Why Being an Ambassador for Nottingham Hospitals Charity Means So Much to Me

Becoming an Ambassador for Nottingham Hospitals Charity is something I’m incredibly proud of, but for me, this isn’t just a title. It’s deeply personal. My connection with the charity goes back over a decade, to one of the most emotional and uncertain times in our lives, the premature birth of our son, Albert.

Where It All Began

When Albert was born early, he spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. As parents, that experience is something you never forget. You’re placed into a world you didn’t expect, surrounded by incredible professionals doing extraordinary work.

While Albert received round-the-clock care, my wife Ruby was also being supported following complications. In those moments, you realise just how vital our hospitals, and the people in them, really are. That experience stayed with us. It’s why, a couple of years later, we took on our first fundraising challenge, running the Nottingham 10k to say thank you. It was never about the distance or the time, it was about gratitude.

From Fundraising to Ambassador

Over the years, that “thank you” turned into something much bigger.

In 2022, I pushed myself further than ever, taking on ten fundraising challenges in one year, raising over £3,000 for the Neonatal Unit. Nottingham Forest Community Trust played a part in that journey too, and it became a year I’ll never forget. After that, I realised there are many other ways to give back. So I shifted from fundraising to volunteering, giving my time instead. Whether it was helping at events, supporting sessions at Hayward House, or just being present where needed, I found a different kind of reward in simply showing up. That journey led to me being named the charity’s first Ambassador as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations, something I don’t take lightly.

Why This Role Is Different

What makes this role so meaningful is that I’ve seen every side of it.

I’ve been:

• A grateful parent

• A fundraiser

• A volunteer

• And, in 2024, a patient myself

That full-circle experience gives me a perspective that’s hard to put into words. The charity doesn’t just fund buildings or equipment, it helps create moments of care, dignity, and humanity when people need it most. Across the last 20 years, the charity has raised millions to support patients, families, and NHS staff, funding everything from research to better hospital environments. And I’ve seen first-hand what that actually means in real life.

Reflecting on the Impact Evening

Last night, I attended the first Impact Evening hosted by the charity, and it really brought everything into focus again. The event brought together supporters, businesses, and NHS teams in one room to share stories, insights, and the real impact of charitable funding. What stood out most wasn’t just the information, it was the connection.

Hearing directly from frontline teams, understanding how funding translates into better care, and seeing people from different backgrounds united by a common purpose, it reminded me why this matters so much. These evenings aren’t just about networking, they’re about perspective. They show that behind every donation, every fundraiser, every volunteer hour, there’s a real human impact.

More Than Charity - It’s Personal

For me, this will always be more than charity work.

It’s about:

• The nurses who cared for our son

• The teams who supported my wife

• The people who helped save my life

• And the countless families going through their own version of those moments right now

Being an Ambassador gives me a platform to share that story. B

ut more importantly, it gives me the opportunity to help others understand just how vital this work is.

Because at some point, for many of us, it stops being “someone else’s story”…

…and becomes our own.