NHS worker raises funds for ITU staff after witnessing impact of Covid

An avid fundraiser for NHS staff and patients raised £150 for the Intensive Care Unit (ITU) after witnessing first-hand the strain medics were under at the height of the pandemic earlier this year.

Ann has worked within the NHS for over 20 years. She has worked in Therapies and has since moved to the Cardiology Audit Team at Solihull Hospital. When she saw the impact Covid was having on hospitals' she decided to work every Saturday to assist with the high volume of paperwork.

Ann said: “It was initially so stressful for me even though I wasn 't on the actual ward, we did go onto ITU all gowned up to collect patients notes and files, COVID certainly became real seeing all of those patients. The staff in the ITU are incredibly hardworking. It certainly opened my eyes when I was on there, they were dealing with COVID morning, noon and night, and it was relentless. ”

A close colleague of Ann 's, Bev Singleton said: “I felt I needed to help my colleagues on the frontline during COVID as I knew the pressures they would be facing. I gave my all and wouldn 't hesitate if I was asked to help again. ”

After experiencing the drastic impact Covid was having on the ITU, Ann wanted to raise money to give something back to the team who were working around the clock. Ann decided to melt images onto candles and then sold them. A hobby she thoroughly enjoys. Ann was able to raise £150 for the staff so that they could treat themselves to a nice team lunch or dinner.

This is not the first time Ann has gone out of her way to support staff and patients. She is extremely passionate about raising funds for the elderly in hospital, especially those with dementia.

Ann has completed a range of compelling fundraising events through UHB Charity including skydives and abseils to raise these vital funds.