Devon woman raised thousands walking around RD&E

Jane Morton walked 80-miles around the hospital

A Hospital meet and greet volunteer from Devon has completed a super 80-mile walking challenge in aid of Royal Devon Hospitals Charity’s Super Theatre Appeal.

Jane Morton walked daily loops of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) for 10 days, talking to patients and visitors about the charity’s fundraising appeal, as well as collecting donations.

Jane, from the Teign Valley, set off on March 19 and finished her walk on March 28, her daily walks around the hospital and grounds each taking nearly four hours to complete.

She said she decided to take on the challenge ahead of her 80th birthday on April 10 and was ‘overwhelmed’ by people’s generosity, having raised more than £2,000 for the Super Theatre Appeal.

Jane Morton who has been volunteering at the RD&E with her husband for four years said: “It’s an amazing amount of money and I’m delighted to have been able to raise so much for this wonderful charity,”

“Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has secured some tremendous funding from the NHS to get this new ‘super theatre’ up and running but that will only go so far, so that is why Royal Devon Hospitals Charity is raising £1.4m towards the equipment needed for this wonderful theatre.”

The new state-of-the-art operating theatre is currently being built at the RD&E and will enable surgeons to perform complex procedures and diagnostic imaging at the same time, reducing the need for open surgery, multiple operations and travel out of area.

 Debbie Allen, RDHC community fundraiser said: “It will revolutionise the type of surgery the hospital can provide,”

“For patients it will mean fewer procedures, reduced risk of complications, faster recovery times after surgery, and less time in hospital. This new theatre will enable the RD&E to treat around 1,200 extra patients a year in Devon, reducing waiting times for everyone, including cancer patients.

“It will do so much for patients across Devon and the money Jane has raised will take us one step closer to making this exciting project a reality. We’re so grateful for Jane’s support and would like to wish her a very happy 80th birthday.”

To find out more about the Super Theatre Appeal or to make a donation, visit www.royaldevoncharity.org.uk/super-theatre-appeal