Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust Logo
Close
Menu

Tag: fundraising

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!

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

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Caring staff at a firm in Ely who have been planning their Annual Christmas Ball for a year look set to donate a present for every patient in hospital over the Christmas period at both Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie.

James Stevens and his staff at Cambridge Commodities picked Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) – the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie – as their official charity partner seven years ago. Since then they have been busy fundraising for the two hospitals throughout the year.

The firm’s Annual Christmas Ball focuses on giving back at Christmas – with proceeds from this month’s event raising money to buy a Christmas present for every patient who will be in hospital over the festive season. James and his team are also buying boxes of chocolates for staff to share on the day too.

“One of the most special times in the year is Christmas,” James said. “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. These gifts are wrapped by Team Cambridge Commodities and delivered to the hospital. Waking up at Christmas is made special knowing we might have brought a smile to patients’ faces.”

ACT’s Chief Executive, Shelly Thake, said: “Christmas can be a really special time of year for families, friends and loved ones to spend quality time together. But we are very aware that isn’t always the case for a lot of people.”

“For patients who sadly find themselves in hospital over Christmas it can be a very difficult time not just because they are unwell but also because they are away from home and their loved ones. The amazing hospital staff do everything they can to care for them, but most people just want to be at home at Christmas. That is why we are incredibly grateful to Cambridge Commodities and all their staff for their fundraising efforts to bring Christmas to the hospital.”

“Each year they raise enough money to buy and wrap a present for every single patient staying in Addenbrooke’s over Christmas. All their planning, hard work and kindness really does put a smile on the faces of both patients and staff.”

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

James said one of the reasons his staff picked ACT as their charity partner was because of the impact Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie have had on so many of their own lives.

Since they started wrapping and buying presents for the hospitals three years ago, staff have already experienced the direct impact of their kindness, including Emily, whose daughter Ayda was born in the Rosie just after Christmas.

Emily, the firm’s EU Account Manager, had helped wrap Christmas presents to be distributed to patients on Christmas Day and had been booked to have a C-Section on New Years’ Eve. However, she went into labour early and was admitted to the Rosie on Christmas Eve, which meant she was one of the patients to receive one of the presents on Christmas Day.

“I was in hospital on Christmas Day waiting to give birth, so I received one of the presents that I had helped wrap; some hand cream and body lotion, which was a really thoughtful present.”

“Something like that just makes you feel supported and reassured that people are thinking of you and trying to make you feel better about being in hospital over Christmas, when you don’t want to be.”

Play therapist and young patient playing with Lego

Another member of staff to experience the direct impact of their fundraising efforts 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!’”

Natalie and Carly said planning for the event takes place all year round but say the results are worth it.

“Every detail is crafted with care to make sure the night is both impactful and enjoyable – from planning the beautiful dĂ©cor, arranging the entertainment and collaborating with generous sponsors. Knowing that our efforts will contribute to meaningful change and support those in need makes the whole process even more rewarding.”

However, it isn’t just charitable partners who can make a difference at Christmas – members of the public can too.

Anyone wanting to bring a little Christmas cheer to patients and staff throughout the year can log onto ACT’s online shop where they can choose to buy a virtual gift or purchase one of ACT’s specially designed Christmas cards, with all profits going towards making the hospitals even better.

Virtual gifts can buy anything from an hour of therapeutic play or a stocking filler toy for a child in hospital this Christmas, refreshments for hardworking staff or even a set of warm clothes for elderly patients.

Talking about spreading the feel-good factor beyond Christmas, ACT’s Chief Executive added: “Whilst Christmas always acts as a bit of a focus for people, their kind thoughts and donations don’t have to stop at Christmas. As a charity we have fundraising and volunteering opportunities available throughout the year – so choosing to take part is a way of spreading the Christmas cheer throughout the year if you like.”

This is a sentiment backed by James, who listed just some of the ways he and his staff have been able to get involved throughout the year.

“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.”

Donna Lee-Willis, Head of Community Fundraising at ACT, said volunteering or fundraising for a charity like ACT can bring a lot of happiness to individuals too. “We have so many amazing fundraisers – like 17-year-old Ernie (pictured right), who raised over £3,000 by doing a Skywalk for ACT to give back to staff at Addenbrooke’s, after being treated for Ewings Sarcoma himself.”

Ernie’s mum, Georgina, said Ernie, who is still receiving treatment, wanted to give back to the staff on C9 ward at Addenbrooke’s who care for him when he is hospital. “They really do go above and beyond. They stay later than they need to and help patients more than they need to and have become friends. I think he just wanted to give something back. I am extremely proud of him. He’s a one off!”

