Remembering Carl Millen

Many people associated with our school will remember the desperately sad events of 2006 when Carl died following a road accident a few weeks earlier. The whole school was deeply shocked as Carl was a popular and talented student who had contributed so much to school life.

While Carl was in hospital he expressed a wish to raise some money for the Critical Care Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was so well cared for.  Shortly after he died Carl’s friends at Wrekenton  Community Church and Lord Lawson School decided to do as he wished and raise money for the CCU.  A sponsored bike ride (and other events) was organised and amazing total of over £20000 was raised.

On June 11th 2009 I was privileged to be invited by Carl’s parents to go to the QE to see the equipment that was bought.  You can see the two items in the photos.  The chair fully reclines to a bed and can be raised or lowered depending on the needs of the patient.  The other photo shows the pump that attaches to a blanket through which cold air is circulated.  This brings great comfort to patients who often have very high temperatures when in CCU – Carl found one of these especially helpful.  This is an updated model which can be used to cool or warm a patient as required.  The rest of the money is going to help fund a post so that a member of staff can keep in touch with patients when they leave CCU to look after their psychological needs .

 

I know Sheila and Dave Millen and their friends were very proud of the contribution student s of this school made to the fund and I was equally proud to represent you and see the equipment in place.  Thank you so much to all of you for your terrific efforts which will make such a difference to the patients .

 

Miss Hind