Memorial football match raises money for life-saving device
A family from Rotherham have raised an incredible £600 to support patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) by holding a football match and raffle in memory of their beloved Karl Swift.
Karl was admitted to QEHB in September 2016 with serious head injuries following an attack in the West Midlands and was treated on the Critical Care Unit. Sadly, Karl passed away two days later, surrounded by his family.
Karl was a popular character in his local community and was especially well-known for his love of the beautiful game, playing for a number of teams in the local area. A close friend of Karl’s thought that it would be a great idea to hold a charity match in his name, awarding the Karl Swift Memorial Trophy to the winners and sending the monies raised to a charity of the family’s choice.
The second Karl Swift Memorial Trophy was held and with a raffle taking place after the game an incredible £600 was raised. Karl’s family decided that the money should go to the Critical Care Unit at QEHB who looked after Karl in his final hours.
The family decided that they wanted the donation to go toward QEHB Charity’s Mobile CT scanner appeal which is going to help bring a new, mobile scanner to the hospital. The new scanner will be used to get images of critically injured patients, without them needing to make the potentially risky journey to the radiography department.
Karl’s brother, Daniel, said: “As a family we are certain that Karl would be very proud of the donation that has been made in his name. We’re pleased that he has been able to leave a legacy for the hospital in his own special way.
“The staff on the Critical Care Unit are wonderful so it means a lot to us to be able to help their department by donating the money to this important cause.”
Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising for QEHB Charity said: “I would like to thank Karl’s family on behalf of the Charity for the amazing amount of money that they have raised to support patients at the hospital.
“From the tragic circumstances of Karl’s death, his family have built an incredible legacy for him that will last long into the future. The donation that they have made to QEHB Charity will go a long way to bringing this new piece of equipment to the hospital that will be of great benefit to those patients who need it.”
If you would like to learn more about the Mobile CT Scanner, or to donate to the appeal, go to qehb.org/mobile-ct-scanner
