In 2009, at the age of 66, Peter Poole was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). Peter supports Above & Beyond on a monthly basis to say thank you to the staff at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) for his care.

“It was quite a shock when I was diagnosed, as I had previously thought of myself as very fit. The staff at BHOC were so very helpful and took great pains to reassure me and explain clearly the details of my condition. The amount of friendly support I received was excellent during subsequent chemotherapy and an emergency admission to hospital due to a chest infection.

“It was only after this that I became aware of Above & Beyond, and realised it was an excellent way of being able to give a little something back as a thank you for all the care I’ve had in the past and still continue to receive, as my condition is ongoing. Setting up an annual donation by Direct Debit was a very easy way to contribute and I’ve also tried to respond to any appeals to fund specific items. I then wondered about other ways of fundraising that didn’t include jumping out of aircraft or cycling across the Sahara!

“For some years I’ve acquired cameras of the pre-digital era from the early 20th Century up to about the 1960s, and as some of these are now quite ‘collectable’, I wondered if Above & Beyond would be interested in them as a potential fundraiser at some time in the future. My enquiry was met with enthusiasm and so provision will be made for this small collection to be passed on one day.”

A big thank you to Peter for his generous support.

If you would like to support Bristol city centre hospitals, you can make a regular gift here or leave a gift in your will.