Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/diane-smith75
On Easter Sunday, Kevin Smith, a beloved colleague at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), passed away following treatment for Covid-19.
A Plaster Technician at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and a valued and respected member of the team since 1983, Kev, as he was known to friends, cared for thousands of patients throughout his career. So well-known and thought of was the Doncaster resident that he was often stopped and thanked whenever he was out and about by those he had so expertly patched-up, potted and plastered.
Following the announcement of Kevin’s passing, thousands of colleagues across DBTH came together and clapped for him for one minute. This was in addition to the countless messages left on Facebook, describing him at the town’s ‘very best pot man’ amongst other heartfelt tributes.
Channelling her efforts into such a worthwhile project, Diane Smith, Kev’s wife, has launched a Just Giving appeal in her husband’s honour, to raise money for much-needed wheelchairs at the Trust.
Speaking about the fundraising campaign, Diane said: “Kev spent many years in plaster due to a congenital abnormality of his lower leg, and in 1982 took the decision to have it amputated. From a very early age he knew exactly what it was like to experience mobility problems.
“It was with this in mind that I decided to ask for donations in memory of my husband which will be put towards the cost of new wheelchairs for DBTH. Kev was always complaining he could never find wheelchairs for patients and when he did he always said that they had a mind of their own.
“Over the years this Trust has been good to our family, so the least we can do in Kev’s memory is raise as much money as we can so patients and staff will have access to a wheelchair wherever and whenever they need one.”
The initial appeal, called ‘Kev’s Wheels’ went live on Just Giving on Sunday 3 May with a target of £5,000. In just a few hours, and at the time of writing, the page has already surpassed its goal and is now beyond £10,000. Alongside this fundraiser, the Trust is looking into creating a memorial garden which will be dedicated to Kevin, Dr Medhat Atalla (another colleague who has sadly recently died) and all those affected by Covid-19.
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at DBTH, said: “As a team we were truly and utterly heartbroken to mark the passing of Kevin on Easter Sunday. As has been shared by innumerable local people who benefitted from his care, Kevin was compassionate, warm and extremely skilled. He was a credit to our hospitals and the NHS and we will miss him every single day.
“On a personal note, I am so full of admiration for Diane, and her wider family, who have dealt with their loss with such incredible grace and strength. Now that they are setting their sights on fundraising for our hospitals and patients for such a worthy cause, I am lost for words – all I can say is thank you from the very bottom of my heart.”
If you wish to support the Kev’s Wheels appeal, click the following link and donate, your support is hugely appreciated: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/diane-smith75