A VISUALLY impaired staff member at Heartlands Hospital is set to take on a charity abseil next month.
Patrick Watson, who works in the appointments centre will be scaling down Good Hope Hospital on September 14 in aid of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Heartlands Hospital Charity, Good Hope Hospital Charity, and Solihull Hospital Charity.
Patrick said; “It has always struck me how fantastic the staff are at all the hospitals in the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. They go above and beyond for their patients, and I wanted to do something to support them.
“I have done several abseils in the past – all for charity – and get a real thrill from it.
“Because I am visually impaired and use a white cane, I think that some of the fear of abseiling off a big building doesn’t get to me until I’m actually up there, then it hits. I always dress as Tigger when I do an abseil, it’s a bit of fun but it takes away some of the nerves.
“Doing the Charity Abseil at Good Hope Hospital is very personal for me, my daughter was born at the hospital, and I still remember fondly how incredible the staff were. I always feel that donating to a hospital charity is so personal, you can see the effect your donation has, and you know that it’s having a positive impact on lives, it makes this challenge very special to me.”
The Charity funds equipment and resources over and above what the NHS can provide – from life-saving research, and state-of-the-art equipment, to safe play areas and sensory toys to help patient wellbeing.
The money raised for the Charity by Patrick will be put to good use, helping patients, their families and staff across the Trust.
To sign up too and join in the abseil click here.
Or to donate to Patrick’s fund click here.
