Tuesday 6 March 2012

Crosby resident raises funds for patients iPads


A fundraiser from Crosby has raised £4,500 to benefit some of the most critically ill patients in the region.
Rita Tarleton, 72, from Blundellsands, held a series of fundraising events to buy iPads for patients in Aintree University Hospital’s Critical Care Unit.
Patients in critical care have usually had major surgery and are in a vulnerable or unstable condition. Their ability to communicate can be greatly reduced if they have lost mobility or are using a ventilator to assist their breathing.
An iPad, with communication applications installed, can help improve a patient’s experience and gives a voice to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to articulate themselves, either to doctors and nurses or to visiting family and friends. The devices will also help patients keep in touch with the outside world by enabling them to read newspapers or even just check the weather reports.
Shirley Brady, Clinical Manager in the Critical Care Unit, said: “This money will make a huge difference to some of our sickest patients. Everyone on the unit is so grateful.”
Rita, with the support of her close friends, is one of the hospital’s most prolific fundraisers, having raised more than £15,000 since 2009. Her late husband, Brian, received treatment for leukaemia at Aintree and spent his final hours in the Critical Care Unit.
Rita said: “The staff were fantastic with Brian. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they went out of their way to try to save my husband. Even when there was nothing else to be done for him, they were patient and kind. As I left the unit I said to my sons, I want to do something for them.”
All funds raised by Rita have been matched by Barclays Banks’ Community Banking Partnership Project.
The money raised by Rita brings the total raised for the iPad appeal to more than £20,000. The appeal was launched last summer by five Critical Care nurses, calling themselves The Voice, who were sponsored to take on two of Scotland’s toughest physical challenges – the West Highland Way and Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
For more information and to make a sponsorship donation, visit www.justgiving.com/TheVoice