Dementia nurses at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital have set themselves a series of fundraising challenges this September to mark World Alzheimer’s Month.
Hayley Pye, Erika Favero, Debbie Bickel and Hannah Spiller say they want to challenge themselves by raising awareness of the challenges that their dementia patients face on a daily basis.
“Our challenges will be nothing compared to the challenges faced by our patients every single day,” said Hayley.
“Hospitals can be very big, confusing and frightening places to people with dementia, so by raising funds and awareness we hope we can help make their journey a little easier.
All the money we raise will be used to help make our hospital more dementia-friendly
– Hayley, Admiral Nurse / Dementia & Delirium Specialist Nurse
The team has previously raised money to create memory walls, murals and places to reminisce and talk to help relieve anxiety and stress for people with dementia and similar conditions.
By facing their own fears in September, they hope to raise a further £2,000 to make even more improvements at the hospital, over and above those possible with NHS funding.
Hayley and Erika will be doing skydives on September 28; Debbie is having a head shave on September 20; and Hannah is hoping to beat a 100kg dead lift personal best.
“Hayley and I are both terrified but imagine not knowing why you’re jumping out of that plane; our patients with dementia must feel this type of anxiety every single day,” said Erika.
“Debbie will be ‘braving the shave’ outside the hospital’s main entrance and I’ll be pushing my limits and training hard to beat my dead lift PB,” added Hannah.
“We’re only a small team, but we’re mighty and determined to make a difference,” she added.
Royal Devon Hospitals Charity community fundraiser Debbie Allen said it was very special to see hospital staff raising money to help them go even further for their patients.
“Hayley and the team do such a brilliant job looking after some of our most vulnerable patients and it’s incredibly inspirational to see them challenging themselves to help give their patients the best possible experience in hospital,” said Debbie.
To sponsor the team, click here.
