Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust Logo
Close
Menu

Author: Danni Smith

ACT celebrates first corporate partner to raise over half a million in fundraising

Posted on by Danni Smith

A LEADING hospital charity that funds cutting edge equipment and groundbreaking research for Addenbrooke’s is celebrating its first corporate partner ever to hit half a million pounds in fundraising.

The impressive total comes after a seven-year partnership between Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and Cambridge Commodities in Ely, the longest strategic corporate partner the charity has had.

Following a year of fundraising, staff at Cambridge Commodities visited the ACT offices to hand over a cheque for £77,000, raised with the firm’s annual ball and some office events – bringing their total over the years to £561,810.

CEO James Stevens (pictured right) and his staff voted to work with ACT seven years ago after staff expressed their desire to work with a local charity that benefits the lives of so many
staff, family and friends – and where their impact would be visible.

James said staff have thrown themselves into fundraising challenges over the years, saying: “In the seven years we’ve been working with ACT we have been given the opportunity to be part of so many incredible events. We’ve Dragon boated, we’ve
handed out daffodils to CUH staff, baked cakes, we’ve half marathoned, human fruit
machined, dressed up, quizzed, wrapped Christmas presents, put on some
spectacular festive black-tie events, laughed, cried and had the most memorable of times. These events haven’t just raised much needed money for ACT but have brought our team, Team CC, closer together and added purpose.”

Claire Billing, Director of Fundraising at ACT, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to celebrate this amazing achievement with James and his team. This is the first time any of our corporate partners have raised over half a million pounds so we would like to thank everyone at Cambridge Commodities for all their hard work and support over the years.”

As the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, ACT – which celebrates its 30th birthday this year – funds cutting-edge equipment and groundbreaking research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide. Funding makes real inroads in patient care, benefitting families in the East of England and beyond.

James said: “We are so lucky to have such an incredible hospital on our doorstep so staff get a chance to say thank you and I get a huge amount of pride seeing our staff volunteering for an event when it would be so much easier for them to say no!”

Since fundraising for both Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, James and his team have had many first-hand experiences of seeing the fruits of their labour.

One member of staff, Emily, received one of the Christmas presents her company funded and she helped wrap after being admitted to the Rosie at Christmas, after going into labour early.

Another member of staff to experience the direct impact of their fundraising is Natalie Scott Paul, the firm’s Head of Payroll, who organises the Annual Christmas Ball every year with finance manager Carly Purell.

“One of the things we wanted to do was pay the salary of a play therapist. That year my daughter was admitted to Addenbrooke’s, and the play therapist came to see her while she was waiting to be seen. I texted everyone at work and said, ‘we did that!’”

Asked for some of his team’s favourite moments, James said: “The daffodil giving, which we have funded, is always a fantastic event because we get a chance to personally say thanks to all the hospital staff whilst handing out bunches of daffodils. And it would be impossible not to mention the Christmas gift giving day we had late last year when we were able to give the gifts we’d raised money for and wrapped directly to the patients. This was made even more special by five very close friends mentioning to me after Christmas that their friends and family received, and very much appreciated, their gift and card.”

James, whose passion for working with ACT led to him to volunteer as a trustee, where he currently chairs the Fundraising Committee, said he never expected to be working with ACT for as long as he has.

“We were originally aiming to raise ÂŁ20,000 for our 20th birthday which once achieved turned into the best addiction to raising more. I couldn’t be prouder of the team, our supporters and the ACT staff for making it all so much fun. What better feeling is there than bringing a smile to someone’s face and making people happy?”

Praising James and his team, Claire said: “By donating to ACT they – and anyone else who donates to our charity – know that all the money raised will go towards funding groundbreaking research and high-tech equipment to improve the lives of patients, families and staff at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie.”

“Examples of this include the first MRI Scanner Wrap in the UK, which ACT supporters funded. The work, carried out by Grosvenor Interiors, completely transformed the MRI scanner by wrapping it in nature-themed images, meaning
many more patients are now able to go through with their scan first time, resulting in earlier diagnoses which saves lives as well as thousands of pounds in patient care for the NHS.”

“Another example is the £1.5 million public campaign which paid for a second da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system for Addenbrooke’s which is helping to cut waiting lists and provide surgery that is less invasive, allowing patients to go home earlier; in hours as opposed to days or weeks.”

“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with James and his team who now feel like more of an extension to the ACT team as we have built such a strong working relationship with them over the years.”

Natasha Robertson, Corporate Partnerships Manager at ACT, said: “We are so grateful to everyone at Cambridge Commodities for everything they have done. James and his team work tirelessly throughout the year, every year.”

“One of the joys of being a charity partner with ACT is that staff can really throw themselves into fundraising and be as involved as little, or as much, as they like. It can be anything from taking part in one of our exciting fundraising challenges, helping out at events, getting involved in a special project within the hospital itself or speaking to supporters within the hospitals. The possibilities are endless.”

To find out how James balances the needs of running a business with fundraising, please visit: www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/corporate-parternships

If you are a corporate and would like to get in touch about opportunities to work with ACT, please email: corporate@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

To contact our fundraising team email: fundraising@act4addebrookes.org.uk and to donate please go to: www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/donate.

Every patient in Addenbrooke’s to receive gift on Christmas Day thanks to Cambridgeshire firm’s fundraiser

Posted on by Danni Smith

‘Magical’ and ‘rewarding’ were the words used to describe a day of handing out Christmas presents and chocolates to staff and patients to ensure that every patient in Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie on Christmas Day will have a present to open. 

