IT Consultant trekking Mount Everest for St Mary's Intensive Care Unit

IT Consultant trekking Mount Everest for St Mary's Intensive Care Unit

26 September 2017

Andy Reynolds' brother, Martin, was treated at the hospital after a motor scooter accident left him with serious injuries, including damage to his spinal cord and a fractured neck. After a gruelling 8-hour operation and several weeks on a ventilator, Martin is on the long road to recovery and his family is positive about the outcome.

 Andy wants to repay the team that made such a huge difference and next month he’ll join the 18-day Everest Base Camp trek, reaching an altitude of 5546 metres and climbing five summits.

 “It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this. It’s quite intense. I spent 3 hours in the gym this morning. I’m stepping up the training because there isn’t long to go.”

 Every penny of the money raised will go to improving care in the ICU and some of it is earmarked for a piece of equipment that made a big difference to Martin.

“When Martin came off the ventilator from the tracheostomy his cough wasn’t strong enough to clear his lungs and that was causing problems,” said Andy.

 His recovery was helped by a ‘coughing machine’ and some of the money raised will buy an additional one for the unit.

 “It made a hell of a difference because it enabled me to cough without being assisted,” said Martin. “The only other way is to push your stomach but that can hurt after a while if you do it so many times. It helps, but they’re not cheap.”

 “The level of care that Martin had from all of the staff was brilliant,” said Andy. “There have been good days and bad days but throughout that period the care and attention has been fantastic.”

 Martin echoed his brother’s praise, saying: “The level of care has been absolutely unbelievable. I’m on first name terms with virtually all of the nurses and some of the doctors as well!”

 If you’d like to sponsor Andy, you can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-reynolds6