Duncan MacDougall, a man who survived after a hand flare he was
firing backfired into his abdomen, has raised £50,000 for the
hospital that saved his live. Two years on from his accident,
Duncan’s donations mean that Wexham Park Hospital will be able to
buy vital new equipment for its Intensive Care Unit.
In April 2006 Duncan was demonstrating a hand
flare for the purpose of a training video. When he fired the
flare, instead of firing into the air and away from Duncan it
backfired into his abdomen. This caused significant damage to
Duncan’s right hand and abdomen and he was admitted Wexham Park
Hospital where he remained for nine months.
Following his accident, which left Duncan in
significant pain and unable to return to work,
Paul McNeil was instructed to bring a claim against the
manufacturers of the flare, Pains Wessex. Paul McNeil brought
a claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1997. The claim was
settled with Pains Wessex admitting full liability. Duncan received
a substantial sum in compensation.
Despite his injuries Duncan was determined to
raise money for the Intensive Care Unit that treated him and has
spent the last six months raising money. Family, friends and
well wishers helped get the fund started, with support from the
Chiltern Shakespeare Company, who donated the profit from the
summer show of a Midsummer Night’s Dream. Duncan raised money
through arranging and performing in a song and dance evening and
hosting a summer ball.
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Paul McNeil
said: “We are very impressed by all of
the fundraising that Duncan has undertaken. The severity of
his injuries meant that he had to be on a ventilator for much of
his stay at Wexham Park. The work that he has done means that the
hospital will be able to buy an extra ventilator and three new
portable ventilators - a great achievement.” |
Read more about Duncan's case
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