The festive gifts were paid for by caring staff from Ely firm, Cambridge Commodities, who spend the year fundraising for the two hospitals through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). 

An annual Christmas Ball focuses on giving back – with proceeds from the event ensuring that every patient in hospital over the festive season will receive a gift. Their thoughtfulness extends to all the staff too, who receive a box of chocolates in appreciation.  

Handing them out last week, ready for Christmas, was a team of staff from Cambridge Commodities and ACT. 

James Stevens, CEO of Cambridge Commodities (fifth from left), said: “One of the most special times in the year is Christmas and every year, at our annual festive Ball, we raise money to pay for every patient who wakes up on Christmas Day to receive a gift.” 

“It’s just the most incredible feeling to have spent the day with members of my team who have been handing out presents they wrapped only a few days ago.“ 

“One of my favourite feelings from today is we get to wake up on Christmas morning knowing that hopefully we have brought a smile to someone who is not having the best time, and if we can bring a little bit of love and a smile to people’s lives, that makes my Christmas.” 

Nikki, one of James’ team of helpers, (first on the left), said the day had extra special meaning for her as it marked the one-year anniversary of her dad’s death. 

Her dad, Michael, had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and had been cared for by staff at Addenbrooke’s.  

“He had chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at Addenbrooke’s and the staff were just amazing. It seems insignificant giving out chocolates as a way of saying thank you but the staff don’t realise the work they do. My dad was a single parent and we were incredibly close and the staff were just phenomenal with him. No question was ever too silly. Their care was second to none.” 

“Today has been incredible. As well as the presents for patients, we have bought a box of chocolates for all the staff and although it’s only a box of chocolates to say thank you, today has been very, very rewarding.” 

Natasha Robertson, Corporate Partnerships Manager at ACT said: “Today has been so magical and really demonstrates the difference that a heartfelt act of kindness makes and the strength of partnerships and making a difference together.” 

Paul White, (first on left), ACT’s Director of Communications and Impact, said: “Being in hospital at any time is really difficult but never more so than over Christmas. Showing staff and patients that there are people out there thinking of them and caring makes a world of difference. Cambridge Commodities have been working towards this all year and for them to be here today to be part of it is fantastic.” 

Ashwitha Rai, a nutrition assistant who will be working both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, thanked ACT and Cambridge Commodities saying: “It makes a lot of difference for the staff as well as the patients.”  

As well as handing out presents to staff, James also got to visit one of the wards where some of the elderly patients will be spending Christmas Day. 

Ninety-year-old Cynthia, pictured with Paul and James, had only been admitted the night before. She said she normally spent Christmas with about 16 or 17 family members including her son, grandchildren and great grandchildren and said receiving the special gift from Cambridge Commodities and ACT was “marvellous.” 

Ben’s Yard, in Ely, also got involved in the special event by donating their marquee and refreshments as a space for Christmas wrapping, providing their own team of staff to help wrap presents too. 

To find out about volunteer opportunities at ACT, visit www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/volunteer 

Corporates who would like to support ACT as Charity of the Year can also get in touch by emailing: corporatepartnerships@act4addenbrookes.org.uk 

Celebrate 30 Years of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust with the Adventure of a Lifetime! 

Posted on by Danni Smith

In 2025, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) will celebrate three decades of making a difference—and we’re inviting supporters to mark this milestone in an extraordinary way, joining us for the adventure of a lifetime: a trek across the Great Wall of China in May 2026! 

This unforgettable challenge combines breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and the opportunity to support groundbreaking care and research at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Over five days, participants will explore a remote section of the iconic Great Wall, trekking from Gubeikou to Jinshanling and Simatai. Along the way, they’ll be immersed in the stunning scenery of green hills and mountain peaks while walking in the footsteps of history. 

But the journey doesn’t stop at the wall itself. Trekkers will enjoy authentic Chinese cultural experiences, including stays in traditional guesthouses and delicious local cuisine, creating memories that will last a lifetime. 

“We are so excited to expand our portfolio of events and launch this bespoke, international trek to our supporters,” says Bec Beattie, Community Fundraising Manager. “This is an amazing way to experience a bucket list destination all while raising funds for the Addenbrooke’s and Rosie Hospitals. Making a difference to patients’ lives whilst having the experience of a lifetime.” 

This tough but rewarding challenge is perfect for anyone looking to push themselves while making a meaningful difference. With just 30 exclusive places available—one for each year of ACT’s incredible impact—it’s an opportunity to celebrate this milestone in a truly unforgettable way. 

Discover More: 
To learn more about this incredible adventure, join ACT for a discovery evening: 
When: Thursday, 23rd January 2025, 6:00 PM 
Where: The Old Bull Inn, 56 High Street, Royston SG8 9AW 
Register: Email fundraising@act4addenbrookes.org.uk to secure your spot. 

You can also find out more here.

Bestselling author and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here finalist Rev. Richard Coles backs public appeal to see brand new children’s hospital built in Cambridge 

Posted on by Danni Smith

Bestselling author, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here finalist, and one-half of the chart-topping 1980s band the Communards, Rev. Richard Coles has backed the public appeal to raise money for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital – describing the need for one as ‘urgent.’

Speaking at a special literary lunch to promote the latest book in his number one bestselling crime series, The Canon Clement Mysteries, just days after his release from the jungle, Richard praised Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust’s public appeal for the children’s hospital which will be the first of its kind in the East of England.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital (CCH) will be unique in treating mental and physical health together under one roof, alongside world-leading research delivered in the Cambridge Children’s Research Institute (CCRI).

