(left to right) Troy Welch, Denise Hewlett founder of ‘Breathe Bright Rest Easy’ and health care assistant Sarah Capes
Dr Denise Hewlett, a University of Winchester academic, has set up an initiative aiming to raise funds for Bournemouth Hospital Charity. The event is an organised sponsored walk along Bournemouth seafront and the money will go towards improving the respiratory care in the region. Dr Hewlett is hoping the event will raise £5,000 for the ‘Breathe Bright Rest Easy’ initiative that will fund Dyson fans for respiratory wards at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The fans help inpatients breathe by reduce temperatures and fight infections. Funds will also go towards nebulisers (a machine that turns asthma medications into mist and delivers it to be inhaled) and other respiratory equipment needed to help respiratory patients take their medication in the comfort of their own home, supported by Dorset Adult Integrated Respiratory Service (DAIRS) nurses.
The six mile walk, taking place on 24 April, starts at Urban Reef, Boscombe Pier and goes along the Promenade to Branksome Chine. Walkers need to return to Urban Reef Restaurant for 5pm where an art raffle will take place.
Dr Hewlett says, “More than 800,000 people per year in the UK die from respiratory disease. Many of these deaths could be prevented through better patient research and care as well as raising awareness of the causes of respiratory disease.
“Through ‘Breathe Bright Rest Easy’, and with support from the University of Winchester, Royal Bournemouth Respiratory teams, AMBER (Action Management Before Emergency Risk) community nursing team, other community groups and support from Dyson Foundation, Phillips Medical, Henley’s Medical, Waitrose Winton and Ringwood and Danny Cartoons, we have a chance to see real change to address these voids in care in our region.”
Debbie Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Bournemouth Hospital Charity, says, “Denise has done an amazing job of raising money for Bournemouth Hospital Charity and the fans she has already funded have benefited patients on our respiratory wards.
“The walk on 24 April will be a fantastic day where walkers can enjoy our beautiful seafront while helping others and we hope the event is a huge success.”
To sign up for the walk or for more information, please visit www.breathebrightresteasy.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/breathebrightresteasy
or to donate https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/breathebrightresteasy
