Lincolnshire cancer patients raise more than £10,000 for cooling at Lincoln County Hospital

Two Lincolnshire cancer patients who experienced chemotherapy treatment during intense summer heat have helped turn a difficult experience into practical support for others at Lincoln County Hospital. Rose Marshall, from Belchford near Horncastle, and Liam Bradley, from South Hykeham, have raised a combined £10,435 for air conditioning in the Ingham Suite, where cancer patients receive treatment. Their fundraising was inspired by time spent on the unit during periods of extreme heat, when both patients and staff were coping with uncomfortable conditions. For readers in Lincolnshire, the story will strike a familiar chord.

Lincoln County Hospital serves communities across a wide part of the county, and for many families it is a place closely associated with some of life’s most challenging moments. In this case, two former patients have chosen to give something back in a way that could make treatment more bearable for those who follow them. Marshall attended the Ingham Suite for treatment in the summer of 2024. Bradley underwent six months of treatment there a year later, during what the source report described as one of the hottest summers on record.

Both said the heat inside the unit was extremely hard to manage. Bradley said he was shocked by how hot it became, with patients and nurses alike struggling in the conditions. Marshall also praised staff for continuing their work with calm professionalism despite what she described as stifling heat. Their efforts were directed to the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, with the aim of funding a cooling system for the unit.

According to the hospital charity, the total raised by the pair came to £10,435. The deputy sister of the unit, Liz Timms, said the installation would make a major difference to patient comfort. That is likely to be welcomed by many across Lincolnshire, where hospital journeys can already involve long days, repeat appointments and emotional strain for patients and relatives. Although Marshall and Bradley were both raising money for the same cause, they only met when they visited the ward to present their donations.

Since then, they have become friends and are now planning a joint fundraising event to provide further support for cancer patients in the area. Ben Petts, from the hospital charity, said it was encouraging to see two people use their own experiences as patients to support an improvement that would help many others. At a local level, it is a reminder that community fundraising in Lincolnshire often grows from direct experience. In this case, a period of discomfort during treatment has led to a lasting contribution for future patients attending one of the county’s key hospital services.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.