Bury St Edmunds/Ixworth: Ben’s West Suffolk Hospital appeal is inspired by care given to his nan

Mariam Ghaemi

Launch of fundraising appeal for the trauma and orthopaedic department at West Suffolk Hospital. Ben Lord with his nan Beryl Rose. Ben wants to raise £25,000 after his nan was treated in the department over a 10 year stretch.

Archant

A businessman from Ixworth has launched a fundraising campaign for West Suffolk Hospital inspired by his grandmother’s continuing support and treatment there.

Ben Lord wanted to say a personal thank you to the hospital’s trauma and orthopaedic department after his nan Beryl Rose underwent 11 operations in the last 14 years.

In that time she has lived with three debilitating forms of arthritis and has had five replacement operations on her knee, shoulder and hip as well as sustaining a double fracture to a broken arm.

On Thursday, Mr Lord launched the Arthrose appeal at West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, to fund specialist walking frames for patients.

The appeal, named after the Dutch term for arthritis, will see him organise a number of events throughout the year.

Among then, he will be taking part in this year’s London to Brighton charity bike ride.

He said: “Each and every time that nan has been treated at the West Suffolk it’s been done so with absolute excellence the dedicated professionals who support not just the patient, but their families as well.

“I have witnessed first-hand the brilliance in treating my nan, and seeing how a hugely painful and immobile situation can be reversed to you leading a normal daily life that offers restored mobility and is pain free is simply amazing.

“I knew I had to do something to give thanks and repay them and their colleagues for all that they’ve done now and over the past 14 years.”

His nan said: “I cannot speak too highly of the care and support I have received from the trauma and orthopaedic department at West Suffolk Hospital.

“It has not always been easy living with pain, but the hospital staff have always gone above and beyond.”

Andrew Dunn, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said: “The state-of-the-art and specialist walking frames will allow patients to become more mobile and rehabilitate much quicker after surgery.”

For more information about the appeal call Mr Lord on 01359 232667 or email ben.lorduk@gmail.com

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/ArthroseAppeal