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BEWT Charity Fundraising Leads to Two New Roles at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital

The Caple team has a longstanding commitment to charitable fundraising, supporting initiatives such as the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning. However, in 2021, the company's charitable activities took on a new purpose following the sudden passing of Billie Wood, the beloved daughter of Caple Service Director Richard Wood. Billie's tragic death was a result of a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), a condition that occurred without warning signs or pre-existing health conditions when she was just 25 years old.

The Caple family, deeply affected by this loss, rallied together to offer comfort and support, establishing the Billie Elizabeth Wood Trust (BEWT) to fund research into the trauma that led to Billie's untimely death. Their fundraising efforts, in collaboration with BEWT, have now contributed to the creation of two crucial specialist subarachnoid haemorrhage research roles at Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.

New Additions from Press Release
Joint Fundraising Success

In a recent press release, it was revealed that the joint efforts of Caple and BEWT raised over £265,000, leading to the appointment of two new specialist research staff at Southmead Hospital. The researchers will focus on subarachnoid haemorrhage and vasospasm, aiming to drive groundbreaking improvements in this field of medicine.

Additional Contribution from Sirius Buying Group

Part of this substantial sum, £12,000, was generated through a charity auction at Sirius Buying Group’s 2023 trade show awards gala dinner. This event showcased the supportive business partnerships that have played a vital role in BEWT's fundraising initiatives.

Continued Charitable Endeavors
Over the past few years, the Caple team, along with friends and family, has engaged in various fundraising events, including the Hadrian’s Wall Walk and the Thames Rowing Challenge. These efforts have raised significant funds for Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity of North Bristol NHS Trust, supporting the creation of the new research positions.

Research Roles Allocated
The funds raised have enabled the Southmead Hospital Charity to allocate resources for two critical research roles: a vasospasm research nurse and a research facilitator. These positions, submitted as part of a proposal by consultant neurosurgeon Crispin Wigfield, aim to establish a dedicated vasospasm research team.

Vasospasm Research Nurse - Ryan Leese

Ryan Leese, the newly appointed vasospasm research nurse, brings over ten years of intensive care experience to the role. His responsibilities include setting up studies and trials, enrolling patients, and collating essential data for analysis. Ryan's firsthand experience caring for SAH patients underscores the urgent need for evidence-based care and motivated his dedication to this under-researched area.

Research Facilitator - Humza Saeed

Humza Saeed, the research facilitator, will collaborate with the Neurosurgery team to identify areas for focused research on vasospasm and SAH. His role involves seeking potential funding avenues, setting up research teams, and supporting Southmead in becoming a center of excellence for vasospasm research.

Impact on Research and Patient Care
Crispin Wigfield, expressing his delight at the new research team appointments, emphasizes the potential for these roles to contribute to broader, larger-scale research projects. The goal is to enhance the understanding of vasospasm and subarachnoid haemorrhage, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients on a national scale.

Conclusion
The dedication of Caple and BEWT to fundraising for crucial research has not only honored the memory of Billie Wood but has also made a tangible impact on medical research and patient care. As the new research team begins its work, there is hope for a future where the knowledge gained will spare other families the pain of losing a loved one to subarachnoid haemorrhage.

If you would like to donate to BEWT to support research into subarachnoid haemorrhage, please click [here](insert link).