Dedicated Hospital Fundraiser Takes On New Challenge
Over the past two years, tenacious fundraiser and ISS team member, Avtar Samrai, has raised an astonishing amount for charity.
His past fundraising adventures meant that he was recently able to donate £5,500 to Kings Lodge Neuro Rehab at Florence Nightingale Hospital with the donation going towards a new Syrebo Hand that will provide daily rehabilitation treatments for patients with hand dysfunction.
Avtar is now embarking on a new challenge to raise funds for a green area for Ward 312 at Royal Derby Hospital.
Since his fundraising began, Avtar has raised an over £10,000 for various projects across University Hospitals Of Derby & Burton Trust.
Avtar stared fundraising back in February 2020 when Covid has just began to take hold:
“l was off work with a really bad cough due to my Asthma, Covid had just hit Royal Derby Hospital and as l watched the news, colleagues were starting to lose lives.
"On my return-to-work, l was sent into a green area due to underlining health issues - but l wanted to do something to help others.
“With the help of a colleague Jade, who is a sister on the hand unit, we set up a fundraising page with the intention of raising £1000 in memory of all colleagues who had worked so hard to save others - but lost their own lives.
"However, what started off as a one-man mission to fundraise soon turned into a mission for the whole of UHDB."
After taking a break from fundraising due to a heart attack, Avtar now wants to focus on a new project and help support Ward 312 in the creation of a calm green space for staff and patients to enjoy.
He added: “I plan to do a number of walks and hopefully raise £1000, so once again l am asking the support of local companies and to support me.
"l have always said this is not about me, but the more coverage l can get, the more support and funds we will raise.
"Ward 3 is a stroke rehab ward, and the patients don't really get to go outside. The garden refurbishment project is a big undertaking, which will cost a large amount of money. ISS Facilities will donate a large amount to this project and l am working with our key accounts director on this."
For further information regarding Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, please contact:
Marie Gretton, Communications and Fundraising Officer at Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity - marie.gretton1@nhs.net