Family donate iPads to ICU

Family and friends of Sam Bishop paid a special visit to Penrose Intensive Care Unit last week (Thursday 30 April), to generously donate five iPads to the unit and to thank staff for the care he had received whilst staying at Derriford Hospital.

In July 2014, Sam spent almost six weeks on Penrose, before being moved to Burrator Ward and then to Mount Gould Hospital.

Throughout this time, Sam’s family launched the ‘Thumb’s Adventure’ campaign to raise money for the Spring Intensive Care charity, which supports our intensive care unit, using Sam’s smiley face tattoo on his knee as inspiration.

The campaign asked people to draw a smiley face on their thumb and take a ‘selfie’ before donating to the campaign’s JustGiving page.

In total, £1,600.00 was raised, which allowed the family to purchase five iPads that have special technology on, to help those who need help to communicate whilst on the unit.

The iPads are also used for education, as they allow families to read about various conditions and gain further knowledge and also contain a friends and family questionnaire, allowing staff to gain feedback.

Susan Martin, Sam’s mum said: “We wanted to give something back, as the staff were extraordinary, they never gave up on him. Buying the iPads will hopefully allow staff to be able to communicate much easier with patients that struggle to speak.

“When Sam was staying on the unit, the staff made it possible for me to get onto the bed and cuddle him, which was really lovely. Everyone was fantastic and Sam wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. We can never thank them enough.”

If you would like to donate to the Thumb’s Adventure campaign, please visit the JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/thumb