Children’s nurses Catherine Grasby and Jennifer Gould are gearing up for the bike ride of a lifetime to raise money for a new scanner for their young patients.
The clinical nurse specialists, who are based in Children’s Outpatients at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford, will cycle from London to Paris this July, arriving in in Paris on July 28 – the same day the Tour de France ends in the capital.
Catherine and Jennifer are hoping to raise £3,200 for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity – the official NHS charity partner of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which will be used to purchase a portable ultrasound scanner for Children’s Outpatients.
Catherine, who has worked as a children’s rheumatology clinical nurse specialist for nine years, said: “We provide an excellent service to our children, but we always strive to do more. Our children’s rheumatology team at St Luke’s Hospital would love a portable ultrasound scanner, as it would enable the team to have an extra diagnostic tool which could assist in a quicker diagnosis, leading to earlier treatment and therefore a better long-term outcome.
“The children and young people I care for face a daily battle with pain, whereas mine will be temporary. They will be my motivation to keep going when I am struggling, as I see their battles on a daily basis and they are a constant inspiration to me.”
Rewarding
Paediatric surgical nurse specialist Jennifer said: “We have an excellent team of nurses and doctors here in Bradford, both in the hospitals and in the community, not to mention the rest of the multi-disciplinary team. It’s very rewarding and it is important to all of us that the children and their families have the best possible experience in the circumstances.
“I am taking on this challenge to raise money for our hospital charity, which is close to our hearts, so we can have support and additional equipment to allow us to provide the very best treatment, care and service possible.”
Hayley Collis, head of fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “Our charity is dedicated to ensuring patients and their families receive the very best treatment and care. Our staff expect nothing less than the best. This is why we are committed to providing equipment which is often over and above what the NHS funds, because we want to improve outcomes.
“We wish Catherine and Jennifer ‘bon chance’ as they cycle their way to fundraising success!”
You can donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/catherine-grasby-and-jennifer-gould
To find out more about Bradford Hospitals’ Charity and how you can support your NHS hospitals, visit www.bradfordhospitalscharity.org. Alternatively, contact Hayley Collis or Elaine Drake on 01274 274809 or email charity@bthft.nhs.uk