Felicity Coghlan, 20, and her father Patrick decided to support the Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead because of the help given to her as toddler. They raised over £1,000 for the Queen Victoria Hospital Charitable Fund. Felicity had a terrible accident and cut her face when she was 18 months old. She had an operation at the hospital and was cared for on the hospital’s Peanut Ward for children. Eighteen years later, when Patrick became the captain of his Brighton and Hove Golf Club, he was invited to nominate his chosen charity and says he immediately knew he wanted to support the hospital. He raised money by holding a captain’s charity day with various fundraising games and events. Felicity joined him in fundraising by running the Burgess Hill 10k in May. Felicity said: “Thanks to the excellent care at QVH I was left with nothing worse than a scar and few days in hospital. “But while we were there my family saw many cases of children bravely battling more serious setbacks. “While my experience was not life threatening, it is occasionally a struggle to deal with. “But I can only imagine how the lives of other children and their parents have been affected. I wanted to help the hospital to make things a little easier for other patients and to say a personal thank you to the doctors and nurses who helped me.” Patrick said: “I’ve seen first-hand the wonderful work they do at the hospital. While we were there we saw all the other accidents and illnesses that they deal with daily on Peanut Ward, and the care and professionalism of the staff. It has always stuck with me, so when I was asked to nominate a charity as the captain of the golf club, I knew without delay I wanted to support QVH.” Gill Orman, Head of Fundraising for the QVH Charitable Fund, said: “We’re proud that the care we provided to Felicity all those years ago made such an impression, and very grateful for their fantastic support. With the help of fundraisers like Felicity and Patrick we can do even more to rebuild lives and make things a little easier for the people who rely on us. We’re always keen to hear from people who have fundraising ideas, big or small, and eager to help them however we can.” The Queens Victoria Hospital Charitable Fund currently has places available for the 2014 Brighton Marathon. For more information about the charitable fund and fundraising opportunities, visit www.supportqvh.org or call 01342 414511. The photograph shows Patrick and Felicity presenting their cheque to staff on Peanut Ward. Left to right: Senior Staff Nurse Allan Curtis, Staff Nurse Sue Hallifax, Patrick Coghlan, Felicity Coghlan, Ward Manager Nicola Senior, Staff Nurse Diane Burbery.
