FROME Times photographer, David Chedgy, has raised over £1,000 for the RUH after his battle with Covid-19.
“The staff on Waterhouse Ward were utterly amazing and I genuinely feel that I am lucky to have survived this,” he said.
“I spent 12 days in the RUH, ten of them on oxygen fighting Covid and would like to say a massive thank you to the doctors, nurses and other staff who were absolutely fantastic.
“I felt I had to do something to say thank you so launched a fundraising appeal. I thought I might raise £250 but that total was quickly reached; I increased it to £500; then £750 and now the total has gone past £1,000.
“The staff worked tirelessly and I must thank them all for the dedicated and magnificent care that I have received. It has been very humbling. They are exhausted, working long hours in extremely difficult conditions. I don’t mind admitting that I was scared and wondered if I would be leaving while still breathing.
“I have, with their permission, taken some photographs of the hospital staff in action which illustrate the environment they have to work in and PPE they have to wear for their 12-hour shifts. I would like, in particular, to thank charge nurse Bruno Braggio and special thanks to all the team on the Waterhouse Ward including nurse Charry Alejandro, health assistants Kayleigh Mitchell, Kassie Paradise, Julian Vidal and Momodou Jara, doctor Elsbeth and consultants Emily Henderson and Robin Frackwell, and many others whose names I didn’t manage to catch!”
The money David has raised will go to The Forever Friends Appeal and to help pay for additional equipment, research and innovations, as well as finishing touches and ‘extras’ that complement the existing high quality care for patients at the Royal United Hospital.
David also appealed to people to get the vaccine and not be complacent.
“Don’t take any unnecessary risks, do protect yourselves and do wear a mask when out, if not to protect you, then to protect others,” he said. “Bring on the vaccines!”