FORMER PATIENT Matthew Gray returned to St George’s Hospital this week to pay tribute to the staff who helped him on the road to recovery last year.

On the 7th April this year, Matthew Gray suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage (a bleed into the space around the brain) during a cup football game near his home in West Sussex. He was admitted to Brodie Ward at St George’s Hospital under the care of Mr Marios Papadopoulos. Within days, Matthew had an operation to have two clips placed over the bleed and had further surgery on the 31st May to have a shunt fitted.

Matthew’s father died from the same medical condition at the age of 32, so Matthew’s family is particularly indebted to St George’s for saving his life.

To say thank you to his consultant and the fantastic nursing team, Matthew decided to hold a charity football match to raise money for Brodie Ward. This took place on 28 July against two local rival teams and was followed by a raffle, competitions and a disco. Matthew and his family are also hugely grateful to all the local businesses for their generous donations, and to their family and friends for giving up their time to support the event.

Matthew returned to St George’s last week for a routine check-up with Mr Papadopoulos and to present a cheque for over £1,200.

Notes to editors

  1. For more information, please call Liz Woods, Charitable Communications Manager at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, on 020 8725 4522 or e-mail liz.woods@stgeorges.nhs.uk