My Story

Hello! If you don’t know me, I’m Claire and in February 2024 a strange reaction took over my entire body, hospitalising me for several days 🤒 I’m much better now 🥳, thanks to the professionalism, care and charisma of the staff at NHS East Surrey Hospital (as well as the wonderful support I’ve received from family and friends 💕).

This bizarre experience led me to write a diary, which I made public in an attempt to raise money for staff and patients in ED and on the Godstone Ward. I’m so proud to announce that we smashed that donation target in just a few days! And I am working with the Head of Charity at SASH to ensure that all of the money goes towards supporting patients and staff on the ground.

The people I met in the NHS are amazing. They are working really hard, which is one of the reasons why I shared my story: I wanted to give something back and I’m so proud that we’ve been able to do that.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who donated – your money will make a difference 💕.

Thank you x

If you read the diary then donations are still open, if you'd still like to contribute towards the following ideas: 

£50 - I'd like the money to go towards some Yorkshire Tea bags, soft muffins, fresh fruit and baked beans for the Godstone Ward: a little treat for patients and staff.  

£250 - All of the above PLUS a hamper to thank those who looked after me so well (in ED and on the Godstone Ward). Turns out gifts like this can have a real impact when you’re struggling. 

£500 - All of the above PLUS a couple of Meaco fans (if allowed) for the Godstone Ward (small, quiet and powerful). This would give staff an option, at least, to offer patients in need - who are in their own rooms. 

£500+ All of the above AND the rest of the money should go towards any suggestions that the staff - particularly those working on the ground in ED (porters, doctors, cleaners, nurses, assistants etc) - have for how to improve care for patients. 

Thank you x

- - - - 

THE OFFICIAL LINE ON THE MONEY PROCESS! (From SASH Charity)

As you’d expect with a charity doing stuff in a real-life hospital - there’s (rightly!) some governance around how the money is spent so we don’t accidentally buy something which charities really shouldn’t fund, or which can’t be used in a real-life hospital.

This is how it works:

• Donations will be held by the hospital charity (actually in a separate bank account to NHS money) so our donations can't disappear into an NHS budget somewhere.
• Every penny we raise will be used by the brilliant staff in the hospital (starting with the teams in Godstone Ward, and the Emergency Department). They will simply be able to apply to the charity to use the money.

The Head of Charity has also confirmed that we’ll be working together with the team on the ward/in the Emergency Dept to spend whatever money we raise in whichever ways have the biggest impact. This will likely include some or all of the ideas above. If for some reason we can't do these particular things, or the staff would rather we helped with something else, then it’ll be on something similarly impactful which helps people in similar situations to my experience – either in Godstone Ward & the ED, or other parts of the hospital where we can really help in ways that count.

- - - - 

YOUR IDEAS

The charity team would also love to hear other ideas from other people who have read my story, for brilliant stuff we could fund with the donations raised. Either at East Surrey Hospital, Crawley Hospital, or (my other local hospital) Horsham Hospital. If you’ve got suggestions, please email the team directly at [email protected]