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

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.

ACT calls on runners in 2025 TTP Cambridge Half Marathon to run for new specialist cancer hospital

A leading hospital charity is calling on runners in the 2025 TTP Cambridge Half Marathon to join forces to boost its multi-million pound campaign to see a new world-class cancer hospital built in the city by 2029.

The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) is to be built on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and will be the first specialist cancer hospital for the East of England. It will bring together clinical and research expertise under one roof – allowing clinicians to detect cancer earlier, treat it more precisely and save more lives.

As the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has launched two major capital campaigns to build two ‘firsts’ for the region – the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Money raised by ACT supporters in the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon 2025 will help boost the charity’s £14 million public appeal to help build the new specialist cancer hospital, whose pioneering research is expected to have a far-reaching impact not just regionally, but nationally and globally too.

“We would love anyone who secures a ballot place in next year’s TTP Cambridge Half Marathon to choose ACT as their official charity. By doing so they will play a pivotal role in raising funds to help build what will be an amazing, world-leading cancer specialist hospital, the first of its kind in the Eastern region,” said Rebecca Beattie, Community Fundraising Manager at ACT. “So, calling all runners – come and join #TeamAddenbrookes!”

Places for next year’s half marathon on Sunday 9 March go live on the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon website on Friday 23 August, and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

However, if you haven’t secured a TTP Cambridge Half Marathon place, ACT has a number of charity places available for next year’s half marathon, with 2025 seeing the highest number of entries to date, rising from 4 in 2022 to 150 in 2025.
Register for your charity place now.

“It really is an amazing event to be part of and for all our runners to be raising money for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital really does make the atmosphere on the day very special,” Rebecca said.

Any runners who are lucky enough to secure their own place in the half marathon can join #TeamAddenbrookes by contacting ACT at: fundraising@act4addenbrookes.org.uk. Entrants will receive the same support package as ACT’s own charity runners. 

Ella Hamilton, from TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, said: “We are looking forward to entries becoming available for next year’s event, we predict this to be our fastest sell out yet! We are pleased to be supporting such an amazing array of charities, including Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust which has launched the public appeal for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. The local community is really supportive of the half marathon so there’s always a really great atmosphere on the day – not just for runners but spectators too.’

Ilse Patterson, Lead R&D MR Radiographer at Addenbrooke’s

The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon starts at Jesus Green in the centre of Cambridge. It then takes runners to the outskirts of Cambridge along some of the busiest roads which will be closed on the day of the race. Runners then pass over the river, through Kings College, Queens College and past Corpus Christi College before entering the beautiful village of Grantchester. In the final leg, runners will be taken through the stunning grounds of Jesus College before finishing back at Jesus Green with an electric welcome from spectators at what is always a popular event in the city’s calendar.

Ilse Patterson, Lead R&D MR Radiographer at Addenbrooke’s (pictured right), said she will be entering for the second time next year. “I decided to attempt the Cambridge Half Marathon in 2024 and absolutely loved it first time around so have decided to enter again for 2025 and run to make a difference – so have chosen to run for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. ACT really impacts not just on our patients across Addenbrooke’s, but also staff members too and as an employee of the hospital this makes a huge difference. I am patiently waiting for entries to open so I can apply again for next year!”

One year on – and over 500 patients have benefitted from YOUR donations to a ÂŁ1.5 million appeal to buy a new surgical robot for Addenbrooke’s

A year after our amazing ACT supporters raised a staggering ÂŁ1.5 million to buy a new surgical robot for Addenbrooke’s we can reveal just how much impact the robot has had across a wide range of specialities. 

Addenbrooke’s three surgical robots have helped specialists carry out nearly 540 lifesaving or life-altering operations in the last 12 months. 

Importantly, the robots enabled patients to recover faster from surgery, and allowed them to go home in hours or days – rather than weeks. 

They have helped with a wide range of conditions, cut waiting lists and fuelled ambitions for a fourth robot, which would make Addenbrooke’s one of the leading surgical centres in the UK. 

The success was outlined today (5 July) – a year to the day after the Trust’s second robot was unveiled following a ÂŁ1.5m fundraising campaign by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT).  

ACT CEO, Shelly Thake, said: “It is important that all those who worked so hard to raise so much money are aware of just how impactful the robots have been for patients over the last 12 months. Once again, we want to thank them for their incredible support, this would not have been possible without them.” 

The da Vinci Xi dual console surgical system has revolutionised patient care and surgical training across six specialties – urology, gynae-oncology, gynaecology, colorectal, ENT (ear, nose and throat) and HPB (Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary – diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tree). 
 