Richard praised the appeal, saying: “It really surprises me to hear that there hasn’t been a children’s hospital here in the East of England until now, because the need is so urgent, and so anything you can do to get some energy and commitment into that would be fantastic.”

“I’m specially delighted to hear that it’s something that provides for both mental health needs and physical health needs, because it’s a scandal the state of provision, or lack of provision, for children and young people with severe mental health problem. I’m delighted that is going to be worked into it from the beginning and I hope that people give generously because you will never get better value for money than a pound spent on this.”

“I think one of my great discoveries as a vicar was that you don’t have to whip people up into a frenzy, because actually there’s loads of goodwill already there. It just takes, I think, a few people with a plan and a bit of energy, and you’ll be amazed what you can do.”

“A huge thank you from me for everyone who has supported the campaign and continues to do so.”

Rev. Coles was guest speaker at the lunch organised by Peterborough Mayor, Cllr Marco Cereste, to raise money for three of his charities over the coming year, including the Salvation Army, Anna’s Hope, and the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Booking Richard for the literary lunch in Peterborough was a coup for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital Fundraising Group who booked him months before he was even asked to be a contestant on I’m A Celebrity.

Speaking to a packed venue of 150 guests, there to listen to him talk about his latest book Murder Under The Mistletoe, Richard said: “I had no idea when I agreed to the lunch that I might also appear in the jungle. It certainly never crossed my mind that I would get so far, but it was never really a question of not attending this lunch. Peterborough is relatively local to where I grew up, it was the diocese under which I served, and so the area is a bit like home to me. And the charities this helps are so important.”

Richard’s stories had guests in stitches one minute and in tears the next as he recounted his extraordinary anecdotes and talked about his career as a vicar, his time in the Communards, the jungle, and his good fortune at finding yet another career as a successful writer and soon to be executive producer after retiring from the church now that his Canon Clement murder mystery series is being brought to TV screens in 2025.

When asked what his worst experience in the jungle was, without hesitation he replied – “the pickled herrings”, with the smell being so bad that the crew would leave the area, leaving him almost alone to deal with the stench.

As for his worst task – “It was the one where I had a glass bowl placed over my head, which was filled with creatures including cockroaches, which had a surprisingly bad smell. Despite wearing goggles, the cockroaches managed to get into my eyes, into my ears and up my nose!”

Speaking about his bestselling crime series, The Canon Clement Mysteries, Richard said: “Do you know how many vicar detectives there are in literature? Over 200! And only two of them are actually written by people who were or are vicars, and I’m one of them.”

Asked how much of his books are based on his real-life experiences as a vicar, Richard, who was a Church of England priest in Northamptonshire until his retirement in 2022, winked before replying: “Any likeness to people or places in my books is purely coincidental.”

“When I moved from being a curate in a busy West London parish, to the village of Finedon, colleagues joked that it would be all village fetes and judging vegetable competitions, but within my first week there was a murder so that showed them.”

“Being a vicar means you meet a huge range of interesting people, people open up to you about all sorts of things, and being a vicar isn’t so different to being a detective at times.”

He also revealed the decision to set his series, which features his latest mystery Murder Under The Mistletoe, in the 80s was a way to make his life easier as a writer.

“To be honest I was being lazy. Setting a story in the 80s means I didn’t need to work out how to incorporate things like social media and the internet, but also I didn’t want my detectives wings to be clipped because the killer was caught on someone’s Ring doorbell or they were let down by their own social media accounts. It made the story much more interesting, and also much easier to write.”

Richard said he hadn’t expected to remain in the jungle for as long as he did, as one of the final three – “how that happened I’ve no idea, I don’t even remember bribing anyone. I thought ‘keep going, keep going and try not to complain.’”

“I’ve only just returned from the jungle, so I’ve yet to experience too much attention as a result. I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career – a successful musician, vicar, broadcaster, I’ve written more than seven books, and now my murder mystery books are being turned into a TV series and so I find, in my retirement, now being an executive producer.”

“I’m fortunate enough to wake each day and wonder where the rainbow arc of life will take me that day. But I know from being a vicar that this isn’t the case for everyone. My parish was a deprived one, and many people had no choice – there were children who would wake up not knowing who the adults were that would be looking after them that day were. I helped to set up a charitable pre-school, through selling some land the church held, so that we could support young children with things like reading and writing.”

Of his varied career, Richard said: “I’d love to say it was a masterplan, but it really was one thing after another, I’m 62 and never had a proper job, so I’m probably a career adviser’s worst example. They haven’t all been successful either. The ones people know about are the ones that succeeded, but I’ve had my fair share of failures.”

*** Photos courtesy of David Lowndes

A Norfolk village whose residents hit the headlines with their naked calendar for charity finish their year of fundraising with a fun speed dating event

Posted on by Danni Smith

A Norfolk village whose residents have just made national news with photos of their naked calendar for charity are finishing their year of fundraising with a shout out for more singletons to join their final event later this month – speed dating. 

The Denton Dreamboys hit the headlines after producing their naked calendar to raise money for both Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and the Royal Papworth Charity. 

The village of Denton has been praised as ‘one of a kind’ by Paul White, ACT’s Director of Communications and Impact, after all the extraordinary efforts involving the entire village with fundraising events throughout this year.

Events have included Easter Bingo; a Tractor Run; Party on the Meadow; Walking Football; and a Plough Day, where 45 tractors from neighbouring villages drove to Hardwick Airfield before returning to Denton to plough five fields in the village. 

Organisers Paul and Karen Wilby organised a year of events after Paul’s son, Ben, was given a lifesaving operation at Papworth Hospital for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension caused by blood clots on his lungs.  

