Meet the Team

Denise Gee - Head of Charity

Hello - I’m passionate about developing our charity to make a lasting difference to the lives of those we love – our patients, staff, and volunteers, by creating opportunities to work with charitable trusts, major donors, local and national businesses.

I lead on planning our capital appeals and delivering our fundraising strategy to provide a range of activities and equipment which is over and above NHS funding.

What I love about working for the charity is meeting amazing fundraisers, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and patients.

It’s great to be able to support the innovative ideas and improve the services ELHT provides with funding from the charity, to ensure our hospitals lead the way in providing exceptional healthcare for future generations. Who knew we would be using robots for surgical procedures and that the Charity would commit to buying two! Just walking around our hospitals and seeing the items that ELHT&Me has funded is a fantastic feeling and we are always keen to hear about new ideas and look at ways to achieve them.

Fun Facts: I’m a bit of a thrill-seeker having done some crazy things as a fundraiser over the years!!

Competed in the World Gravy Wrestling Championship - amazing how much fun you can have grappling in 1500 litres of Lancashire’s favourite!

Jumped out of a plane...twice I loved it

Walked 235ft to the summit of Blackpool's Big One

Oh and ran the Burnley 10k - my biggest challenge yet, give me jumping out of a plane any day 

There are many other challenges I have completed but the question is, what next? Maybe you would like to suggest a challenge?

 

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Demi Houghton - Digital Fundraising Officer

Hello, I’m Demi! I'm the face behind our socials so please follow us on socials and share, like and comment on our posts - @ELHTandMe. My role is to make sure that our online communities are up-to-date with all upcoming events and to share the many wins that make ELHT&Me so extraordinary.

I love thrilling activities and have skydived 13,000 feet in Australia, landing on Mission Beach in Cairns and most recently 'walked the woodie' at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Do you want to do something similar? Get in touch today on 01254 732140.

 

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Rebecca Bartle - Fundraising Assistant

Hello, I’m Becca and I am the newest member of the ELHT&Me team.

I have recently graduated from the University of Manchester with a first-class degree in psychology and am now looking forward to a new adventure getting stuck into the world of fundraising!

Outside of fundraising, I am a huge football fan, having watched and played it from a very young age. Much to the dislike of many, I am a Burnley supporter (someone has to). I also love to travel and explore new places whenever I can. My favourite place to visit has definitely been New York for the busy and exciting place that it is.

I can’t wait to get stuck into this new chapter with ELHT and Me, and am looking forward to meeting many of you along the way!

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Elmore - Charity mascot

Hello bear buddies! You might have seen me here, there and everywhere, but I thought it was pawsibly time I told you a bit about myself.

Like loads of people I’ve met, I was born at the Royal Blackburn Hospital in 2003, coming from a rare family of bears who lived in the backwoods of Hyndburn.

My grandfather, Elbert, came over to England as a champion bear hugger and settled in East Lancashire after discovering a love for Lancashire hotpot.

Although you’ll notice I’m fit and healthy now, I was born prematurely, at 30 weeks, weighing 3lb and spent some time on the neonatal unit.

I’ve been cared for by the hospitals at various stages in my life so I know how vital it is that we all keep supporting ELHT&ME.

Buy your very own Elmore teddy by visiting our charity hub at the main entrance of Royal Blackburn Hospital.

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Alfie - Therapy dog (Head of happiness)

Meet Alfie our Trust’s therapy dog. His other title is head of happiness! 

We were delighted to use charitable funding to bring Alfie to the Trust to provide support to staff, patients and visitors. He was royally revealed as our newest team member back in January 2022 at Clitheroe Community Hospital.

Alfie spends his time with the spiritual care team and has hugely enhanced their services since joining them last year; being a 'ray of sunshine' and creating happy memories with everybody he encounters. 

Donate in support of Alfie's work

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Meet our volunteers

Duncan

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"Having three premature babies with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is why I volunteer - to give something back. I'm a fun loving person who enjoys giving great customer service, meeting and greeting people; you never know who you're going to meet in the charity world. It's great fun with so many opportunities. Since I began volunteering with ELHT&Me, I've joined the team at Blackburn bonfire, been out with Santa on his sleigh and I'm in the charity hub at least one day a week. I invite you all to come and visit us at the main entrance of Royal Blackburn and say hello!"

Kaye

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"I've been a volunteer with ELHT&Me since December 2022 and initially applied so that I could support my daughter, Becca, with fundraising events and in the newly opened hub. My main role has been meeting all the lovely customers in the hub but I hope to also be assisting with events in the community throughout the year. I've been retired for two years and have 20 years experience working in the fundraising sector so it's nice to get back to that whilst also getting a lot of satisfaction for helping our amazing NHS."

Maureen

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"I began volunteering with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2019, working on the surgical wards. I then transferred to the charity in 2022 when the hub was opening as I thoroughly enjoy talking to customers and staff and love that I can interact a little differently in this space. After 30 years working in the NHS and other areas of healthcare, I guess you could say i'm dedicated to being in this environment. My charity role gives a different angle and it's a fantastic team to be a part of."

Dave

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"I started volunteering with ELHT&Me a number of years ago, helping with community events. Most recently, the Blackburn charity bonfire has become my favourite event to be a part of with the Blackburn Round Table - whatever the weather and the Santa collections in the area too. I really enjoy coming in once a week to volunteer in the charity hub and when I permanently reitre, I hope to be more involved. In a nutshell, ELHT&Me is a great team and I'm happy to be part of it, all for a good cause."

David

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Paul

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