The loved ones of a former Durham University student who tragically died of a brain haemorrhage aged just 25 have helped to raise more than £250,000 to fund vital research into the condition.
Billie Wood had not long graduated from university when she became unwell after moving back home to Somerset. After an evening of pilates, she went to bed - only for her mum, Sophie, to find her screaming in pain on the landing the following morning, Somerset Live reports.
Billie was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary and then transferred to Southmead’s specialist neurological unit after doctors discovered she had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage. She spent six days in intensive care and underwent several operations.
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However, