Help fund a new knee for Debbie, our charity's champion
By John Hambly OBE
As the Founding Trustee of the Samson Centre for MS in Guildford and one of the hundreds of people who benefit from the charity’s services, I felt compelled to establish this fundraising page relating to the health of our wonderful Centre Manager, Debbie Boulter.
Debbie joined us about 18 months ago, following 21 years with the Cherry Trees children's charity and has simply transformed the way that the Centre operates. She is an absolute joy to work with and has an ability to make everyone feel very special, whether that is a Trustee, member of staff, service user or someone visiting for the first time. Her contribution to the daily running of the Samson Centre is just immense and goes well beyond a regular 9-to-5 job. She is without doubt the linchpin of our charity.
And yet, Debbie has achieved all of this despite being born with most of her fingers either missing or shortened owing to her mother contracting German measles during pregnancy. Over the years she has endured several operations to increase the use of her hands which has given her an incredible determination to get on with life. By going into local schools and conducting talks about her disability, she has used her story to empower so many children to overcome their difficulties whether visible or hidden.
However, it has become all too clear in recent months that severe osteoarthritis in her left knee is causing immense discomfort which is seriously affecting her ability to carry out day-to-day tasks at the charity and at home. Still, her professionalism, natural effervescence and dedication to the Centre means that she puts on a brave face and presses on with things.
In September 2024, Debbie was informed by her consultant that a full knee replacement operation would be required but that it may take up to 18 months before this procedure could be done. I am aware that she is taking a lot of painkillers, sometimes even morphine, to enable her to get some relief from the pain. I am very concerned that she is having to do this in order to come to work, let alone run a household which is further complicated by the fact that her son, Archie, has an ASD diagnosis.
On 14 October 2024, I emailed Debbie`s MP, Jeremy Hunt, to ascertain whether his intervention might assist in bringing forward Debbie’s knee surgery, not only to relieve her pain but also to allay Archie’s fears and anxieties. He responded immediately and kindly wrote to the Patient Advisory and Liaison Service who in turn contacted the hospital’s Trauma and Orthopaedic department, only to be informed that Debbie`s case would not be expedited, mainly due to the lengthy waiting list for similar surgical procedures on the NHS.
And so, to the point of this appeal. Debbie urgently requires knee surgery and, with the current logjam in the NHS, the only other option open to her is for this to be carried out privately. Therefore, with her agreement, I am launching this crowdfunding page in the hope that sufficient funds will be raised for her knee replacement and post-operative physiotherapy. Total costs are estimated at £15,000.
Thank you so much for reading this page and supporting Debbie`s appeal. Of course, it means a huge amount to her but is also greatly appreciated by her family, friends and everybody associated with the Samson Centre for MS.