Burrswood - A Christian Hospital & Place of Healing

Local Doctor breaks pain barrier to raise over £12,000 for two locally based charities

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

Dr Paul Worthley, Senior Physician at Burrswood Christian Hospital and Place of Healing in Groombridge, Kent completed the Flora London Marathon on 13th April in an extremely creditable 4hrs and 20 mins.

Fifty five year old Paul was running his first marathon on behalf of Burrswood and People International, a Christian missionary charity based in Tunbridge Wells and he has raised in excess of £12,000 already with the money still pouring in.

Having never run any distance before, Paul started his training back in September 2007 and all was proceeding well until a few weeks ago when he sustained a foot injury and then latterly fell ill with a virus during the past 2 weeks and so was uncertain of being able to participate until the last minute. His motivation has been the knowledge that he is helping other people to access the unique care offered through Burrswood and also enabling God's ministry to be introduced to people in non Christian countries through the work of People International. Afterwards Paul said, "It was a truly wonderful experience and I thank God for hearing our prayers for my safe completion of the run and for the wonderful support shown to both me and my charities. So many deserving people will benefit from the occasion."
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Beechwood Sacred Heart School

Friday, 15 February 2008

On Wednesday 14th February 2008, a group representing the senior girls at Beechwood Sacred Heart School in Tunbridge Wells, visited Burrswood, Groombridge to proudly present a cheque to Dr Gareth Tuckwell, Chief Executive, for £3004.30, in aid of Burrswood's Access to Care Fund.

The girls ranging from 11-18 years were welcomed at Burrswood with a guided tour of the facilities and stayed for afternoon tea and cakes, as a thank you from Burrswood for their efforts. This fantastic amount was a result of various fundraising activities throughout the autumn period, including a sponsored walk, a non uniform day, various sales, and collections from their Carol Service and "A Christmas Carol" production.

Burrswood, a 35 bed Christian hospital in Groombridge, runs its Access to Care scheme as a bursary for patients whose financial situation would not otherwise enable them to receive the high level of care and expertise that Burrswood is proud to offer. Carol Wynn, Head of Fundraising at Burrswood, expressed "We are so very grateful for the hard work and support Beechwood has shown us with their fundraising efforts; what a fantastic example the girls are to their school".
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Local Company's Gift Encourages the Wildlife at Burrswood

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

Pam Seldon, Senior Funeral Director at the Tunbridge Wells based TW Boorman Funeral Services, recently presented a beautiful marble bird bath to Burrswood, the Christian Hospital and Healing Centre based at Groombridge.

Pam has long been an admirer of the work done at Burrswood and pays frequent visits to the centre to enjoy the beautiful and tranquil surroundings. She wanted to do something to show her appreciation and persuaded her employers to commission the bird bath through their own Monumental Masons.

Pam said "I am always amazed by the beauty that abounds here at Burrswood whatever the season and know that this adds to the healing quality of the place. I hope that the patients and visitors will be able to watch the many birds that visit the gardens enjoying a cooling dip or drink from the bath.".

The bath has been placed along the path at the rear of the Church which is in full view of the many visitors to Bocky's Tea Room, still enjoying the splendid views during this unseasonably good weather.
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Burrswood welcomes its new Chief Executive

Friday, 7 September 2007

On 24th September, Burrswood, the Christian hospital and Healing centre at Groombridge, welcomed the arrival of Dr Gareth Tuckwell as its new Chief Executive.

Gareth had previously been Director at the hospital between 1986 and 1999. This ends a period of some 15 months without a Chief Executive during which time Michelle Templeman, Deputy CEO, has ably held the reigns and steered the organisation forward pending his arrival. Gareth rejoins the organization at an exciting time following the public launch of the "Phase V -Forward in Care" Appeal in July. The "Forward in Care" programme - a progressive development project aimed at bringing the organisation's facilities and services up to the highest modern standards as befits this flagship hospital - was started under Gareth's previous leadership in 1996.

Commenting on his return, Gareth says, "I do not see this as 'going back' to a post I held before. It is going forward to a new and challenging role that will bring fresh demands and opportunities along the way. I am thrilled to be appointed to this position, particularly at a time when the unique interdisciplinary care modelled at Burrswood Christian Hospital has so much to offer within today's health care system."

"Demand for beds here has increased by 40% over the last 4 years, necessitating an ambitious programme of expansion. I think this reflects the fact that people now recognise more that illness is so often unhelpfully seen in terms of specialties, sub-specialties and procedures, rather than being centred around individuals and the totality of their need, which often involves spiritual and emotional pain."

Gareth was previously Clinical Director of Hospice in the Weald, Kent, having been a Regional Director of Macmillan from 2000 to 2003. He was appointed to the Board of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2003. Qualifying in Medicine in 1971, he also obtained a Diploma in Palliative Medicine from the University of Wales in 1992. Continuing his strong links with palliative care and the Hospice movement, Gareth is also a Vice-President of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Farnham and Chair of Hospice23, a Christian charity that provides support and education to those working in palliative care. He pursues his Christian activities as an Elder of Tunbridge Wells Christian Fellowship and was a member of the working group set up by The House of Bishops which published a major report on the Christian Healing ministry 'A time to heal' in 2000. He is married with four children and now lives together with his wife Mary on the estate at Burrswood. Read the whole article...