Pictured: Andy Laraway, his family and local landlord Brian Healey, present their donation to staff on the Chemotherapy Ward at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Locals from Oswaldtwistle have donated total of £350 to East Lancashire Hospitals Trust’s charity, ELHT&Me, to thank staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital Chemotherapy ward.
Andy Laraway was diagnosed with lymphoma in September 2018, and to celebrate the end of his treatment, local landlord Brian Healey, placed collection tins at the Stanhill Inn Oswaldtwistle. Customers at the pub and the local community generously donated, raising a total of £350.
“I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of myself and my family Dr Adiyodi and all staff on the chemotherapy unit, for the wonderful work they do”, Andy said.
“Since being diagnosed, the treatment and care I received from the staff was truly amazing. Donating to the chemotherapy ward was my way of making sure current and future patients get the same warm, caring professionalism I received when receiving treatment.”
At the presentation of the cheque, Andy was able to ring the bell on the ward to mark the end of his cancer treatment. When ringing the bell, Andy told staff: “I’d like to thank you all for all you’ve done for me over the last eight months, and hopefully it’s all clear going forward!”
Denise Gee, Fundraising Manager of ELHT&Me, said: “The charity are so grateful for this generous donation, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to Andy, his family and Brian, for collecting these donations from the local community.
“We are delighted that Andy has completed his treatment, and this money will be used to ensure that chemotherapy patients in the future can have an experience as positive as his.”