UHNM Nurse of 30 years wins £10,000 kitchen makeover competition

An University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) nurse of 30 years will soon be the proud owner of a brand-new kitchen thanks to UHNM Charity.

Dolores Blagborough’s name was chosen at random from thousands of entrants to receive a £10,000 kitchen makeover after entering the hospital charity’s text-to-enter competition.

Dolores, who works as a Pre-Assessment Sister at County Hospital in Stafford said winning the competition was ‘huge’ for her.

She said: “Generally I don’t do competitions so when I got the call I couldn’t even remember I’d entered. But I did because I’m retiring at the end of September and a new kitchen is on my to-do list so I can have a new kitchen once I’ve retired. So I thought go on, for a pound let’s see what happens, and I didn’t think for a minute I’d win. I’ve had the kitchen for 20 years and it’s starting to look a bit old and tired - a bit like me!

“I’ve already started to have a flick through some brochures for inspiration and my daughters have said they’ll help plan it with me.”

Dolores who’s from Stafford works in the Pre-Admission Management Service (Pre-Ams) making sure patients who are booked in for elective surgery are safe to have their operations.

She said: “I’ve worked at County Hospital for 30 years and have been doing this job for about 20 years. The best bit about the role is of course the patients and seeing them from a different angle. When I was working on the wards at the beginning of my career I was looking after them because they’d had something done like surgery, so I’m now seeing them at the start of their journey and making sure that they’re safe and reassured.

“My colleagues have said it’s just nice that they know somebody who has won, because you hear about competitions and don’t really know who’s won them so it’s been really good.”

UHNM Charity have teamed up with WDPS Stoke, LD Property, Tile Central UK, Howdens Joinery, SMART Electrical and DC Plumbing to offer the prize to members of the public and UHNM staff.

Danny Bowers, Tile Central managing director, said: “We’re delighted that that competition has a deserving winner like Dolores and can’t wait to get started on her dream kitchen. Having previously donated a £5,000 bathroom as a competition prize we wanted to go even bigger and better with this competition whilst raising some vital funds for the work of UHNM Charity.”

Proceeds from the competition will go towards the charity’s work improving the patient care and experience at UHNM.

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications and Charity at UHNM said: “I’m delighted that Dolores, a member of staff for 30 years will be able to enjoy her retirement in her new kitchen thanks to our charity supporters. I’m very grateful they have very kindly donated this incredible prize that will make a massive difference to the life of somebody that has given UHNM so much.”

Local businesses and organisations wishing to show their support to UHNM Charity are encouraged to contact the UHNM Charity team on 01782 676444 or email charity@uhnm.nhs.uk.