Former patient prepares for pilgrimage to support ward that cared for her

Sally is in final preparations for her epic pilgrimage for Hampshire Hospitals Charity

Fun loving and super fit 84-year-old Sally Stoodley was living an active retirement. Enjoying Zumba and Pilates four times a week, she was chair of the patients group at the local surgery. She only slowed down to play bridge.

Then one day, it all stopped. “In a flash this all changed with no warning signs whatsoever,” Sally recalls. “One minute I had been out walking, just home and putting on the kettle and the next minute I was in hospital having suffered a severe stroke.

“Apparently, I spent five days in Winchester Hospice as the treatment I was given over that first night didn't work and the doctors suggested end of life care. At the end of day two in the hospice the only words I said were 'I am not ready to die yet'!”

Sally was transferred to Twyford ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital which specialises in caring for those who have suffered a stroke and helps to rehabilitate them to be able to live well in their own home. After three months there, she was so inspired by the care she received from the team, she wanted to do something that would help.

As a former nurse herself, she understands the pressures on the NHS and wanted to raise funds for a piece of equipment that would have a meaningful impact to both staff and patients. She remembers; “When I was in hospital, I was confined to my bed and needed a hoist to help me up to use the bathroom. The ward only has one so, if you needed to get up and it was in use, you had to wait for a little bit. After some discussion with the staff that looked after me, I decided to fundraise for a second hoist to ensure that one would always be available for patients when they needed it. Any further money we raise will help to fund staff training so there’s always someone available to help.”

Once she was well enough, Sally was discharged and returned home. When she was feeling better, Sally’s family bought her an all terrain buggy so she could get up and out into the great outdoors, something she and had missed terribly while being in hospital.

It was when she was out one day that she was inspired to combine her love of travel, walking and fundraising and take on the famous pilgrimage to the Camino to help raise money to fund the new hoist.

“It’s an incredibly exciting adventure and one I’ll be taking on with my daughter,” she says. “I know I won’t be able to complete every step but I’ll try and do as much as I can and I’ll have my trusty buggy with me to help complete the rest. I’m really looking forward to it, especially as we’re so close to reaching my fundraising target.”

Sabrina Marsden, fundraising manager at Hampshire Hospitals Charity, said; “What an inspiration Sally is! After such a tough time, most people would simply be focused on themselves, but for her to use her experience to want to help others is just incredible.

“At Hampshire Hospitals Charity, we’re here to ensure that the experience of visiting or working in our hospitals is a good one, and we fund important equipment and support that sits beyond the scope of the NHS . While there is a hoist already provided on the ward, a second one will be incredibly handy for both staff and patients and I want to thank Sally, and all those who have supported her, for helping to raise funds for something that I know will be put to immediate good use.”

Sally departs for her challenge on Sunday (30 March) where she’ll cover 74km from A Coruna to Santiago de Compostells. She hopes to cross the finish line on her 85th birthday on 6 April. To support Sally in raising money to support the ward which cared for her, you can donate via her JustGiving page or you can donate via the button below.