we decided to raise money on their behalf for the cancer charity of their choice.”

As Sally is currently being treated at Solihull Hospital she wanted to raise money to the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit which is supported by the hospital charity. The Haematology and Oncology Day Unit opened back in July 2018, it has been designed specifically with a patient’s needs in mind and offers a more peaceful and comfortable environment for them to receive cancer treatment.

The colleagues took part in various events across the area, with raffles, dressing up and pyjama days, cake bakes, guess the teddy bears names and many more.

Shelley said: “Sally was so pleased when we raised over £1500 for the amazing people who had helped her in her hours of need, her hero's in uniform. She was overwhelmed at the support she received from her colleagues and customers, and I was honoured to stand with her to present the cheque to such amazing people. It’s a small token of thanks to the most amazing, caring people.

“Sally still has a long road ahead, but is always positive and a true fighter. She would like to say a personal Thank You to the wonderful doctors and nurses for all their support. Words cannot express what an amazing job they all do.”

Rachel Leamonth, Fundraiser Manager at Solihull Hospital Charity said: “Thank you so much to the amazing team at Timpson and Johnsons Dry Cleaners! Your donations will enable the Charity to provide ‘added extras’ that go over and above what the NHS can fund. Currently, the Charity are appealing for a beautiful and tranquil garden area for our cancer patients at the unit, offering them privacy and peace whilst receiving their treatments.”

If you would like to help support the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit, please visit: hospitalcharity.org/donate