A young woman from Bransholme has raised more than £1,100 to support neurosurgical patients in our care.

Jodie Baitson –Horrocks, 25, underwent surgery for Chiari Malformation One at Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI) last year and was cared for by staff on Ward 4.

Chiari Malformation One is a rare condition where the brain presses down into the lower part of the spinal canal. In many cases, the condition is identified in childhood but for Jodie, it was only in her twenties when she started showing symptoms.

Jodie and her family were so impressed with the care she was given by staff at HRI that when she left hospital, she was determined to raise money for the ward as well as raising more awareness of her condition.

Jodie and her family set up a GoFundMe page in October and since then, she has smashed her original £1,000 fundraising target.

Jodie, her mum and grandmother all returned to the ward this week to present staff with a ‘thank you’ cheque for an amazing £1,142.41. More than half of the amount, an amazing £625, was generated by staff from Lincoln-based jewellery retailer, John Greed, who heard Jodie’s story and not only organised a raffle to raise money but also gave Jodie a Pandora charm bracelet of her own for Christmas.

Jodie says:

“The staff have really looked after me and the ward deserves it. It’s important to me that I can give something back to help the staff and other patients on the ward.”

The money Jodie has raised through her GoFundMe page will be used to buy equipment for the ward which is likely to include floor standing fans to help patients stay comfortable in warm weather.