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Arctic Adventurers set to take on survival challenge in aid of UHCW Charity

17 January 2025

Fourteen intrepid adventurers from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) and our local community are taking on an Arctic survival challenge to raise funds for UHCW Charity.

In February, the group will head to northernmost part of Sweden, where they will put their survival skills to the test.

After a couple of days acclimatising to the cold: they will learn to make fires and how to catch fish in icy waters, before building shelters and beds from branches and wood, whilst also digging a snow hole to sleep in.

The group will sleep outside for three nights in the Swedish wilderness, where the temperatures can drop to as low as -30°c, challenging even the hardiest participants.

UHCW Charity Director, Jo O'Sullivan said: "The amazing work of our teams at UHCW save lives every day - I am always bowled over by their hard work and dedication.

"I have no idea how I am going to survive sleeping outside in -30 degrees with the Brown Bears, Elk and Moose - but I'm hoping not to get frostbite and come back with all my fingers and toes!"

Some of the participants got together to take on a seven mile country training walk recently, to help prepare for their Arctic test.

Please view the list below for those taking part in the challenge, along with their donation links (if donating):

Jo O’Sullivan (Charity Director)

Ranga Rao (Diabetes and Endocrinology) 

Heather Tysall (Consultant Nurse Acute Medicine)

Cheryl Johnson (AHP Digital Lead)

Amie Burbridge (Acute Medicine Consultant)

Gorana Kovacevic (Consultant in Infectious Diseases)

Steven Laird (Consultant, Clinical Lead in Biochemistry and Immunology)

Hannah O’Sullivan (Trusts Officer, UHCW Charity)

Hemali Kanji (Consultant, Clinical Lead Renal Services)

Peter Tyler (Local businessman)

Tom Cullingford (Local businessman and Charity Supporter)

Hazel Jones (local businesswoman)

Jayne Lloyd (West Midlands Police staff)

Sarah Tripp (Local GP)

All funds raised will go to each individual's chosen department and all participants places on this trip are self funded.


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We are pleased to invite applications from experienced Band 5 Registered Nurses to join our dedicated Community Nursing Team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking service delivering high-quality care to people across our local communities.

As a Community Nurse, you will play a vital role in supporting patients to remain safe, independent, and well within their own homes. You will work within a compassionate and highly skilled multidisciplinary team, helping to shape the future of community healthcare and improve patient outcomes.

This position offers a varied and rewarding experience, with care delivered across both patients’ homes and community clinic settings. You will be entrusted with managing your own caseload and delivering personalised, evidence-based care that meets the individual needs of each patient.

You’ll be supported by a collaborative team environment that values professional development, autonomy, and high standards of patient care.

The key responsibilities within this role are:

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This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing your career in a rewarding and community-focused environment.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click here to apply.

For more information about this role, please contact Claire Lloyd, Lead Nurse for Recruitment: claire.lloyd@uhcw.nhs.uk

 

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