Just what the doctor ordered

As reported in the County Times on November 3, Sophia Palombo, from Bury wanted to raise money for the charity Friends of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after the Southampton based unit saved her sister’s life.

Her younger sibling Gabriella, now 21, was involved in an accident with a car five years ago, and taken to Southampton General hospital.

After witnessing first hand the hard work of medical staff there, Sophia, 23, and her family became involved with charity Friends of the PICU.

In a bid to raise money for the hospital the fair was held at Bury Village Hall. As well as the usual raffles and stalls they also had a visit from Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac, who plays Dodger Savage in the channel 4 soap.

Sophia went to Chichester college with the actor who was more than happy to take part. Danny said it was a ‘privilege’ to help out and support the charity.

He said: “The fair was full of many different stalls all selling gifts of such high quality. It was a pleasure to be there and meet everyone.”

Sophia wanted to thank all of those who attended, as well as the ‘wonderful Santa, Carte Blanche Greetings and Tesco in Pulborough’.

“We raised an incredible £1,210 for Friends of PICU, who will use this money to equip their new retrieval ambulance! We were so grateful to everyone who helped, donated, and came along to the even.

The £1,210 raised will go towards the £150,000 needed for a new specialist ambulance, fitted out as a mobile intensive car unit, to serve the region’s paediatric intensive care unit at Southampton.