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More information about King's College
Hospital Charity: King's College Hospital
Charity is dedicated to supporting life
changing care for
patients at Kings College Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust. We help make the best care possible by raising money for cutting edge
equipment and facilities, innovative research, pioneering treatment and improving the
working environment for staff.

It was December 2015 my wife had been
attending St George’s hospital for liver disease which she had contracted from a very early age 

In India for which she had been treated for some considerable time.

My wife and myself had been trying
alternative foods to complement medication boost her metabolism and control her diabetes 
So the diabetes became really stable .

It was a routine blood test whereby we
attended the clinic.It was the consultant who
gave us the news “ I think you should put your affairs in order”
Those words hit us like a brick wall smashing
into us.

The disease had taken a change in direction she had developed liver cancer.
You see we have 5 children.
We came away so incredibly down .We chose not to tell anyone it was Christmas after all.

We both didn’t want to make anyone worry over
Our predicament.
My wife was called back and offered a chance to be put on a transplant list.But we was made
aware of my wife’s blood group B+ was not a
common group and could take sometime.

My wife is Indian and I am White English a
mixed marriage of nearly 30 years.
What other choice was there.Frightened to
death.
As time went on my wife became evermore
sick we was at hospital every week.
It was apparent We had to give the news eventually to the children

You can imagine there most formative years
whereby they should be out enjoying friends
company ,care free what we all take for granted parents.

After all ,at that age parents live forever.

They all came withdrawn in themselves hiding there emotions from outsiders.

As a dad they would each and everyone of
one of them would come to me separately and break down,I was not a trained councillor so that took a considerable toll on my mental well-being.

Throughout 2016  we waited and waited for
that one  life changing call..
By now late summer my wife was visibly and
emotionally slipping before my eyes.
In October my wife had bought me an early
birthday present,my birthday was in
November .
It was a brand new phone my old one kept
packing up.

Bought on the pretence of “maybe not well enough to go shopping “

It was only sometime later she told me she didn’t think she was going to make it so decided to give me a last gift.Always thinking of others.

It was a Sunday when my children collected it for me.
The following Monday morning at 03.00 my new phone rang the very first call.
It was Kings College they had found a donor.

The paramedic came at 03.15 and then
ambulance at 03.30.
My wife was taken to Kings,I followed and was already told not to race.
Sorry to say I didn’t heed there advice. Even
though they  had there blue lights on we both arrived same time.

My wife and myself attended the chapel at
Kings a really solemn moment where you are in your own space and peace laying bare your soul to the Lord.

The moment we had prayed for was here.
But also the reality that our time together
could now come to an end.

My wife’s surgery started at 10.00am.
My eldest daughter came to support me.
We was given updates every 3 hours. 
We paced the corridors so much as I’m sure
others had before us.

We waited by the theatre and actually saw a
Doctor carry the donor box into the theatre.
Never had I ever felt so humble and Thankful for the selflessness of not only the donor but also the family who supported the decision to be a donor.Especially in there own darkest moments.

Numbness of senses is a reality!

My wife came out at 18.00 and taken to
recovery .It was the next day I saw my wife.
Thankfully  my wife had pulled through but
not without all the love and care and
professionalism  by everybody.
We counted well over
30 staff who monitored my wife’s
progress.
From the Dietitian’s ,Surgeon’s who made
there daily rounds.
Nurses who became friends.
A great Councillor who befriended us,all ward
staff who gave comfort and support.
All and everyone was incredible.

My wife is now four and a half years post
surgery.
If we could some how repay all the love and
care given .
We have gone from strength to strength 
Our thoughts are always with the donor and
family  who in there darkest hour of despair 
they gave a chance of life for another,a real
act of humanity and selflessness.

What we would like to share also is my wife’s blood group being uncommon if each and everyone reading this would at least contemplate the act of being a donor what better way to remember a loved one. A gift of life an everlasting memory.

I know cultural reasons and beliefs have an impact  on signing up to be a donor.

But imagine all that you hold dear ,love and cherish can be taken away without any notice.

Especially from minority groups to allay the prejudices ,from society.

There  is nothing to fear only a last final act of giving ,another life another chance.

The life saved has not only been by the donor and family but also recipients families as well.
For us we are an incredibly close family and
live for the present.After all a present is a gift and so should always be cherished.

As time has gone on I myself have a few health issues .But nothing comparable to my wife's

A massive Thank You  to the consultants at St George’s who looked after my wife who in our 
darkest moment and fear told us “we will get
you through this by hook or by crook”

Many staff at St George’s who week in week out cared for my wife.

Kings College Staff ,Surgeons who saved my
Wife’s life Anaesthetists ,Nurses  porters
cooks ancillary staff all played there part 

Cannot thank you enough.

Dedication is a word but to witness first hand
the love which these people put into there 
daily tasks is really humbling.
Throughout this time our children have grown in themselves.
Compassion and empathy is really evident in
each one.
Thank You in advance for helping this charity

I also believe No one knows another mans walk until he himself walks in his shoes.

Thanking you in anticipation 

Ian Mattie our children Alexandra,Dominic Chantelle Terence & Christian