So... I completed my first GNR back in 2017 for A Gift of Kindness Fund at Newcastle Hospitals and I can quite honestly say it was the best experience of my life! I went from not being able to run to the end of my street to smashing out 13 miles. What got me through it? Well it really was all the motivation and support I received from you lot my friends/family/colleagues. You all believed in me and my passion to raise as much money as I possibly could for A Gift of Kindness Fund supporting End of Life Care at Newcastle Hospitals. I crossed that finish line feeling a mixture of emotions- pride, a sense of achievement and excitement at the difference every one of your donations would make! 

Thanks to the support of a combination of my team and close family/friends I have progressed into a lead role within the service supporting end of life care and most importantly developing the service with the help of A Gift of Kindness Fund. This and life have kept me busy meaning those running shoes have been dust collecting for too long and I am ready to take on the challenge of the GNR 2019! With your help I know I can push myself through the training and smash it- l will keep you up to date with how training is going and lets try and beat 2017's grand total for sponsorship!!!!!!

A Gift of Kindness fund continues to provide the hospital site Palliative/End of Life Teams and Chaplaincy Teams with 'Comfort Packs' for family/friends staying at the bedside of patients in both the RVI and Freeman Hospital. The simple but recognisable brown paper bag holds a selection of items for patients loved ones including; neck pillow, blanket, toiletries, puzzle books, tissues, snacks to name just a few. Packs are topped up with non-standard items individualised to the family. 

The fund has also continued to provide the supplies our teams have available when caring for patients with younger families/friends. We have a selection of story books to read to children of various ages to understand death/dying/bereavement. We have access to 'Memory Boxes'- a simple white box which can be designed and filled with special memories. Most recently the fund purchased a supply of small cuddly toys; this came on the back of one of our End of Life Healthcare Assistants supporting a child on one of the wards to have the toy snuggled in with Mummy and then have all the memories of that time to take home and keep. 

With your support for A Gift of Kindness Fund we can continue to provide those little things that make a big difference for patients and their loved ones. 

Thank you

Lizzy Zabrocki- Nurse Specialist End of Life Care 

(for my colleagues)

Lizzy Zab's or Zab's

(for my friends and most of my family)

Elizabeth Ann Zabrocki 

(for my Mam/Dad and in memory of my Nana Stout) 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Reference: NUT/0000017356/000000181