Cool donation to hospital cancer ward
Cancer victims feeling the heat during treatment at Lincoln County Hospital will benefit from the generosity of two former patients.
Rose Marshall and Liam Bradley have experienced first–hand how uncomfortable chemotherapy is during the heat of summer after receiving treatment on some of the year’s hottest days.
In the summer of 2024 Rose, from Belchford, attended treatment at the Ingham Suite which welcomed Liam, from South Hykeham, one year later and both found the heat unbearable.
They pledged to help get air-conditioning installed and improve conditions for patients and together have raised £10,435 for United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
Ingham Suite’s Deputy Sister Liz Timms said: “They have raised an amazing amount of money. Once installed, the new air-conditioning system on Ingham Suite will dramatically improve comfort for the hundreds of patients who spend many hours a day receiving their treatments.”
In February 2025, Liam, an Area Retail Manager for Iceland, noticed a yellow tint in his eyes. After being rushed to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, for an emergency operation on his bile duct, he received the devasting news that he had 12 tumours in his bile duct, liver and blood vessels, and a prognosis of just 12 months to live.
Liam began chemotherapy, attending sessions for the next six months, throughout what was to be one of the hottest summers on record. He recalls: “I couldn’t believe the heat. We were all struggling – nurses and patients alike. It was so uncomfortable to sit in the chairs and have chemo in these conditions.”
Determined to raise funds to install air conditioning into the ward, Liam organised a charity golf day and completed a sponsored skydive while on holiday. At the end of the year he had raised £4,730.
Rose was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer in May 2024. She explained: “The nurses were incredible, continuing to care for patients with calm professionalism despite the stifling heat. Their dedication and composure never wavered.”
When her treatment ended in November 2024, Rose reached out to her friends, family and colleagues at Tropic Skincare to support her mission and raised £5,705.
Liam and Rose, who have both responded well to their treatments, met for the first time when they visited the ward to present their donation to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. They have since become good friends and are already planning a joint fundraising event to further support enhanced care for cancer patients across Lincolnshire.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Manager, Ben Petts, was overjoyed with the donation: “Rose and Liam have used their experiences of being patients to support an addition that will benefit many more patients in the future. To be able to combine their fundraising achievements for the same goal is wonderful and we give our absolute thanks.”
Picture shows Liam Bradley and Rose Marshall presenting their donation to Ingham Suite’s Deputy Sister Liz Timms.