The Isle of Man’s Hyperbaric Chamber is set to benefit from the generosity of staff at Royal London 360°.
?585 is being donated by the life assurance company towards the running costs of the unit, which is based at Douglas Fire Station on Peel Road. The money was raised at the staff Christmas party in December.
The Hyperbaric Chamber is the only facility of its kind in the Isle of Man and, as well as treating divers with decompression illness, it benefits patients with chronic and acute conditions including broken bones.
It is run by the Kevin Gray Memorial Charity, and although part-funded by the Isle of Man Department of Health, relies on donations from members of the public to continue to meet operating costs.
It has been used to help a number of the Island’s top sports stars to recover from professional injuries including snowboarder Zoe Gillings, World Enduro Champion, David Knight, and five-time TT Sidecar winner, Nick Crowe.
The chamber works by delivering 100% oxygen to the patient at a pressure greater than sea level, stimulating growth of new blood vessels.
In 2009, the Hyperbaric Chamber treated approximately 230 patients between the ages of 3 and 92.
Natalie Dutton, Head of Marketing at Royal London 360°, commented, "The Hyperbaric Chamber literally is a lifeline for some of its patients, and living on an Island, having this facility is a necessity for Manx residents. Royal London 360° is only too delighted to support such an important cause and contribute towards its running costs."
Pictured: Michelle Haywood (centre), Chairman of the Isle of Man Hyperbaric Chamber, receives a cheque for ?585 from Steve Wright and Merita Taylor of Royal London 360°.