Donna added: “We have so many amazing fundraisers who raise money for the hospitals throughout the year, either through their own events or by choosing to take part in one of our specially-designed ones – which for 2025 include a charity skydive, the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon in March, the London Marathon in April and the Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival in September.”

“Beyond that though, members of the public can volunteer to help us out at one, or all, of our events throughout the year, acting as an ambassador for what is a really great organisation to be part of.”

“All our volunteers get a lot of pleasure from working with us and for us as an organisation their support is invaluable. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.”

How you can get involved

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

To buy a virtual gift for a patient at the hospital, or a specially designed Christmas card, visit ACT’s online shop.

To find out how to get involved with fundraising visit our website or email the Community Fundraising team at: fundraising@act4addenbrookes.org.uk.  

Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities at ACT

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

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.

This year’s 2024 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival raises a staggering £35k for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

This year’s 2024 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival blew fundraising expectations out of the water – with a staggering £35k raised for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH).

A total of 41 teams and over 600 competitors gathered along the riverbank at Fen Ditton for Saturday’s 18th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival – paddling 30ft Dragon Boats up the river in glorious sunshine.

As well as the races, bankside entertainment brought the crowds in – with lion dances from the Cambridge Chinese Community and family-friendly entertainment provided by sponsors, Illumina (pictured below), with fun activities such as strawberry DNA extraction, dress like a scientist with a walk-through Cambridge DNA history, face painting and flag making.

We were there too – in a tent full of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust staff and volunteers, with donations to our raffle and hook a duck all helping to boost our £14 million public appeal for the new specialist cancer hospital.

Saturday’s electric event raised £35,000 and all funds will be used in support of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH). The hospital, which will be built on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus by 2029, will bring together clinical and research expertise in a new, world-class hospital, designed in partnership with staff and patients. It will detect cancer earlier, treat it more precisely, and save more lives.

A special shout out to all the teams who competed to raise money for the new hospital – and to Cambridge 105 for supporting us on the day with live interviews and the Cambridge Independent who were taking photos on the day.

Teams travelled from outside the county to take part in Saturday’s Festival – with winners of the best dressed competition, Mosses Arc, travelling down from outside Chester to celebrate their friend Paul’s 50th birthday. Following a Noah’s Arc theme their outfits came two by two – with everything from flamingos to leopards, giant furry rats and chickens. We’re not sure how they managed to row in them – but they looked great!

Thank you also to the teams with multiple entries including TWI Ltd; Ring; AstraZeneca; Huawei Technologies; and the Railway Arms.

ACT’s Natasha Robertson, Corporate Partnerships Manager, hailed the festival a huge success and said: “It was such a fantastic day with an amazing atmosphere. It was lovely to meet all the teams and having the CCRH project team competing, as well as on their stand, meant that everyone who came – whether they were competing or coming to join in the fun – could see the direct impact they were having by helping to raise money for the new cancer hospital.

“We are absolutely delighted to have raised £35,000. It’s been our best festival yet!”

The overall winners were the Cosgrove Paddle Shifters

Lucy Morton, Executive Director from organisers NewWave Events, said: “The 2024 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival was a complete success and the whole team at NewWave Events had a fantastic day with all the crews. The fundraising efforts resulted in a record-breaking amount being raised for ACT from this event and we’re eager to build on this further for 2025! Watch this space for more information about next year, with plans already starting we have lots of ideas and hopefully, we will be bringing the dragons back to the River Cam with a sell-out event for the 20th year!’

Mark Robinson, VP and General Manager, UK and Ireland, and Northern Europe, Illumina said: “lllumina had an incredible day as sponsors of the 2024 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival to raise vital funds for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust to build a specialist cancer hospital in Cambridge. Seeing families, friends, and local businesses come together to support their teams provided an amazing atmosphere for the day and made it extra special.”

Elaine Chapman, Lead Advisory Nurse for CCRH, joined the CCRH project team in their boat and said: “We were absolutely delighted to take to the waters to raise money for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. It was my third time in a race crew and probably the best event yet!”

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support such an amazing cause which has led to an incredible £35K raised for our future facility, that is bringing world-leading research and clinical excellence together, to change the lives of cancer patients across the UK and beyond.”

“We’re involving patients and staff at every stage of our project, so it was incredibly fun and rewarding to have our patients with us racing on the River Cam for CCRH.”

ACT would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all the teams taking part on the day. We hope to see you return next year for an even bigger, better festival with funds from next year’s festival again going towards our £14 million public appeal to help build the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

Click here if you would like to donate to Cancer services at Addenbrooke’s and the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

Email our friendly fundraising team and find out what you can do to support our hospitals.

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

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

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!”

