A MAN has raised over £6,000 for the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary to thank the team for the treatment his grandad has received.

Chad Whyte, from Leigh, used the funds to buy a range of equipment for the COPD and Oxygen Team, including nebuliser machines, fans, display cabinets and display boards.

Chad and seven of his friends raised £3,000 by each running at least 100km in June.

The amount was then doubled by Chad’s employer, Auto Trader, taking the total raised to £6,000.

He was inspired to raise the money as a way to give something back after seeing the way his grandad, William Whyte, had been cared for by the team.

Chad said: “The treatment my grandad has received during his time with the COPD Unit has been fantastic.

“The staff have really gone above and beyond in looking after him over the last few years, and the support group they run in particular has made a real difference to his life.

“With the help of my friends, I wanted to do my bit to give something back to the unit, which is providing a great service, particularly during the strange times we currently find ourselves in.”

William has been attending the Acute COPD and Oxygen Unit at the Infirmary for several years, including attending its regular support group prior to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The COPD service operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to assess, provide treatment for, and support patients in an acute episode of the long-term condition. The Oxygen service has the same operational times but has recently relocated to the Walk-In Centre at Leigh Infirmary.

Both services provide nurse-led specialist support.

Joanne Wright, Lead COPD Specialist Nurse at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary said: “We’re delighted with the generous donation of equipment and extra supplies that Chad has made to the unit, which will benefit future patients and the wider community.

“We’re always pleased to hear when someone or their loved one feels particularly happy with the care they’ve received, but in this case, Chad has done a lot to help us and our patients with his gesture of gratitude.

“William is a well-known and much-loved patient on the unit.

“We welcome these materials so that he and others in our care can have a more enhanced experience, both now and in the future.”

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