Charities
Charity That's Close To Home
This month we're doing a rather special charity feature about a man who played an integral role in saving the life of a St Christopher's employee.
Integral Interpub employee and Human Resources Director Franca Knowles went into hospital for a scan on May 17, 2007. The results showed that a tumour she had battled four years previously, had returned.
Fortunately the tumour was small and did not light up in the next scan, when dye had been injected into it. This was a good sign and indicated that it was not aggressive.
An operation was arranged and on May 29, 2007 Franca entered the hospital. Neil Kitchen performed the delicate surgery and after several hours the operation was declared to be a success. Franca is now well on her way to recovery.
As a token of heart felt appreciation Managing Director Keith Knowles decided to step in and sponsor Neil as he embarked on a TAP cycle ride - to help people outside of his operating theatre.
Neil told us more about was involved: “Being a busy surgeon provides me with many challenges and gives me great fulfilment. I have a fantastic job however I wanted to help people in a different way.
“Always a keen cyclist I decided to enter the Étape de Tour. This is a cyclo-sportive charity cycle ride, undertaken each year by about 8000 amateur cyclists. It covers a mountain stage of the real Tour de France - over closed roads.
“On July 16th this year I covered the 199km route from Foix to Loudenvielle in the Pyrenees. It took me 11 hours and a lot of pain but I did it. I hope to have raised about £40,000 for my hospital's charity.
“The backup team from St Christopher's Inns and Belushi's bars were brilliant. Live your life!”
I wanted to help people in a different way
Neil completed this challenge in support of the National Hospital Development Foundation. This charity dedicates itself to raising funds for The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery which, together with the Institute of Neurology, is a worldwide leader in the research and treatment of brain disorders.
If you want to help this very worth cause by giving a donation or signing up to their next challenge, then click here and see what a difference you can make.
All our thoughts and strength are with Franca as she battles her way back to full health and inspires everyone at St Christopher's to get on with their days and Live Their Lives.