77-year-old with Parkinson’s all set to walk 120km stretch of Hadrian’s Wall to raise awareness around importance of exercise

Posted on by Danni Smith

A 77-year-old retiree, who has been living with Parkinson’s Disease for five years, has set himself the challenge of walking a 120-kilometre section of Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds for The Centre for Brain Repair at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and to raise awareness of the importance of exercise for people living with Parkinson’s – at the point of diagnosis. 

Trevor Elliott, from Norfolk, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in September 2019 and it came at a point where he was already very low, having lost his wife, Maryse, five months earlier from Leukaemia. “Losing my wife after 48 years together was like losing my legs. It was a very dark time for me.” 

It took approximately two years for Trevor to get diagnosed because he initially put his tremor down to nerve damage on his spine. “I developed a tremor in my right hand, and it got so bad I was dropping things all the time. I couldn’t even carry a cup. My wife and I would try and make a joke of it. We’d say I had a good hand for shaking sugar over strawberries.” 

After receiving his diagnosis, Trevor decided to take back control and turned to the internet for answers. “I found some videos from a US symposium and one of them was about exercise and how it allows you to take back control – and that to me is the key message here.” 

Parkinson’s Disease is a life-changing neurological condition that affects both loss of mobility and cognitive dysfunction. It affects 153,000 people in the UK today and over 7 million worldwide. One in 37 people alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with the condition in their lifetime and currently there is no cure. Alongside pharmacological treatments, exercise is fundamental in the management of Parkinson’s disease. Evidence over the last 10 years has shown that being active can improve not only mobility, reduce falls risks and alleviates symptoms such as pain and stiffness but also reduce anxiety and depression. Regular physical activity improves mood and overall physical health, boosting confidence and independence in daily activities.  

Trevor was one of six Parkinson’s patients to work directly with a specialist Physiotherapist and PhD Fellow at the University of Cambridge to co-design a digital intervention, Knowledge Exercise Efficacy and Participation (KEEP), which aimed to promote the importance of exercise for people with Parkinson’s at the point of diagnosis.

The KEEP study was part of a 3-year PhD Fellowship funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Applied Research Collaborations East of England and was supported by an ACT grant. The intervention was led by PhD fellow, Ledia Alushi Agley, whose studies address the issues of early promotion of exercise together with early involvement of allied healthcare professionals – such as physiotherapists and speech and language therapists – in the care of patients with Parkinson’s.  

The KEEP intervention consisted of six online modules and four online group discussions facilitated by a specialist physiotherapist. Modules looked at the importance of physical activity, how to exercise effectively with Parkinson’s as well as taking control following diagnosis. An integral component of the intervention was the inclusion of personal stories and messages from people living with Parkinson’s, including Trevor. These personal accounts offered valuable insights and motivation, demonstrating real-life examples of how to manage and thrive despite the condition.  

To raise awareness of the importance of exercise, Trevor set himself the challenge of walking a 120-kilometre stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, from Newcastle to Carlisle, after contracting sepsis last year. “The sepsis kicked off all my Parkinson’s symptoms and made them deteriorate. I needed some counselling at the time too, as anxiety and depression are part of the disease. It made me feel vulnerable for the first time. In the end, I decided the best way for me to get out of this spiral of depression was to think about other people and take on this challenge.” 

Trevor hopes to raise ÂŁ1,200 for The Centre for Brain Repair through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, 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. 

Accompanying him on the walk later this month will be his eleven-year-old dog, Sam, an English Pointer, “who is the same age as me in dog years, we’re both 77.”  

“It’s not hard to walk 12 miles a day. It’s all about getting up the next day to do it all again but for someone with Parkinson’s it’s also the constant fight with fatigue and apathy.” 

Diagnosed with ‘right-side’ Parkinson’s, Trevor’s balance and co-ordination is affected, with tremors in his right foot and hand, along with low mood and fatigue associated with the disease.  

“One of the problems of Parkinson’s is fighting fatigue and apathy. If I keep going during the day I am fine but if I sit down I could fall asleep. It’s the battle of keeping active and doing stuff but I still go to the gym twice a week and walk 10km each day. 

 Ledia said that non-pharmacological interventions like KEEP, which promote the role of exercise around the time of diagnosis, are crucial as they can help patients manage their symptoms and continue to live well with Parkinson’s.  

“Introducing these interventions in the NHS Parkinson’s pathway at Cambridge University Hospitals and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust as part of a randomised control trial showcased the positive impact the intervention had in improving participants’ understanding of the role of exercise and their confidence in trying different exercises as soon as they were diagnosed, rather than waiting until mobility has deteriorated.”  

Trevor believes that participating in research studies like the KEEP intervention plays a vital role in highlighting the significance of physical activity in managing Parkinson’s disease. 