The village decided to raise money for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust – the official charity for Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie – as well as Papworth because so many of the villagers have been treated there. 

Culminating with another fun-themed event, their final speed dating evening will take place at the local village hall on Saturday 14th December. 

Karen, pictured below with husband Paul, has put a shout-out for more people to sign up saying: “It’s not just about romance. It’s about friendship too and making new friends and perhaps making old friends again. It’s about linking up with people who live locally that you might have forgotten about.” 

“At the moment we have a lot of mature ladies in their 60s and a couple of gents in their 60s and one man coming up for the night who is in his 30s so we’re putting a call out for as many people as would like to come. Everyone’s welcome. Anyone over 30 but we want lots of people of all ages.” 

She said whilst the event isn’t just about romance – she joked: “It’s about friendship but hopefully more but it would be nice to have everyone coupled up for Christmas! There will be a sprig of mistletoe hanging up in the hall so that they can have a good old snog on the way out!” 

Tickets cost ÂŁ5. To sign up, contact Karen at: rdove@talk21.com  

Since launching their calendar last month, Paul has received hundreds of messages of support from people wanting to buy the calendar to support Addenbrooke’s and Papworth after they or their relatives were treated there. He even received an order from as far afield as Holland, from an 87-year-old lady who wrote: “We may have lost our faculties, but we haven’t lost our sense of humour!” 

Calendar sales on eBay alone have reached ÂŁ3,500 so far with more funds due in from shops.  

Paul said life had gone a little crazy since the calendar launch last month, adding that since appearing on ITV Anglia, BBC Look East and featuring on BBC Breakfast, Denton Dream Boys have also been approached by This Morning’s production team, to appear on national TV later this month. 

For anyone still wanting to get hold of one of the now-famous Denton Dream Boys calendar, they can order it here for ÂŁ15 including P&P.

To view the ITV Anglia film on the Denton Dream Boys click here, but only if you are prepared to see a few bare bottoms!

An entire village in Norfolk fundraising for Addenbrooke’s described as ‘one of a kind’

Posted on by Danni Smith

An entire village whose residents have thrown themselves into a year’s worth of fundraising for Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been praised for being ‘one of a kind.’ 

Paul Wilby, from Denton in Norfolk, launched his fundraising appeal in January to raise money for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, via Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), as well as Papworth Hospital, after his son became ill with an undiagnosed condition. 

Ben, 34, had been suffering with severe breathlessness for about three years, and had to stop a couple of times to catch his breath every time he climbed a flight of stairs. However, after being encouraged by a paramedic, who had been called out to his home, to keep investigating his condition, Ben was found to have something called Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension caused by blood clots on his lungs. 

He underwent a lifesaving procedure known as a Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty at Papworth Hospital where a balloon was used to push scar tissue to one side, allowing the blood to flow properly again, which returned Ben’s breathing to normal. 

Since starting their fundraising earlier this year, the villagers of Denton have raised just shy of ÂŁ2,000 with events including Easter Bingo; a Tractor Run; Party on the Meadow; Walking Football; and a Plough Day, where 45 tractors from neighbouring villages drove to Hardwick Airfield before returning to Denton to plough five fields in the village. 

Paul White, Director of Communications and Impact at ACT, said: “In all the 20 years I have been working in the charity sector, I don’t think I have ever heard of a whole village mucking in and fundraising like this. It’s only a small village but for everyone to get involved in this way is amazing. Denton really is one of a kind.” 

Fundraiser Paul, a builder who also runs a self-catering accommodation at his home in the village, has lived in Denton for eight years, and said: “It’s like going back 50 years here. Everyone helps everyone else out. If you want or need anything, someone in the village will help. It is a proper community.” 

His wife, Karen, who has lived in the village for nearly 30 years, said: “Literally everybody in the village has been involved with fundraising. Everyone. Everyone comes along and supports things and will chuck money in a pot and if they can’t come, they’ll come and see us and say, ‘sorry we can’t make it but here’s ÂŁ20.’ So if they’re not involved in volunteering, they’re involved by supporting it, giving money or donating raffle prizes. But that’s the type of place Denton is. People keep an eye on each other which is how it should be.” 

The village, which has a population of 326, runs a monthly dinner night and lunch club for residents and also opens up its village hall every Friday night as a social club.  

However, Paul’s latest fundraising venture could cause a few blushes outside the village – with the production of their very own Full Monty-style calendar, where fifteen of the local male residents volunteered to pose naked, with strategically placed items protecting their dignity, all for charity. 

Paul said the recruits came via the village’s Google Group Chat – with photos from the calendar revealed at a special gala night in the village on November 2nd.

He said the calendar doesn’t come with a warning on the front – only with a note at the back to say ‘no Dream Boys or animals were injured during the filming of this calendar’ – but Paul says the front cover ‘gives you a gist of what to expect inside.’ 

Willing contributors include March’s ‘Naked Gardener’ whose dignity is protected by a pitchfork; April’s ‘Rocking Ricky’ who climbed a hay bale to pose naked with a guitar; and Paul himself, who despite being married to Karen, features as July’s ‘Hilary’s Hunk’. 

Explaining the name, Paul said it relates to one of the more memorable moments from the photo shoots.  

“It was my job on all the photo shoots to stand guard to prevent any embarrassing moments with the public walking into a field where we were taking photos. But on my photo shoot, this lady walked into the field to tell us our donkeys had escaped and saw me naked. Luckily she was a retired nurse so had seen it all before, but literally the only thing I was holding in my hand was a chicken so we decided to call my photo Hilary’s Hunk after her.” 

