Covid survivor, 84, raises £50,000 for NHS by climbing Cornwall’s highest peak

Robin Hanbury-Tenison climbed Cornwall’s highest peak
University Hospitals Plymouth trust
April Roach @aprilroach2811 November 2020

An 84-year-old explorer who was given less than a 5 per cent chance of survival after testing positive for coronavirus has raised nearly £50,000 for the NHS.

Robin Hanbury-Tenison was in an induced coma for five weeks after he was admitted on March 16 to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon with Covid-19.

His wife Louella and son Merlin were told to prepare for the worst, with doctors warning that Mr Hanbury-Tenison’s chance of survival was less than 5 per cent.

The veteran explorer was put on a ventilator, experienced multiple organ failure, dialysis, a tracheotomy and severe delirium from the sedation.

But he had a “breakthrough moment” when nurses took him to the rehabilitation garden at Derriford Hospital.

Five months after his recovery from coronavirus, on October 3, Mr Hanbury-Tenison climbed Cornwall’s highest peak – Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor – in strong winds and planted the Cornish flag at the top.

After leaving hospital on May 3, Mr Hanbury-Tenison was using a Zimmer frame and barely able to walk 10 yards, but he managed to scale Brown Willy which has a summit of 1,378 feet (420 metres above sea level).

Robin Hanbury-Tenison was in an induced coma for five weeks
University Hospitals Plymouth trust

He is now hoping to raise £100,000 to fund an intensive care healing garden at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and has received almost £50,000 in donations.

“Nature does make a difference. I think every hospital should have a healing garden. I believe this one saved my life,” he said.

“Now having beaten the virus, I want to ensure that as many patients as possible can experience the healing powers of fresh air and nature, and to raise money for more rehabilitation gardens, starting with Cornwall.”

His wife Louella said: “We have worked him hard to get to this stage and it was, as we knew it would be, a real challenge for him.

“We hadn’t factored in Storm Alex and 60mph winds on the top of Brown Willy but with me pulling, our son Merlin and his wife Lizzie pushing, the three of us we made it.”

As they reached the top, they found about 50 people had climbed the peak – separated into bubbles of six – to toast Mr Hanbury-Tenison’s achievement.

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust says the garden is the first ICU rehabilitation space for patients, their loved ones and staff in the UK.

It offers staff fresh air and space for rest, which has been particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic when personal protective equipment has applied extra pressure.

Kate Tantam, specialist senior sister in intensive care at Derriford Hospital, said: “The Secret Garden allows the whole inter-professional team to promote, enhance and facilitate rehabilitation in a non-clinical setting, supporting patients and loved ones to feel normal and to engage with their rehabilitation needs and their future.”

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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