A south-east London woman has undertaken a charity abseil to raise money for St Thomas’ hospital, where her mother made a “miraculous” recovery after suffering a heart attack and two strokes last year.
Natasha Barreto’s mother Judy, who runs a hair salon in Welling, had to be placed into an induced coma earlier this year and spent two weeks in St Thomas’ intensive care unit.
Natasha, 34, and three other family members abseiled off St Thomas’ last Saturday (September 11) as part of a £2,000 fundraising effort. They have raised more than half that so far.
She said: “Mum was extremely ill. She spent six weeks in intensive care and a further two weeks at St Thomas’. As a family we were absolutely heartbroken, but as each day passed, we were so comforted watching all of the incredible staff take such good care of mum.
“We will never forget their endless kindness and compassion during their long shifts away from their own families, especially throughout the night we were called to the hospital to say goodbye as they did not think mum would make it until the morning.
Daredevil physiotherapist to abseil 160 feet down St Thomas’ to raise money for the hospital
“At a time when there is so much uncertainty, the ICU staff gave us peace of mind each day, knowing mum was safe in their hands. We will never be able to thank them enough for saving her and will be forever in their debt. Without their care, mum wouldn’t be here.”
While in St Thomas’ Judy was put onto a machine that helped her breathe properly, called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
One of Judy’s doctors was Dr Chris Meadows, intensive care, anaesthesia and ECMO consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’, who had also recently taken part in a charity abseil.
Natasha said: “All of mum’s consultants were incredible, and mum made a miraculous turnaround while she was under Dr Meadows’ care. He gave her time, explained everything thoroughly to us and answered our long list of questions and concerns.”
Dr Meadows said before the abseil: “I’m delighted that Judy has recovered after being so unwell. I wish her and her family all the best for the future. We’re grateful to them for taking part in the abseil, and hope they enjoy themselves. From experience I know the hardest bit is stepping off the top!”
Natasha said last week she and her family are looking forward to the challenge, adding: “As a family, we promised we would fundraise for the hospital, to thank them for saving mum. When we heard about the chance to abseil down the hospital, we couldn’t think of a better adventure.
“As the daredevil of the family, I’ve done bungee jumps and descended the Orbit in Stratford before, but this will be extra special, having my family by my side and below cheering us on.”
There were 450 people taking part in the St Thomas’ annual abseil challenge over two days this year – 10 and 11 September. This included senior physiotherapist Suzanne Roberts, who is celebrating her retirement after 40 years in the NHS, whose story we reported last month.