“When first diagnosed, I was told I had a window of between 6 and 14 years before I would be incapable of looking after myself which was a complete turnaround for someone who, although 72 years old at the time, was still active and walking 10 kilometres a day and had camping and hill walking down as my main hobbies. I was devastated. Nobody told me at the point of diagnosis about the importance of exercise. I just walked out of the hospital with this window of time I had left in my head.” 

Trevor hopes that by doing his walk it will give hope to others diagnosed with the Parkinson’s. “When Jeremy Paxman presented a Parkinson’s Petition to Downing Street delivering a list of recommendations, the headlines were ‘Having Parkinson’s makes you wish you hadn’t been born.’ I am really annoyed with Paxman for that. I think it’s absolutely awful. You can either be like Paxman or take some control. I have been given this window of between 6 and 14 years before my symptoms make it impossible to look after myself. I have good and bad days but I would like to push that window as far as I can.” 

To sponsor Trevor and donate to Parkinson’s Disease Research through ACT, click here  

Click here to to make a difference and fundraise for ACT. Alternatively, email: fundraising@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Fundraising brings company ‘happiness in spades’

Posted on by Danni Smith

Here, James Stevens, Founder and CEO of Cambridge Commodities, which provides nutritional ingredients across a variety of industries, talks about the positive impact that fundraising has had on his staff.   

James, who founded his company working out of his parents’ spare bedroom at just 21 years of age, has since grown the company to the size it is today – with a global workforce of 170 staff, with offices in Ely, Sacramento and the Netherlands. 

The company, however, didn’t start raising money for charity until its 20th year.

“I really wanted to raise ÂŁ20,000 for charity in our 20th year so started looking for a charity. Somebody wrote down Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and it just stood out. It’s the perfect charity for a business of our location and size and it touches the hearts of every single member of staff. We all know someone who has either been admitted to the hospital or visited somebody there. All my children were born in the Rosie.” 

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. 

One of the reasons for picking ACT as its charity was to be able to see the direct impact of all their fundraising efforts, James says – something that has happened on several occasions already with different members of staff, including Emily, the firm’s EU Account Manager, whose two-year-old Ayda was born in the Rosie just after Christmas. 

Emily had helped other members of staff to wrap Christmas presents which ACT funded to be distributed to patients on Christmas Day. Emily, who had been booked to have a C-Section on New Years’ Eve, went into labour early and was admitted to the Rosie on Christmas Eve. 

“I was in hospital on Christmas Day waiting to give birth so I received one of the Christmas presents that ACT had funded; some hand cream and body lotion, which was a really thoughtful present. Something like that just makes you feel supported and reassured that people are thinking of you and trying to make you feel better about being in hospital over Christmas, when you don’t want to be.” 

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

“As one of our things we wanted to do, staff chose to 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!’” 

Staff have taken part in, or organised, a range of activities or events – from wrapping Christmas presents for patients to competing in the Cambridge Half Marathon to handing out daffodils to hospital staff at Easter.  

“We were handing out daffodils to staff as they were leaving work for the day,” James said, “and to see the smiles on their exhausted faces, you cannot describe how good that feels. To see them all leaving and to be able to say thank you is amazing. I think we all had a little cry when we got home that day.” 

The firm has organised other events themselves – from cake bakes to a cyclathon (24 hours of cycling); a Walking Challenge where staff had to walk the equivalent in miles from their office in Ely to their office in Sacramento (over 5,000 miles which they managed to more than double) as well as their annual Christmas Ball, which after five years is soon expected to top half a million pounds raised. 

ACT’s Corporate Partnerships Manager Natasha Robertson said companies who would like to join forces with the charity can get involved in a number of different ways, from making one-off donations to choosing ACT as its Charity of the Year. 

“Most of the companies that we work with have a connection with the hospitals and find fundraising a really worthwhile, bonding experience. Employees can organise their own fundraising events or take part in some of the fun events that we organise throughout the year, including the Dragon Boat Race and the Cambridge Half Marathon.” 

“We have a diverse range of companies across sectors that are fundraising on our behalf and as we continue to grow.” 

As for James, he says fundraising gives his staff an enormous sense of pride as well as helps him get to know employees in areas of the business he wouldn’t normally interact with. It also helps with recruitment. 

“We have people saying they chose us as an employer because we had a relationship with a charity.” 

For any company thinking of becoming a corporate supporter for ACT, James has this to say, “You just need to find the time to do it but that time is paid back in spades through the happiness of your staff.” 

Find out more about our corporate partnerships here. If your company is able to support ACT and is looking to make a real difference, please email Natasha at: Natasha.Robertson@act4addenbrookes.org.uk.

Click here to find out more about fundraising for the hospital.

    

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

Posted on by Danni Smith

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.