Chair of CUH Robotic Surgery Steering Group (RUG), Mr Siong-Seng Liau, said: “It has been an incredible 12 months during which we have treated hundreds of patients for a multitude of different conditions using techniques that often allow them to go home more quickly, freeing up beds for other patients who urgently need them. 

“We are looking forward to the future with great confidence and, although it may be some way off, have ambitions to acquire a fourth robot and become the leading robotic surgical centre in the UK.” 

Consultant Colorectal and Robotic Surgeon, Dr Michael Powar, said: “The robotic platform that ACT supporters fundraised for offers enhanced precision, improved visualisation and greater dexterity when we perform surgery. We are seeing this translate to better patient outcomes with more patients having less invasive procedures, reduced pain and quicker recovery after surgery.” 

The unveiling at Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre was memorable as the robot cut its own ribbon in front of guests, coinciding with a host of other celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS. 

In addition to the ÂŁ1.5 million raised by ACT supporters, we were able to use a legacy that had been left to the charity to purchase a dual console for the da Vinci Xi dual surgical system, allowing surgical trainees to gain hands-on experience of robotic-assisted surgery alongside an experienced surgeon. The legacy brought the total raised by ACT supporters overall to ÂŁ2,022,270. We would like to thank those who generously supported the robot appeal over the last two years, in particular the Mark Benevolent Fund and the ALBORADA Trust. 

Our fund-raising campaign was so successful it enabled the hospital to lease a third CMR Surgical Versius robot, allowing surgical teams to add further upper gastrointestinal, benign gynaecological and colorectal specialities to the service. 

The two systems compliment Addenbrooke’s first robot, a Da Vinci Si, which was introduced over a decade ago to treat kidney, bladder, and prostate patients and was later upgraded to a Da Vinci Xi. 

The appeal ran over two years with support from the Cambridge Independent and many groups and individuals, including Addenbrooke’s surgeon, Atanu Pal, who took part in the virtual London Marathon in 2021, running a route that spelled out the word ROBOT. 
 
The Cambridgeshire Vintage Tractor Club also rallied more than 100 tractors to drive through South Cambridgeshire villages, and Frances Dewhurst challenged herself to walk up her stairs ten times a day for 100 days, in memory of her late sisters, Hilary and Charlotte.  

To find out more about fundraising for ACT, click here.

10-strong security team from Addenbrooke’s raise nearly ÂŁ6,000 in charity skydive

Martyn Grass, who organised the skydive over Beccles Airfield with his colleague Mark, described the jump as “absolutely amazing,” adding: “It was so fast! We covered a mile and a half in ten seconds! The adrenaline when you land is like nothing you have felt before. We were literally all hugging at the end of it. Only one of the team was a bit off colour when they landed but all the security team were great.”

Martyn and his colleagues, who provide security across the whole of the Addenbrooke’s site, including the Accident and Emergency Department, completed the ACT challenge to raise money for young people suffering with mental health issues.

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, and money raised by our supporters 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.

Explaining why he wanted young people’s mental health to be the focus of their fundraising, Martyn said: “Working at the hospital is quite challenging for all the security officers dealing with paediatric mental health issues. Sometimes we have to deal with people trying to abscond, so it was important for us to try and raise money for young people with mental health issues to show our support.”

“When it comes to mental health, my saying is never look back. Always look forward. In mental health, each individual has a lot of stairs in front of them and it might be 5 to 10, or 10 to a 100, but every step will eventually get them to the top and they’ll be all right.”

Martyn was awarded a You Made a Difference Award by the hospital earlier this year praising him for the passion he puts into his work, saying: “Martyn is passionate about his role and giving the best service to patients, staff and visitors.”

The security officer, from Shepreth, was nominated for the award by a young woman who was admitted to A&E overnight in a distressed state.

“She was with a family member at the time who was very concerned about her. I sat down with her and chatted to her about her mental health and she wrote into the hospital thanking me for taking the time to speak to her. Apparently she is doing really well now.”

Apart from the skydive, Martyn’s JustGiving page – currently standing at ÂŁ5,938 – is still being boosted by donations. He has organised a Prom Night Raffle for Year 11 pupils at a local secondary schools to win a ride to their prom in one of four prestige cars provided by Wallis and Son cars in Barton and A.G Motors in Papworth.

ACT’s Head of Fundraising, Donna Lee-Willis, said: “We are delighted that Martyn and his colleagues have been able to have fun while at the same time raising such an amazing amount of money for ACT that will benefit patients and staff across Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie.”

Our charity has organised an exciting selection of fundraising challenges for anyone who would like to raise funds for the hospital. Find out more here. Alternatively, supporters can organise their own events.

Click here to donate to Martyn’s JustGiving page.