Sadly in January this year my dad, David Gandy, passed away following a short illness. Dad spent his final three weeks in the Royal Surrey Intensive Care Unit. This was a distressing period for all Dad's family and friends but the level of care and compassion left us in know doubt that he was in the best place possible. To show our appreciation for the ICU staff Nick, Chris, Cam and I will be competing in Ironman events in Tallinn this August and raising funds to improve their vital facilities.

The ICU treats the patients requiring the greatest level of care within the hospital. Everyone we encountered within the ward epitomised the greatest blend of clinical professionalism and compassionate care. 

Visiting Dad everyday we saw incredible success stories of patients recovering from the most severe conditions. The staff helped us talk to dad, encourage him and keep him looking smart, something we knew was important to him. We shared stories of Dad's life, told them all the jokes he would have been saying and the staff genuinely wanted to get to know him better. However not everyone can recover and here the staff supported families in making the hardest decisions possible with a clear and unwavering focus on the dignity and best interests of their patients. Even at the end we were never in doubt that Dad was receiving the best level of care possible.

Ironman host long-distance triathlons across the globe. Cam, Chris and Nick will be doing a full course on the 24th August, this includes a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run (a marathon). I will be taking on the Ironman 70.3 doing a 1.9km run, 90km bike and 21km run. Please help us support the important work the ICU does and donate generously.

Nick Gandy