Bethany Eason's funday raises thousands for 'truly incredible' hospital staff

Organised by Bethany Eason the event, at Mayer Hall in Bebington, raised funds for Oswald Ward at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, a specialist centre in Oswestry.

Entertainment on the day came from SingMeMerseyside choir, BSL Deaf World UK DeeSign Choir and Church Drive Primary school choir.

Recalling the day, 21-year-old Bethany told the Globe today: "It went exceptionally well. The room was full of people. It was a great day!

"We raised a grand total of £1,191.04 and counting ....

"Thank you to everyone that came and raised money.

"Church Drive Primary school's performance of This is Me in sign language was incredible. "They did themselves and their community and me proud.

"BSL Deaf World UK , Dee Sign and Sing Me Merseyside also did performances which were outstanding.

"The B and Lo reptile show also came with all their reptiles which was amazing, the children and adults loved them.

"Huge thanks to everyone who came and made it so successful!"

Among those attending were deputy mayor and mayoress, Cllr Tony and Barbara Smith.

Praising Bethany's efforts, they said "It was a privilege for us to represent Wirral at your wonderful fundraising event for Oswald Ward.”

Jen Shelton who is a member of the BSL Deaf World UK group added: "The fundraiser was such a fun day, there was a great turnout and the kids loved the reptiles and the cakes!

"It was amazing to see the children join in with signing along to This Is Me too."

In March last year Bethany, from Bebington was told the devastating news that she had a rare and aggressive tumour in her knee.

She was transferred to the Oswald ward at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), a specialist centre in Oswestry.

Praising the hospital staff Bethany, who is profoundly deaf, told the Globe recently: "They are a specialised sarcoma centre, there are only five of these in the UK.

"Wow, what a hospital."

The former student of Bebington High Sports College continued: "I could not fault a single healthcare professional, especially the night that I got admitted.

"Unfortunately, even being still in bed, my leg had broke again.

"They shared my pain when I turned their fingers blue, a nurse stayed past her shift hours when they had ended.

"The anaesthetist, who had a poorly daughter at home, came out to try and end my pain and fix things.

"There are so many others to thank; the High Dependency Unit staff, who gave me words of encouragement that I could get through it.

"All the staff who were taking it turns to hold my hand; the healthcare assistant who looked just as traumatised as I did, the nurse who pushed and pushed for things to be done to end my pain and the nurse who respected all my wishes and told my parents what was going on.

"They kept me going until my pain ended and my mum got to me.

"They were truly incredible.

"They shared some special moments with me, like the day that I stood up and took my first steps and to walking out of the hospital grounds.

"Unfortunately the trauma of what happened will stay with me, however the help and support that I received during my stay will never be forgotten and I am forever in debt to Oswald Ward.

"Our NHS and nurses don't get enough recognition and gratitude for what they do.

"Not only do they help the patient get through their journey, they help their families too.

"It makes the NHS a better place having staff like they do on Oswald Ward."

Bethany, who tirelessly campaigns on issues affecting young deaf people has been an active member of the National Deaf Children's Society, sitting on its youth advisory board.

She has also been prominent in a campaign which drew attention to unfairness of changes in the Disability Living Allowance.

Her campaigning has earned many accolades, including two humanitarian citizen awards from the Red Cross.

In 2015, she received the Princess Diana Trust award for most courageous citizen.