Mayor of Abingdon raises £6,000 to support OUH’s colorectal service

The mayor of Abingdon recently returned to the Churchill Hospital, part of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), to celebrate her fundraising success after receiving care at OUH.

Rawda Jehanli’s fundraising campaign generated more than £6,000 for Occtopus, the Oxford colorectal charity that supports the colorectal services at OUH.

The mayor chose Occtopus as her mayoral charity after receiving care at the Churchill in 2023, an experience that shaped her commitment to supporting colorectal patients.

Rawda said: “My experience as a patient at the Churchill Hospital was outstanding, not only because of the medical care I received, but because of the compassion, dignity and reassurance shown to me throughout my treatment and follow‑up care.

“As a patient, you are often frightened, vulnerable and unsure of what lies ahead. What made the Churchill so special was the way the team treated me as a person, not just as a patient. They listened, explained, reassured me, and made me feel safe at every stage.

“I have experienced private healthcare before, but what I received through the NHS at Churchill was exceptional. The level of expertise, kindness, teamwork and genuine care was beyond anything I could have hoped for. It wasn’t just treatment – it was humanity, compassion and hope.”

She added that the care she received from Ms Kat Baker, Colorectal Consultant Surgeon at OUH and Trustee of Occtopus, was central to her recovery and her determination to give back.

During her visit, the mayor met members of the colorectal team to hear how the funds will support research, specialist roles and equipment that improve outcomes for patients with bowel cancer, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other colorectal conditions.

She said: “The Churchill team gave me confidence during one of the most difficult times of my life, and I will always be grateful. Supporting Occtopus is my way of helping ensure other patients and families feel the same support, comfort and hope when they need it most.

“With the support of the Oxfordshire community, we raised over £6,000 for Occtopus. Seeing the direct impact this funding will have on patients makes every effort worthwhile.”

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, Chief Operating Officer at OUH, said: “Thank you to everyone involved in providing excellent and compassionate care to Rawda.  We know just how important this is to our teams both at the Churchill Hospital and across the trust.”

Professor Sir Neil Mortensen, Chair of Occtopus, said: “We are extremely grateful for the Mayor’s fundraising efforts and for raising awareness about colorectal disease. Donations like these make a real difference to local patients and help us provide funding for nursing roles, research projects based at the University of Oxford and equipment for the hospital.”