Our Bolton NHS Charity

09/04/2026

Thank you Gareth W Price!

🗣️ ‘The trouble is, we think we have time’

For Bolton Spin Studio owner Gareth Price, giving back has always come naturally. A proud supporter of Our Bolton NHS Charity, Gareth has long believed in showing appreciation to the people who have supported him and his family throughout his life.

Like many of us, Gareth has had his fair share of interactions with the NHS. But the moment that truly shaped his passion for fundraising came when his daughter was born at Royal Bolton Hospital. Seeing the compassion, dedication and skill of NHS staff left a mark that never faded.

Gareth began this chapter of his fundraising journey in 2022, determined to make a difference. A year later, he took things up a gear with a six‑hour Spinathon – held on one of the hottest days of the year.

Behind the scenes, Gareth, an avid fitness fan, had been unknowingly preparing for the biggest challenge of his life. In 2025, he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

What followed was a gruelling journey through treatment, strength and uncertainty. After six rounds of chemotherapy and two rounds of Rituximap, Gareth received the news everyone had been hoping for – the cancer was gone!

To mark this life‑changing milestone, Gareth is doing what he does best – bringing people together through movement, music and purpose. Starting 3rd July, over five incredible days, to raise funds for haematology services, Gareth will take on a powerful new cycling challenge.

Trinity 77, a title chosen to celebrate the NHS’s 77th birthday, and to highlight the three beautiful cities in the North of England, that the team will ride through, Chester, Lancaster and York, 150 kilometres a day and in total, around 7500 metres of climbing across the five days.

No matter how small, your support keeps the rhythm of life moving for patients and families across Bolton.

12/02/2026

The Emergency Department at Royal Bolton Hospital is under extreme pressure. Please help our NHS colleagues by choosing the right NHS service for you 💙

Our Emergency Department currently has significantly long waits. ‼️

We prioritise patients who need emergency care so they can receive the treatment they need. If you have a minor illness, you may be seen quicker elsewhere.

Please don’t come to the Emergency Department because you think it’s a faster service. We’re doing everything we can to help you - but please help us by choosing the right NHS service for your needs.

If you're unsure about where to go, please use 111.nhs.uk for advice.

Thank you for your ongoing support during this challenging period.

12/02/2026

Please take note if you are planning to visit a loved one at Royal Bolton Hospital 💙

Update on visiting at Royal Bolton Hospital ‼️

We usually offer open visiting for those who wish to spend time with their loved ones while they are staying at Royal Bolton Hospital, and we recognise the important benefits this brings for patients and families.

However, over recent weeks like at other hospitals, we have been monitoring a rise in seasonal infections including norovirus, and as a result we are temporarily suspending open visiting.

For wards that are currently affected by infections, we’re asking that relatives and loved ones do not attend, if possible. If you do need to visit, please call the ward in advance to discuss. These wards are:

🔹AMU2
🔹N3
🔹OPAU

For all other patients currently in our adult wards, visiting is restricted to 1 person per patient during the times of 1pm and 7pm.

These temporary visiting changes do not apply to our children’s and maternity wards.

Patients whose wellbeing will be adversely affected by these restrictions, such as patients with dementia, neurodiverse conditions or learning disabilities, may still have visitors, but please contact the ward staff to discuss in advance.

We’ll be reviewing these measures on a daily basis and will lift any restrictions when it is safe to do so. Please be assured that these changes are being introduced with safety and wellbeing at the forefront.

24/12/2025

The charity office is now closed and will reopen on Monday 5 January.

Before we sign off, we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Our Bolton NHS Charity this year. Your kindness and generosity help us enhance the patient experience for people of all ages, throughout the year.

For those who celebrate, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and a special thank you to our fabulous Bolton NHS Foundation Trust colleagues who are working over Christmas and New Year.

19/12/2025

And relax… time to put our feet up and enjoy some family time over the weekend before we go again on Monday.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Only six more sleeps!

19/12/2025

In a slight deviation from Christmas, it was wonderful to welcome Fintan, Becca and Willow to the neonatal unit to collect their 2025 ‘Charity Supporter of the Year’ award. This award recognises the family’s phenomenal fundraising efforts in memory of their daughter and big sister, Millie, who was born prematurely and died at just 33 days old.

Please click the link below to read Our Fintan’s story:

https://www.boltonft.nhs.uk/our-bolton-nhs-charity/our-bolton-stories/

Fintan, Becca and Willow were unable to attend the awards evening in October so Trish, one of the neonatal nurses who cared for Millie, did the honours and collected the award on their behalf.

The award has been in safe-keeping until today and it was lovely to finally hand it over to its rightful owners 💙

19/12/2025

Congratulations to the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust Volunteer Services team who won our Christmas tree competition and the Philips L’OR Barista coffee machine, kindly donated by our friends at Pay Smart Carpets.

We’ll share photos of Santa delivering the coffee machine to our winners on Christmas Eve but for now, here’s a glimpse of the winning Christmas tree in all its Christmas wish glory.

19/12/2025

Thank you Aitch for your festive message to our paediatric patients at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

19/12/2025

We’re very lucky to have the support of the Bolton community. As well as donations that help us fund Christmas presents for vulnerable patients, we’re also taking deliveries of gifts purchased through our ‘You are Not Alone’ wish list.

Thank you to M for your incredible kindness and generosity. These gifts will help to bring some Christmas joy to those who are in hospital and in intermediate care on Christmas Day without loved ones to visit.

19/12/2025

We’re seeing some amazing Christmas jumpers and accessories while we’re out and about, but our online competition page is looking a little empty!

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and IFM colleagues, don’t forget to upload your selfie via the link below to be in with your chance of winning four tickets to an event at Mercure Georgian House Hotel and a bottle of prosecco to enjoy on the night.

https://festivefriday2025.dedicationpage.org/?preview=8WMlb

The competition closes at 5pm today and the winner will be drawn at random and announced on BOB on Monday.

Post your Festive Friday selfie on this special dedication page to help spread festive cheer and to be in with a chance of winning a mystery prize!

19/12/2025

To work in fundraising, you’ve got to be good at problem-solving and live by the mantra ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’!

So when we found the table had gone missing from the information stand, we sprung into action and called in a favour with Raj at the restaurant.

So if you’re wondering where we are and - more importantly - where the Christmas cards are, you won’t have to look far!

Come and say hello, show us your Christmas jumpers and accessories and purchase your charity Christmas cards. Ten A5 Christmas cards and envelopes and that feel-good factor for just £5 - bargain! Even better, there’s still time to get them in the post in time for Christmas.