#BristolCharityAdvent day 20: Southmead Hospital Charity

Southmead Hospital Charity raises funds to support services at Southmead and Cossham Hospitals, as well as community healthcare across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. The charity oversees over 100 different funds, from specialist equipment to improved treatment facilities, meaning supporters can raise money for the cause which is close to their heart – be that a particular ward, department or service.

As one of only two major trauma centres in the whole of the South West of England, as well as one of the largest urological centres in the country and a specialist hospital for neurosurgery, burns and orthopaedics, staff at Southmead Hospital often take on complex cases. Money raised through the hospital charity can improve outcomes for some of these patients, and make the stay in hospital more pleasant for everyone, even at the most difficult times.

Photograph by Barbara Evripidou

For the friends of 27-year-old Nick Graydon, their connection with the charity has taken on special significance. “He brought happiness into so many people’s lives and had a lot of very close friends,” recalls Katie Mitchell, one of Nick’s best friends. “He was always there to help anyone in need and always had a smile on his face. He could never fail to make you laugh even if you were having a really rough day! He was such a bright spark who loved colour and the opportunity to dress up.”

On Saturday, November 25 2017 Nick was hit by a cyclist in Montpelier. Badly injured, he was rushed to Southmead Hospital and was kept in an induced coma in intensive care. “The doctors and nurses took amazing care of him. We visited him each day and the staff there were always really helpful and caring,” says Katie.

“Unfortunately, after a few weeks in intensive care they had to turn off his life support because of his serious head injury. That day that they did it, the lead nurse was incredibly supportive to us.”

Nick couldn’t be saved by the staff at Southmead Hospital, but donations to the charity could help to save the lives of others

Nick’s friends have fundraised to buy a cedar tree in memory of him, which they plan to plant in Cotham Gardens, and are now going to donate any extra funds they raise to the Southmead Hospital Charity. “We want to raise as much money as possible for the charity, particularly the Head Injury Rehabilitation Unit, as Nick would have used that if he had woken up out of the coma,” Katie says. “Nick was always the first to help people so he would love that the money is going to help people.”

Photograph by Barbara Evripidou

Southmead Hospital Charity are currently running a Christmas campaign to donate a ‘festive fiver’. A donation of £5 will buy a gift for every patient who is in hospital over the festive season. To donate a festive fiver, text ‘SHCX05 £5’ to 70070 or visit www.southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk.

To support the friends of Nick Graydon in their aim to raise money for the hospital that treated their friend with such dignity and respect in his final days, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nickgraydon.