Bella Talbutt
Bella's page
Fundraising for St George's Hospital Charity
Story
On the 6th of March 2015, my stepfather Nigel Halsey died after his life support was switched off following his third operation on a mycotic aortic aneurysm coupled with a staphylococcus aureus infection. Nigel was first admitted to the A&E at Royal Surrey Hospital in late January 2015 with severe back pain. In the weeks that followed he was moved to Frimley Park Hospital. Here, he had two major operations which attempted to save him. These proved unsuccessful and so Nigel was transferred to St George's due to the increasing severity of his illness. My family and I spent many hours in all of these hospitals but especially in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) at St George's.
My step-sisters Caroline and Jenny have already walked the South Coast Path to raise funds for the CTICU waiting room, and I hope to raise additional funds to further renovate this waiting room where many families in the same horrific position have to wait desperately for positive news.
At 15 years old, the immediate shock regarding the severity of his illness and the suddenness his death denied acknowledgement of my personal grief. Now, 3 years later, instead of running away from facing this, I am running in the Vitality London 10,000 on the 28th of May. Whilst nothing can fill the void created by Nigel's death, I hope that any money raised will help create a nicer environment in the waiting room at St George's. No donation is too small and I really appreciate anything you can give. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.