Our Heart Centre Team would like to thank all those who have supported them during the year.
The wonders of the workings of the heart is something we must all appreciate and now Darent Valley Hospital can boast one of the only dedicated new Heart Centres in Kent which means patients no longer have to travel to London for care. Our award winning Heart Team want to make this new unit even better donations to this fund will continue to help purchase extra items to enhance the care given to local people.
Isabella with Cardiologist Winston Martin and Pauline Cherek (photograph)
7 year old with a big heart raises funds in memory of her Granddad Michael Daley from Swanley
On the 17th July 7 year old Isabella Rodgers took part in a sponsored bike ride to raise funds for the Darent Valley Hospital Heartbeat Appeal which involved doing 20 laps of a circuit mapped out by her Mum in their local park. The ride covered a distance of 5 miles and took about an hour with a 5-minute break after each mile.
Mum Stephanie said “Dad was so well looked after by the Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust cardiology department for years. Because of the care he received he was able to enjoy a longer life and his only grandchild Isabella. My mother wanted any funds raised to benefit the Heart Centre at Darent Valley Hospital to thank them for the care he had received before his death in January this year.”
Isabella said, “I wanted to give my birthday money in memory of my Granddad but my mum said that it was better to raise it than to give my birthday money.”
Isabella, mum Stephanie and partner Steve met Tracey Cummins, Fundraising Manager on the 3rd of August. They then all met Cardiologist Winston Martin and Pauline Cherek who were delighted to receive the £515 raised.
Also the 2010 Mid Kent Golf Club Captain Tutsy Walsh was so grateful for the care given to her by the Darent Valley Hospital Heart Centre she elected their golf club to raise funds for the hospitals Heartbeat Fund.
Cardiologist Winston Martin was delighted to accept a cheque for £4,385 from Tutsy and her vice captain Beverley Barrow when they visited the hospital on the 24th November. All the members including the club captain David Ewen worked hard all year to raise this splendid amount.
Dr. Martin gave a short tour of the centre and explained what extra items they would like to introduce to help give anyone with heart problems the best possible care.
Tutsy said “I am so grateful as well as the staff saving my life when I became ill Dr. Martin was so very kind and put me at ease straight away – I cannot thank them enough. Our members have been so very generous which has resulted in this splendid amount being raised.”