Paul’s wife, Karen, also features on the back of the calendar fully dressed but rounding up the chickens and sheep for Paul’s photo. “But as you know, that doesn’t really work with animals, so we had quite a few laughs doing the shoot,” Paul said. 

All the photos were taken by village resident Mark Richards, a retired Daily Mail photographer who moved to the village three years ago.  

“Everyone in Denton has welcomed us with open arms,” Mark said, adding: “As for the calendar, it has been an absolute ball. I’ve seen more naked men in the last six months than I have my entire life and there were no shrinking violets!”

Asked if the calendar was a reflection of how much fun Denton was as a village, Paul’s wife Karen said: “Life in Denton is as close to the Vicar of Dibley as you can get. They’re all nutcases here, every one of them!” 

Apart from the bloopers on the back of the calendar, other humorous touches include a photo of one of the oldest residents who at 82 volunteered a little late, so was put in  stocks, with the caption – ‘This is what happens when you don’t get your pants off!” 

Paul hopes to boost the fundraising tally with ticket sales from the gala night – which was sold out – along with sales of the calendar. His son, Ben, did a talk on the night before the big reveal when all the residents got to see the calendar for the first time.

Fundraising will finish with Christmas Bingo in December and a fundraising raffle for ACT at a speed dating event in the village the same month. 

Asked what’s next, Paul replied: “The girls are talking about doing a calendar next year along the lines of what we’ve done, but who knows.” 

Five hundred copies of the Denton Dream Boys calendar have been printed off, with 143 pre-orders already. Copies of the now-famous calendar (as featured on ITV and BBC Breakfast) cost ÂŁ15 on ebay and can be ordered here.

Paul’s Just Giving Page can be found here: . Crowdfunding to donate to Addenbrookes and Papworth Hospital on JustGiving.

Former cancer patient whose pioneering immunotherapy treatment rid his body of the disease urges others to never give up hope

Posted on by Danni Smith

David Bateson, from Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2019. The father-of-three, from Ampthill, had an operation to remove the lesion, followed by a skin graft. The cancer returned the following year and David needed to have surgery to remove his lymph nodes from his neck, followed by radiotherapy. David was then put on a course of immunotherapy as a preventative measure, but it was on his birthday in 2021, two years later, that he received the news that his cancer had returned, it was Stage 4 and had spread to his liver, lungs and spine. 

“I just thought, it’s Stage 4 and it’s spread to all those organs. I’m done.” 

David’s consultant, Dr Pippa Corrie, a consultant medical oncologist at Addenbrooke’s, prescribed David a new course of immunotherapy treatment, combining two drugs to kick-start his immune system and after two years of the pioneering treatment, David was given the news in January of this year that there was no trace of cancer in his body. 

David said: “I went from believing I was going to die to being told there was no trace of cancer in my body and there was only a 2% chance of it returning. I just feel incredibly lucky and I appreciate life so much. I have a second go at this and it’s just amazing.” 

“The chances are I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for people at the hospital researching and developing new drugs to fight cancer.” 

Research is key at Addenbrooke’s and the wider Cambridge Biomedical Campus. With technical advances in genome sequencing, AI and immunotherapy, patients are experiencing new hope through personalised cancer treatments. This integrated approach will help fast track cancer innovations and will mean patients from not just across the region, but the whole country, can directly benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.

David is now a member of the hospital’s Patient Advisory Group (PAG), a group of current and former patients using their lived experience to help design and shape the best care to meet everyone’s needs. 

Knowing how lucky he is to be here now, David has this message for other cancer patients. “Don’t ever give up hope. Someone, somewhere, is testing something that could help you. Don’t underestimate the power of medical science and what drugs can do for you.” 

Dr Pippa Corrie, Consultant Medical Oncologist

Dr Corrie, who specialises in melanoma and pancreaticobiliary cancers, said: “Immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are really revolutionary in that before 10/15 years ago, people like David really had very little options in terms of treatment and unfortunately very poor outcomes. Now we can offer them effective immunotherapy which can potentially improve their life expectancy and actually cure some people and that’s really a major step change in how we manage patients with melanoma and now we are doing the same by using these drugs to treat other types of cancer as well.” 

David decided to start fundraising for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust as soon as he started his immunotherapy treatment, giving himself the goal of raising ÂŁ500 for further investment into this groundbreaking medical technology. He has since exceeded his goal, going on to raise a staggering ÂŁ50,000.  

David’s ÂŁ50,000 fundraising tally was reached with a charity football match and a silent raffle and auction. The football match saw Ampthill Town Football Club battle it out against Luton Town Football Club under 21s (which David’s son Jack plays for). Former England goalkeeper David James made a special appearance on the day. 

Earlier this year, Luton Town’s Mick Harford presented David with a giant cheque for £50,000, made out to ACT, at the City’s Premier League match against Fulham FC, which saw the club relegated after losing 4-2.  

“He’s a bit of a legend for someone my age. It was a hell of a surprise, such a lovely thing to do.” 

Describing what it was like to be told he had Stage 4 cancer that had spread to his major organs, David said: “I was just walking round punch-drunk, like I wasn’t really there.” 

The hardest thing was worrying about what would happen to his family – his wife, Lisa, a community nurse, and their children, George, 22; Jack, 19, and Grace, 17. 

“Having kids is the best feeling in the world. When they are born, the feeling you have is unbelievable. I didn’t want to not be there for them, I kept thinking about all the things I would miss. Things like walking Grace down the aisle.” 

