Resident at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability Wins Civic Award for Raising Over £70,000

15 November 2010
Deirdre Tydd, a resident at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN), was presented with a civic award on Wednesday 10 November by the Mayor of Wandsworth in recognition of her outstanding fundraising efforts. The award ceremony, held in the Civic Suite, recognised four Wandsworth residents’ voluntary contributions to the Borough.
 
Deirdre has raised over £70,000 since making the RHN her home in 1987, having come from Ireland when in her early 30s. Deirdre, who has little movement below the neck, and controls her wheelchair using a chin-controlled joystick, was thrilled to receive the award, she says: "It was a lovely surprise. The evening was just perfect and I had an amazing time.”
 
Angus Somerville, Chief Executive of the RHN, who also attended the awards with Deirdre, says: “Deirdre really deserves recognition for what she has done for our community. In the last twenty years she has fundraised tirelessly for her fellow residents and patients. This year alone, Deirdre raised a staggering £15,400, to raise funds for the RHN employee Lolo Leyenda who has just completed his 25th marathon! Deirdre really is an inspiration to us all.”

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Notes to editors

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is a national medical charity helping people who have suffered severe damage to the brain. Some have been in car accidents, been mugged or might simply have fallen down stairs. Others have had a stroke, a heart attack, or have an illness affecting their brain such as Multiple-Sclerosis or Huntingdon’s disease.
 
The RHN offers an extensive range of rehabilitation and long-term care services, including specialist therapies and state of the art technology - giving the people we care for the best possible quality of life, whatever their level of ability. www.rhn.org.uk

For further information, please contact Kate Lister, PR & New Media Co-ordinator on 020 8785 7844 or klister@rhn.org.uk