New graphics raising awareness of sepsis have been installed at Royal Preston Hospital thanks to a city businessman who ran the London Marathon in aid of the Critical Care Unit.
Mark Delaney, from Preston, raised £2,400 for the Critical Care Unit in 2019 to say thank you for the care his dad received on the unit when he was treated for sepsis.
A portion of the money he raised has been spent on a vinyl wrap on lift doors at Royal Preston Hospital, containing information on the condition from the UK Sepsis Trust.
Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition where the immune system overreacts to an infection or injury, causing damage to organs and tissues in the body.
The new graphics explain the key signs of the condition to help educate staff and visitors about what to look out for.
Mark decided to support the Critical Care Unit through a donation to the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity after his dad, Keith, recovered from sepsis following treatment at Royal Preston Hospital.
He said:
“Two years ago, my dad was struck by sepsis and was very poorly for a number of months. If it hadn’t been for the amazing care and attention of the Critical Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital, he wouldn’t be here with us today.
“Whilst dad was on a life support machine, I said to my mum that if he pulled through, I would run the London Marathon to raise awareness for sepsis and also for the unit at Royal Preston Hospital.
“After a six-week battle, dad was allowed home to continue his long road to recovery - so I ran the marathon!
“To hear that the money we raised has been put to such good use is very heartening, and I hope that it helps other families and patients that are struck down by this cruel illness.”
Angie Walsh, Sepsis Lead Nurse at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We cannot thank Mark enough for his donation that has enabled us to do this. We have collaborated with the UK Sepsis Trust and designed our wraps to give maximum impact on the fourth floor. This space is a very busy area opposite our acute admission unit and I hope lots of staff and patients will see this and think about sepsis.
“Using these spaces, we can raise awareness of education for staff and help support and advise the general public. We work throughout the year to highlight sepsis in and outside of the hospital setting and this is a very effective way of getting the message across.”
Paula Wilson, Head of Charities and Fundraising at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity is so grateful to Mark for such a thoughtful donation, which will no doubt go a long way to informing and educating our staff, patients and visitors about the signs of sepsis.
“This is such an important subject, and we are delighted to have been able to facilitate the lift wraps as a result of Mark’s incredible fundraising efforts! We would like to wish Mark, his dad Keith and family all the very best for the future.”
Find out more about the work of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity at https://lthcharity.org.uk/.
