QHB's Clare who has 'two left feet' to do 'Strictly for Milly'
UHDB’s Labour Ward Manager Clare is set to swap scrubs for a ballgown as she channels her inner Rose Ayling-Ellis as she takes part in ‘Strictly for Milly’ to raise money.
Clare Pugh, Labour Ward Manager at Queen’s Hospital Burton, will be taking part in ‘Strictly for Milly’ a fund-raiser in honour of her niece who passed away at the age of two from a heart condition.
Clare, who has worked for the Trust since 2001, said: “There’s only one person I would dance for and that’s Milly my niece. I dance for no-one, I’ve got two left feet.”
The fund-raiser is the latest one by the charity, named Magic of Milly, which has raised £140,000 since 2015 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where Milly was cared for before she passed away.
Clare said: “It started in 2015 when my sister lost her daughter Milly who had a heart condition.
“Milly lived her life with lots of surgical interventions and passed away from post operative complications. If she had survived she could have had a normal life so that is something that is very painful and was traumatic for us as a family.
“The team who cared for her went above and beyond and so doing our bit to thank them is something that is very close to my heart.”
Following Milly’s death her family and friends set up a committee in her honour and have dedicated their time and efforts to raising cash to help other children like Milly.
Clare said: “We have held lots of events in the past, we’ve done charity balls, ‘take me out’ and in 2017 we did ‘Strictly for Milly’ at Lichfield Cathedral. It was a huge success so Emma, Milly’s mum wanted to do it again.
“I am very scared because I am not a dancer in the slightest and I have got to learn the Charleston and do a group dance aswell, but I know why I am doing it and that will see me through.
“In the past we’ve had a lot of input into what the money is spent on and it tends to go towards equipment in intensive care because that’s where Milly died.
“Our aim is to raise as much money as possible and even though I am dreading getting my dancing shoes on people have been so supportive, especially my colleagues at QHB.
“I was working here when we lost Milly so they’ve been there from the start and I couldn’t ask for a more supportive bunch of people then those I work with.”
Strictly for Milly will take place on 27 August at Sutton Town Hall.