The family of a ‘much loved and missed’ critical care nurse are coming together to honour a cause close to her heart to mark her 30th birthday.
Katy Blezard joined Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2013 as a Health Care Assistant, where she worked on the neurology ward at Royal Preston Hospital, whilst studying to become a nurse at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Known to her family and friends as Blez, Katy worked her way up the ranks and later moved to the Critical Care Unit, which is one of the largest CCUs in the North West, admitting around 1,600 patients every year; providing tertiary, neuro-critical care, major trauma and vascular services for the 1.8 million people living across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Katy was just 27 years-old when she sadly and unexpectedly passed away in 2019. In her memory, and with the support of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, her loved ones are holding a charity fancy dress fundraiser to mark her 30th birthday, with all proceeds raised going to the Critical Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital.
Katy’s sister, Lucy Beachell, said: “Blez was so passionate about nursing, her patients, her colleagues and all the work the Critical Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital did and continues to do today.
“It’s only right that we mark her 30th birthday in such a way she would approve raising money for a special cause close to her heart.”
The fundraising event will be held on Saturday 26th March at the Longridge Cricket Club, with all funds raised going directly towards the Critical Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital, which will help to make a difference to the hospital’s most seriously ill and injured patients and the fantastic medical staff who care for them.
Paula Wilson, Head of Charities at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, said: “Katy was part of our NHS family and we’re honoured to support her family on what would have been her 30th birthday.
“It is our mission at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity to help improve the care and experience for our patients and we’re so grateful to Katy’s family for their generosity to raise funds for our Critical Care unit.”
Tickets for the fancy dress fundraiser cost £10 and are available to buy on a first come first serve basis here.