Olive Stirling is a truly remarkable lady!
After learning news about the fundraising appeal for the Brampton Ward Quiet Room, the 86-year old Great Grandmother wanted to get involved by doing a skydive!
In the 1980s, Olive was the PA to Miss R.
M.
Illsley, the District Nursing Officer for Northampton and she is now a member of the Northampton NHS Retirement Fellowship.
Olive explains in her own words how it all came about and what happened: “It all started when I read in an NHS Retirement Fellowship newsletter, an article about a fundraising event to try and raise £15,000 in order to create a Quiet Room for the Elderly and Dementia patients on Brampton Ward.
My late husband had recently stayed in that Ward so I was immediately interested.
I attended a Retirement Meeting and Carol Mabbutt was raising money for the same purpose, so I approached her to learn more about it.
I needed to go to NGH for a pre-op test for my cataract and whilst in the vicinity I spoke to a man on the Volunteer Desk to ask how to get details and he started the ball rolling.
From the desk I rang Zoe Finch of the Hospital Charity Dept., who took my details and then emailed me with all the information and some sponsorship forms.
The man at the desk was so impressed he gave me £10 on the spot!
So that was it – I was committed!
I had wanted to do a skydive but this idea was scuppered for medical reasons so the next thing I thought of doing was an abseil down the Express Lift Tower but unfortunately, I was told that the grip in my hands and wrists were not strong enough!!
But I was determined to do something, so Zoe suggested I could perhaps do a Mini Triathlon which would be more of a personal challenge.
So, I decided to do 1-hour of playing badminton, a 2-mile bike ride and a 3-mile walk!
I was officially registered for the 5K Run/Walk at Stanwick Lakes, on Sunday 15th September.
But due to health problems was unable to take part in that – but I have since completed all the challenges, duly certified and signed at the time of completion.
I have worked hard to get sponsorship and am very pleased with the result so far.
I am pleased with the £1,800 I have collected, and with Gift Aid added, the magnificent sum of £2,200 will be the final figure raised!
Thank you to all those who responded to my request for a donation I am most grateful and it will help Brampton Ward to reach their target.” Thank you so much, Olive!
Wishing you a very happy 87th Birthday next month!
Thanks to this incredible donation we are getting ever closer to our target!