School raises over 20k for Charing Cross Hospital
School raises over 20k for Charing Cross Hospital
13 November 2024
Earlier this year, Orley Farm School in Harrow decided to fundraisie to thank staff at Charing Cross Hospital, for saving the life of Panorea Baka.
Panorea's husband Stavros is a teacher at the school and their son is a pupil there. Panorea, who had a brain tumour and receives ongoing care for epilepsy, attended a special school assembly where pupils presented us and NHS clinicians with a giant cheque!
Half of the funds will be allocated to the neurology department for epilepsy medical training and education. With these funds, lecture theatre will be upgraded with cutting-edge AV equipment, which will enable colleagues working in other hospitals in north west London to join meetings and contribute to discussions. This will enhance learning opportunities and will have a meaningful educational impact for neurology trainees across north west London.
The rest of the funds will be allocated to the neurosurgery department to help neurosurgeons expand their use of innovative mixed reality technology in order to improve both training and patient care. These can be used to better explain proposed treatments to patients in consultations and provide immersive clinical training to current and upcoming neurosurgeons.
Panorea said: “I am so pleased that, four years on from my diagnosis, we are able to give something back to the people and the hospital who have, and continue to have, such an impact on our lives."
Tim Calvey, headteacher at Orley Farm School said: “Each year, we invite pupils, parents and teachers to share personal stories of impact from charities for us to support. For 2024, we're delighted to have raised funds for Imperial Health Charity, which directly supports Charing Cross Hospital and four other hospitals across north west London."
Imperial Health Charity's CEO, Ian Lush OBE said, "“We are so grateful to Orley Farm for choosing to fundraise for us. The money they have raised will make a significant impact to the neurosurgery department at Charing Cross Hospital and the mixed reality technology the team are pioneering.
“Imperial Health Charity rely on people like Panorea and her husband, Stavros and the school. Their inspirational fundraising efforts will continue to create a long-lasting positive difference for patients using neurological services.”
You can find out more information about how VR technology is changing neurosurgery here.
Panorea and her husband Stavros both live and work as teachers in north west London. Four years ago, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, their lives changed forever when Panorea was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Following three lifesaving operations at Charing Cross Hospital, Panorea seemed to be on the path to recovery. But, a year after her brain tumour diagnosis and resection, she started experiencing seizures and was diagnosed with acquired epilepsy. She receives exceptional care and support for this lifelong condition from the neurology department at Charing Cross Hospital.
The Orley Farm School community were inspired by Panorea's story and decided to raise money for us, which directly supports Charing Cross Hospital, both as a thank you and to support other patients like Panorea.
