Local patient and his employer back fundraising campaign

A patient at Grimsby hospital has raised more than £1,000 for a local charity appeal thanks to help from his employer. 

Steve Billings was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2016 and has since undergone two operations at Grimsby’s Diana Princess of Wales Hospital. 

While attending an outpatient appointment he read about the Rear into Gear appeal which is being run by The Health Tree Foundation, the official charity of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. It aims to buy two new pieces of laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) equipment. 

Steve said: “I was attending the hospital for an appointment with my consultant Mr Kishore Sasapu when I saw a leaflet all about the appeal. I work at local employee Cristal and decided to ask its community awareness team if we could support the appeal.”

Steve’s colleagues were very much on board with his request and a decision to support the appeal was instant. Steve added: “The Cristal community team has supported many good causes over the years because it just loves making a difference when it comes to helping those in need. Cristal has always been very caring and strives to help any worthy cause whenever possible.”

The company organised a raffle which included prizes such as an Amazon Echo, Bluetooth speaker, paintball experiences, vouchers, candles, alcohol and much more. The raffle raised a grand total of £1,500.

Steve said: “I understand the worry and anxiety people feel when they are diagnosed with bowel cancer. The donation from Cristal will go a long way to help the appeal raise the amount required for the much needed new equipment.” 

Chair of the community team at Cristal, Rebecca Kirvan-Rodgers, said: “We are so pleased to be able to make this donation. We have supported a number of other Grimsby hospital appeals in the past such as the Pink Rose Suite, the Pink Rose garden and Little Lives. 

“When Steve asked us if we could help, we decided our annual raffle would be perfect as it is always well supported by our employees and their families. We really hope we can make a difference with our donation.”