But he said despite how he was feeling, his strategy was to try and ‘normalise’ cancer whenever he was at home. “I just tried to normalise it. That was my strategy. During the time I’ve had cancer, the kids have done their A levels, GCSEs, driving tests, got girlfriends, boyfriends, and I like to think that this cancer hasn’t completely ruined their young lives. And that’s a credit to me and Lisa. How we have set the tone and dealt with it.” 

Despite David’s amazing news in January, Lisa said the emotional scars are still there and said, even now, she finds herself reluctant to celebrate.  

“Even now, with David being told he only has a 2% chance of his cancer returning, I still feel scared to celebrate. We have had so many different celebrations where we have been given good news, I am more sceptical now. I think it’s just a way of protecting myself.” 

For David though – “this time feels different” – and having been given the good news back in January, he is keen to continue fundraising for the hospital.

“I really think in 20 years’ time we will be saying, ‘remember when cancer used to kill us.’ It is all about changing the story of cancer.” 

Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, courtesy of NBBJ

To find out more about fundraising to support cancer services at Addenbrooke’s, please click here. 

Read more of David’s story and watch his story below.

Use of virtual reality sees big reduction in pain and anxiety levels in palliative patients at Addenbrooke’s

Posted on by Danni Smith

A project looking at the use of Virtual Reality headsets to help relieve anxiety and pain in patients being cared for by the palliative care team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital has revealed some impressive results. 

The project involves patients choosing a nature-themed video from a library of different experiences. Patients are asked to score their pain and anxiety levels before putting on a VR headset and watching a short nature video with audio and music. They then re-rate their score levels for both pain and anxiety immediately after watching the video. 

Images courtesy of Rescape Innovation Ltd

In the first stage of the project, which saw 28 patients take part, results showed a staggering 28.6% reduction in pain levels, followed by a 40.3% reduction in anxiety levels. 

Supporters of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) funded the lease of the DR VR headset from Rescape Innovation for two years so that the palliative team could look at the impact of virtual reality on their patients. However, a delay during COVID means the project has now been extended into its third year.  

Nancy Burridge, Clinical Nurse Specialist with Dr Ben Clark, Speciality Lead, Palliative Team, Addenbrooke’s

The virtual reality project was spearheaded by Nancy Burridge (L), Clinical Nurse Specialist from Addenbrooke’s Palliative Team, who wanted to investigate the use of virtual reality headsets and their benefits to palliative care patients as part of a Masters module she was studying. 

“For us in palliative care there are other ways in which we can help patients relieve their symptoms, but virtual reality is really helpful and can make patients feel much happier. It reduces their pain, reduces their anxiety and there is no downside to it, so it is just a win-win for us. And for us as therapists as well, to be able to offer something that gives patients that level of comfort so easily is just really nice.” 

“I think patients just love the relief of being able to escape for a short time from their environment, from their treatments, from everything and it allows them to relax. I think that’s the beauty of virtual reality that it is so absolutely immersive. You put on the headphones, you show them the goggles and they are completely unaware of everything else that’s going on around them. They are on that beach, they are in Paris, whatever they are doing they are there.” 

Gemma James-Smith, VR Partnerships and Research Consultant at Rescape Innovation Ltd, the company that leases the headset to healthcare facilities, said: “The research behind it demonstrated that nature exposure in VR is very restorative for our mental wellbeing and it can reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood. Nature exposure in VR does bring some of those benefits even though some of the other stimuli, like smell, are not there – but you still get the visuals and audio effects.”  

“Some people choose the beach, that is a very popular one. A lot of people will be drawn to the alpine experience but we even have experiences set in the desert and in space too, so our library of experiences for patients is quite eclectic.” 

Images courtesy of Rescape Innovation Ltd

“It’s very typical to see reductions in both anxiety and pain levels. But it’s great. Anything that can bring a better quality of life to end of life patients is fantastic and very typical of what we see across the board.” 

She said virtual reality headsets were used in a variety of healthcare settings and that it could be used on wards, during procedures and in an outpatient setting, across a variety of medical areas – including everything from oncology, haematology and palliative care to neurology and gynaecology.

Results from the VR evaluation project saw Nancy present her findings at the Palliative Care Congress last year and the summary of her findings won the Marlow Prize – giving her and her team the chance to write a report of their findings in the British Medical Journal of Supportive and Palliative Care. 

Nancy and her team say the use of virtual reality headsets will continue at Addenbrooke’s, benefiting many more patients, thanks to a generous gift left by past patient Jo Brooks.

Jo left a donation to support the ongoing use of VR at Addenbrooke’s having experienced it herself. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, Jo’s cancer returned in 2018, spreading to her left rib, with tumours on her hip, pelvis and lymph nodes. She was admitted to Addenbrooke’s at the end of 2019 after having trouble breathing and stayed in for three months. It was during this time she was given the use of the VR headset to help relieve some of her anxiety. 

Jo’s husband Matt said: “It really helped to lift her spirits, at a very low point.” 

Jo’s mum, Teresa Davy, said: “After two and a half months in hospital, her lungs were still filling up with fluid. She was sitting in bed one day, a heap of misery, and Emma, one of the palliative care nurses came in with VR headset and said, ‘I don’t know if you would be interested in this Jo but you just might like to see what it is like.’ Jo put the glasses on and the headphones and suddenly the whole mood lightened. It was the underwater experience and Jo loved water.” 

“We couldn’t see what she was seeing but all you could hear was ‘ooh look at that! And these squeals of excitement. I don’t know how long she had it for but the impression left on her was enormous. It lifted her mood and made such a difference. It was amazing because it took her out of herself. I wouldn’t like to say it reduced her pain but it certainly reduced her anxiety because it took her into another world.” 

