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A remarkable family have raised an incredible £1,658 for Ward 29 at the Leicester General Hospital thanks to a charity concert that, sadly, their beloved father did not live to see.
Music fan Richard Betts planned to organise a charity concert to raise money to support Ward 29 in gratitude for the treatment he received there following a bladder cancer diagnosis in 2017.
After having his bladder removed in a successful operation, Richard spent ten days recouperating under the care of the Ward 29 staff. In his own words, at that time, they “saved his life”.
During his recovery in late 2017, however, Richard and his family would face further distressing news when he was then diagnosed with bowel cancer and would require further hospital treatment.
To give something back to the staff who had cared so much for their beloved Dad, the Betts family planned to hold a charity concert to fundraise to support the Ward.
Daughter Emily says that Richard thought it was a fantastic idea for them to give something back.
“My mum Sally and I wanted to raise money Ward 29, where dad had spent time during his cancer diagnoses, because it was so close to our hearts,” says Emily.
“We organised a charity concert featuring bands Dad had loved to see over the years and he was delighted we wanted to help others in the same situation as he found himself in.”
Tragically, Richard did not live to attend the concert, sadly passing away in February this year at the age of 67.
The concert itself proved to be a great celebration of Richard’s life, as well as an incredibly successful fundraising event. In all, the Betts family, their friends and everyone associated with the event raised a truly fantastic amount of £1,658.88 for Ward 29.
Ward Sister, Julie Glover, was on hand to gratefully accept the Betts family’s donation and expressed how thankful the Ward 29 staff were to everyone involved.
“I cannot say enough how grateful Ward 29 are for this tremendous donation and how much it will mean to the patients we care for,” says Julie.
“Emily and Sally in their grief have put others before themselves and to me this just goes to show what a great man Richard was. Myself and Team 29 will promise to make sure that Richard’s memory lives on with the kindness shown to us all and, more importantly, to our patients.”
