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With the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, hospitals across the UK are under immense pressure to support patients who have come into critical care with the new coronavirus. Tackling a disease for which there isn't a known cure is, of course, a huge challenge. 

However, some hospitals are struggling more than others due to being disproportionately under-funded and under-equipped.

We witnessed this first-hand, prior to the virus, when a member of our own family, Gary, was admitted to Barnsley Hospital in a critical condition with Sepsis in December 2018. At the time of Gary's admission, under what would be considered "normal circumstances" during peak flu-season, the ICU was desperately struggling to provide patients with enough beds and life support. 

Despite this, the team on the ward work against the odds on a daily basis and do the absolute best that they can for their patients. Luckily for Gary, their amazing work paid off and they saved his life. 

So now more than ever is the time to help protect those who put their lives on the line to save us. 

Every small donation will make a difference, so please donate whatever you can.

This is Gary's story:

On the 28th December 2018, Gary was admitted to Barnsley Hospital with breathing difficulties and a viral infection. It was soon realised that he was suffering with severe Septic shock, triggered by an ongoing bout of pneumonia he had over the Christmas period and needed to be transferred to the ICU and put on life support immediately. 

Doctors worked round the clock for a period of 5 weeks while they fought to keep his levels stable. His condition was worsening with more infections being discovered and the intensity of drugs having to be increased in order to keep him alive. 

Unfortunately, the combination of essential vasopressors, the sepsis, and an underlying condition, known as Raynaud's, lead to a lack of adequate blood flow to his extremities. Specifically, parts of his fingers and the entirety of both his lower legs were left beyond the point of repair. His legs were amputated as a means to prevent the sepsis spreading any further around his body and to improve his condition. Fortunately, this changed the tide and he was back home 3 weeks later, following the operation. He has since had all essential operations to his fingers and continues to recover at home.