Jo was told she had a brain tumour two years ago which was when she asked her family to make a donation to buy a VR headset for the palliative team. Sadly, Jo passed away a few months later which was when Teresa and Matt worked with the palliative care team to make sure Jo’s generous ÂŁ7,000 donation could be used to extend the benefits of the VR headset to many more patients, 

Nancy added: “We are extremely grateful to Jo’s family for buying the headset but also to ACT and its supporters for funding the lease of a VR headset to get the project started.” 

“I feel that there is a lot more work to be done with virtual reality because I have seen it have such positive effects. One of the things we are looking at now is whether it helps patients with symptoms of breathlessness because what we have noticed from our observations of watching people using the experiences is that we see a slowing in their breathing so this seems like a really good next step. We have discussed it with a team that we work alongside called the Breathless Intervention Service so that is where we are hoping to go next.” 

Courtesy of Rescape Innovation Ltd

Click here to help fund more innovative projects like the virtual reality headsets.

New outdoor facilities for prosthetics and orthotics patients thanks to ACT supporters

Posted on by Danni Smith

The Cambridge Prosthetic and Orthotic Service transferred from clinic nine in Addenbrooke’s  Hospital to its newly-converted base in Great Shelford with new facilities and high-tech equipment ensuring that the time it takes to see a patient, design and fit a new limb or orthotic has been cut dramatically. 

For the first time ever, prosthetics are being made in an on-site workshop, instead of having to be sent away to be manufactured. In addition to this, another first for the centre is a multi-thousand-pound, outdoor terrain area funded by ACT and its supporters. 

The new area, which includes smooth surfaces, slopes, cobbles, grass, stones as well as the knobbly textures found underfoot at pedestrian crossings allows amputees to trial new limbs on more realistic surfaces. 

Previously to this, patients were only able to test out new limbs within hospital corridors or navigate busy, outside areas. Now, however, the new outdoor facility allows prosthetic patients to test drive their new limb and build their confidence in a more realistic setting. 

ACT’s Chief Executive Shelly Thake said: “We would like to thank our supporters who have contributed to these wonderful new facilities in Great Shelford. We were particularly pleased to assist with the all-terrain facility which will be extremely useful in assessing the suitability of the prosthetics made for patients.” 

In addition to the multi-terrain area, ACT supporters also funded the decoration of the children’s area which features fun, animated designs of animals and sea life from around the world – each sporting a prosthetic limb. Images include a crab with scissors as a pincher and a donkey with a fly swat attached to its tail to swat away the flies.  

In addition to the on-site workshop, the extra space at the centre has allowed for a larger movement or ‘gait’ room which uses motion cameras, gait plates and giant TV screens to recreate 3D reconstructions of a patient’s walk – which can then be analysed by a physiotherapist to help work out how a patient is walking and how their prosthetic can be adapted to improve functionality. 

ACT was also instrumental in funding half of the camera system within the gait room which Clinical Scientist Dr Thomas Stone jokingly likened to a Hollywood film studio. 

Praising ACT supporters for their donation to buy the cameras several years ago, Dr Stone said that by having this high-tech camera system, which creates 3D reconstructions, it allows quicker analysis of where improvements need to be made. 

“Our job is to distill a vast amount of information into a clinical report very quickly. A clinician in a clinical setting has 15 minutes to see a patient. Sometimes to try and work out why something isn’t working the way it should be can be very, very hard if you are doing it live. With our cameras, we can take it offline and clinicians can watch a video back and slow it right down to really analyse a patient’s gait. To be able to pick up the 20, 30, or 40 things it could be if something is not working is very hard so we can make it a lot easier for them.” 

In addition to the high-tech equipment in the gait room, physios now use a quicker form of cast called an eCAST which sets within about 20 minutes and doesn’t require setting overnight like the old plaster cast version. New phone technology also allows them to scan patient limbs to quickly build a design for a new orthotic or prosthetic limb.  

Where patients with scoliosis previously had to undergo general anaesthetic in order to be fitted with a cast, the new phone scanner designs the cast in under a minute – greatly reducing costs as well as patient appointment times.   

The centre, opened by mobility specialist Opcare Ltd on behalf of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is run by more than 30 staff including consultants, allied health professionals and clinical scientists. 

They will assist more than 3,300 patients a year of all ages from across the region, including war veterans. 

The official opening of the centre welcomed organizations from across the amputee community, including the Limbless Association, which links amputees with peers. National Outreach Manager, Clifton Henry, said: “This amazing centre shows the work that is happening within the clinical environment but as an amputee the challenge is in the communities and it is the support beyond the clinical setting that is so important. You can’t beat the power of peer support.” 

Kiera trying out the new gravel surface

Also present at the official opening was Steel Bones, an amputee charity for civilians. Mum Rachel attended with her daughter, Kiera, 14, who was born with a childhood condition which led to her foot being amputated as a baby.  

Testing out the slopes and different surfaces for the first time, Keira added: “It’s absolutely great. I remember one time outside Addenbrooke’s I nearly tripped over a brick that was lying on the floor outside but to have this dedicated outdoor space here makes it much nicer.” 

A personal touch within the centre includes some glass mirrors designed with specially adapted images of patients with prosthetics. Cambridge-based company Go Glass, who specialize in glass decoration and architectural glass, donated the mirrors after the experience of Managing Director Tracy Saunders, who lost a leg many years ago. 

Her brother, Design Director Clive Sparkes, said: “When my sister first lost her leg years ago there weren’t any mirrors in the gyms and she just wanted to see her leg, which is why we wanted to donate the mirrors to this amazing new centre.” 

