Ray has experienced his own personal battles with depression and anxiety during his adult life, and during a particular crisis point, it was the teams in both A&E and ICU at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) who brought him back from the brink.
Having come back from some dark moments, Ray is able to help others working as a full-time member of the mental health crisis team at the PRUH.
Ray’s personal reasons for walking the Great Hospital Hike go beyond the life-saving care he received. In January 2021, his wife caught Covid, her condition deteriorated and it became uncertain whether she would pull through at all. Throughout this time the support and overwhelming kindness shown to her from every member of the team at the PRUH; doctors, nursing staff, those that brought her meals or did the tea rounds, cleaning staff, showed a level of dedication, care, compassion & kindness, which went far beyond any professional duty of care.
Through their care and attention to detail, staff helped to raise his wife's spirits, especially when she felt particularly low, scared, vulnerable, and without those she was close to with her. Following 3 weeks of intensive care and treatment at the PRUH she returned home and is now working for the London Ambulance Service.
Join us at the Great Hospital Hike in 2023
If you missed this year's Great Hospital Hike, don't worry! The hike will be taking place again next year, on Saturday 16 September. Keep an eye out on our website for more information.