On Saturday 20 July, Nicola Thompson, a former East Lancashire Hospitals employee, held a coffee and cake morning at her home in aid of ELHT&Me, the hospital’s charity.
Whilst working in the Diagnostic and Clinical Services directorate at the Trust, Nicola underwent several major surgeries for oral cancer. She was under the care of Dr Naseem Ghazali, Oral and Maxillofacial Consultant and Head and Neck Surgeon, and her team.
Dr Ghazali, Anne Birtwell, Staff Nurse in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Bob Hope, a former patient and cancer survivor, are now aiming to raise £45,000 by taking part in the Swallows Charity Bike Ride. They will be cycling from Bridlington to Blackpool to raise funds for equipment for the surgical robot at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Riders will cover 170 miles over three days, from 25 - 27 July (World Head and Neck Cancer Day), 'starting with their back wheel in the North Sea, and finishing with their front wheel in the Irish Sea!'
Nicola’s coffee and cake morning raised an amazing £1142.25 for the campaign – a huge step towards the final target!
To donate, visit the ELHT JustGiving page, click 'Donate' and specify 'Head and Neck Cancer Services' in your donation message. Or, complete the paper sponsorship form with one of the riders in person.