Local family raises £10k for Exeter hospital garden appeal

A local family has raised nearly £10 thousand to give back to the hospital that saved their father’s life.

Jim Carpenter, 70, from Starcross, near Exeter, underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital earlier this year. He later developed sepsis and spent several weeks in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, or ICU.

Mr Carpenter’s son, Ben, said the family were grateful for the “outstanding care, compassion, and dedication shown by every member of the ICU team”.

“They supported not only our dad, but our entire family, with kindness, professionalism, and genuine compassion,” said Ben.

The grandfather-of-12 was discharged from hospital in September, the same month his family held a fundraiser at the Starcross Royal British Legion.

Together, with support from the community, they raised £9,445 for the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity to help transform a corner of the Royal Devon and Exeter into a garden for ICU patients.

“We spent many hours in the hospital and spotted a banner about the appeal and felt like the fundraiser was the perfect way to give something back to the incredible team who have given so much to our family,” Ben added.

“Dad was taken outside on two or three occasions but it was far from ideal and we all agreed what a difference a garden would make.”

The charity estimates the cost of the new garden to be £160 thousand, and say the money raised by Mr Carpenter’s family will provide a welcome “boost”.

Once complete, it will provide a “peaceful green space” for critically ill patients who are unable to leave their hospital beds.

“For people fighting for their lives in Intensive Care, days can stretch into weeks without ever feeling the sun or breathing fresh air. This garden will change that,” said ICU Garden project lead Andrew Lockwood.

“We know that an accessible outside space like this will make such a big difference to our patients and studies show that it can help speed up their recovery.”

Debbie Allen, Royal Devon Hospitals Charity community fundraiser, added: “Jim’s family have done an incredible job and it’s thanks to support like theirs that this wonderful project is becoming a reality.

“It was very special to see Jim and his children and grandchildren present their fundraising cheque to ICU staff.

“It has been a challenging and emotional few months for the family and it was also a lovely moment for them to be able to come back to the hospital to see progress on the garden and to thank staff for the incredible care that Jim had received.”

Work on the new garden is already underway. You can donate to the fundraiser here.