The designs have been adapted for the different areas within the centre. Mirrors in the prosthetic rooms show a person performing a cartwheel and wearing a prosthetic, whilst in the orthotics area, the person performing the cartwheel is seen wearing an orthotic. The design in the paediatric gym, however, is of a superhero wearing a prosthetic leg, with changeable LED lights to help calm young patients in what can be a stressful situation. 

If you would like to donate to ACT to make our hospitals even better, by providing high-tech equipment like that at the new Prosthetic and Orthotics Centre or by funding research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide, please click here.

Congratulations! Two of our fundraisers nominated for this year’s prestigious Pride of Britain Awards

Posted on by Danni Smith

A HUGE thank you and congratulations to two of our fundraisers who featured in a TV special as nominees for this year’s prestigious Pride of Britain Awards.

David Bateson, pictured here with medical oncology consultant Dr Brent O’Carrigan, and Joyce Cripps, pictured with transplant surgeon Andrew Butler, being filmed in the background, have fundraised tirelessly for Addenbrooke’s through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, whose supporters raise funds to help make the hospitals even better by funding cutting-edge research, innovations and high-tech equipment, above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.

Both were shortlisted for ITV Anglia’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year and although they weren’t selected to go through to the finals of Pride of Britain Awards later this year, we are incredibly proud of both of them for all their hard work and for sharing their personal stories to a wider audience.

David Bateson – who has raised £50,000 for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust after being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital for cancer – shared his story on the ITV Anglia special.

The father of three, from Ampthill in Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2019. David’s cancer returned twice but after surgery and treatment, followed by pioneering immunotherapy, David was given the news in January of this year that there was no trace of cancer left in his body.

Since his news, David has worked tirelessly to raise money for cancer services by fundraising for ACT and has raised a staggering ÂŁ50,000 which will go to melanoma research and the ÂŁ14 million public appeal to build the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus by 2029.

Explaining why he felt the need to continue fundraising for cancer research, David said: “The chances are I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for people researching and developing new drugs to fight cancer and I think the new cancer hospital planned for Cambridge is going to take that to another level.”

“For people going through cancer, my message would be, never give up hope. There is always hope and it is amazing what is being developed in terms of new cancer treatments.”

Joyce Cripps, our fundraiser from Bishop’s Stortford in East Hertfordshire, was nominated as regional fundraiser for Anglia East Region after spending over half her life fundraising for charities.

The retired carer and care manager, pictured here, started fundraising over 40 years ago after her daughter Julie’s primary school was damaged by fire. She went on to raise over £104,000 for various charities including Cancer Research, Marie Curie, The Willow Foundation which organizes special holidays for terminally ill patients and their families, local hospitals, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer.

However, it was after her daughter Julie underwent a lifesaving liver transplant at Addenbrooke’s six years ago that Joyce pledged to dedicate all her fundraising to liver transplant research by raising money for ACT.

Joyce’s fundraising total for Addenbrooke’s transplant services is set to top £25K by the end of this year which she has raised through tribute nights which she books throughout the year, organizing raffle donations and making all the room and table decorations by hand herself.

As part of her nomination, Joyce was filmed with her husband, John, and daughter Julie visiting the transplant unit to meet Andrew Butler, the surgeon who performed Julie’s lifesaving transplant.

Some of Joyce’s money has already been used to refurbish two staff and patient rooms in the unit as well as fund a single use of the Liver Perfusion Machine, pictured above, which ACT supporters raised £250,000 to buy. As part of filming for the special, Joyce and her family got to see the machine – which mimics the body to ensure a liver’s functionality before transplant and allows surgeons to ‘test drive’ livers for suitability before transplanting them.

“As a family, words are not enough to express our gratitude to that wonderful team who saved Julie’s life. Realizing the difference my fundraising has made to other patients’ lives means this tireless work will continue to my days’ end!” Joyce said.

“I have agreed to ongoing monies raised be used for transplant research thus enabling many more lives being saved.  Had it not been for past research Julie’s story would have been very different.”

As well as David and Joyce, another one of our fundraisers featured on the ITV Anglia special. Pig farmer Nathan Lister, from Redgrave, drove the length of Britain in a bright pink Citroen Picasso – referred to as his ‘Pigasso’ after he transformed it into a fundraising pig, complete with snout, tail, ears and eye lashes.

Nathan was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma at 22 and underwent 12 intense rounds of chemotherapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Now in remission, Nathan and his friends drove from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall, raising more than ÂŁ12,000 for Addenbrooke’s Hospital through ACT and Cancer Research UK, who were interviewed on the show.

Congratulating David and Joyce, who were both nominated for their fundraising for ACT, our charity’s Chief Executive Shelly Thake said:

“We are extremely proud of all our fundraisers. Each and every one of them put in hours and hours of their own time to help make our hospitals even better. In David and Joyce’s case, both have worked tirelessly to raise funds that will go into research to benefit future patients.

“Both took it upon themselves to fundraise for our hospitals at what was a very stressful time in their life – David, when he was still undergoing immunotherapy treatment and Joyce, whilst her daughter was still recovering from a major, lifesaving operation. Not only that, but they continue to fundraise as well as share some of the more private and challenging moments of their life in order to help raise awareness and support others going through a difficult time themselves.”

“Whilst they didn’t get through to the Pride of Britain finals later this year, they did incredibly well to be nominated for ITV Anglia’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year. They should be incredibly proud of all the awareness and hard work they put into their fundraising so we would like to extend a huge congratulations to both of them and thank them for everything they do on behalf of ACT.”