Dr Neil Hopkinson, Consultant Rheumatologist, and Dr Sean Weaver, Consultant Gastroenterologist
Two consultants from the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals have raised thousands of pounds for the hospital charity by completing an epic cycle challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats, covering 990 miles in 14 days.
Dr Neil Hopkinson, Consultant Rheumatologist, and Dr Sean Weaver, Consultant Gastroenterologist have raised almost £7,000, with donations still coming in. The money will be split between the Trust’s Rheumatology Department and Endoscopy Department.
The pair wanted the money to go toward items that wouldn’t be funded as standard by the NHS, but that would improve the patient experience.
The Rheumatology Department hopes to continue further fundraising to buy a portable ultrasound scanner, while the Endoscopy Department plans to work toward a ‘carbon dioxide insufflator’, used to expand a patient’s gut during procedures without the resulting uncomfortable bloating when air is used.
Dr Weaver described the trip as a “great success”. He said: “There were highlights and favourite days – the lakes were great, the Welsh borders were so rural, it was lovely. Cycling through Glasgow along 30 miles of cycle paths meant we didn’t have to touch a road at all, it was just amazing!”
Dr Hopkinson was equally enthusiastic: “The trip was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It was lovely seeing the whole country, all the diverse scenery and geography in the best conditions.
“The support we received along the way was fantastic. One lady we met suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and when she found out I was raising money for rheumatology, she made a donation online. Another man up in Glen Coe just emptied his pockets and gave us all of his change!”
An extra £400 was raised by Dr Hopkinson for shaving his legs – as is commonly done by enthusiastic, as well as professional, ‘roadies’.
You can still support Dr Hopkinson and Dr Weaver by donating online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/weaver_hopkinson or through the hospital charity website: www.bournemouthhospitalcharity.org. Alternatively drop by the Charity Office in the main entrance of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Bournemouth Hospital Charity – John O’Groats’.
For more information about the work of the Bournemouth Hospital Charity visit www.bournemouthhospitalcharity.org, call the Charity Office on 01202 704060 or email charity@rbch.nhs.uk.
