Hi, as you may be aware I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July last year. In September, I was told that I had less than 12 months to live. Just recently I have been informed that I now how a matter of weeks.

I started this Just Giving page a couple of weeks ago and the target is near, however I want keep pushing on as there is so much they can do with the funds, so thank you in advance.

Throughout my treatment the nurses on the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital have been excellent looking after me and others, and as I have told them it goes to prove that not all angels have wings on show.

During my eight months of Chemotherapy which occurred every two weeks, I was sat in a chair that was most uncomfortable and outdated. Nothing like you see in any of the adverts on TV that show modern comfortable reclining chairs. The NHS still rely heavily on donations to provide many items including chairs for wards.

A photograph I took of the chairs on the Mara Unit is shown at the top of this page. Not only does the room look sparse but you can see that the chairs are uncomfortable when most people are in them for between 4 and 8 hours.

I was in them for between 6 and 8 hours. Can you imagine yourself, your parents, grandparents or friends having to sit in these chairs for that period of time.

With what time I have left I have set myself a target of trying to gain donations from friends and family, work colleagues as well a small group of companies that I've come across during my working at ECA.

Each chair costs £650.00, and they have 20 chairs in total. Recently they were donated four new chairs which are much more comfortable and suitable for having chemotherapy over that period of time. The new chairs have wider, material covered arms and recline.

I would love to be able to get friends and work colleagues to donate to reach my goal of providing 16 chairs.

Being cheeky, and as we say in the Northeast, “shy bairns get nowt”, I would like to ask if there was a possibility of you being a work colleague, ECA Member or your company providing the cost of a chair towards my goal. If not, any amount would be gratefully accepted.

If I reach the target, then I would like to provide some artwork for the unit and as you will see from the photo previously it all looks very stark and bare. I do know that the staff have been looking at new mood lighting so that is another option if I can raise enough money.

Please do not forget to include gift aid with your donation.

All money raised goes direct to the Mara Unit. I appreciate that this hospital may not be in your area but I really want to thank them by raising the much needed funds.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/graeme-watson-1714225915134?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fgraeme-watson-1714225915134&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

I really can't express what a difference the new chairs would make to people undergoing Chemotherapy treatment.

Thank you in advance, Graeme

Graeme Watson

CDDFT Charity is the official charity for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. We use your donations to buy medical equipment, support training, innovation, education and much more that wouldn't be available the NHS without charitable funding. The charity works to help enhance patient care and their care experience across eight main hospital sites and in community settings, including in our patients' homes. With your help, we can make a real difference. Thank you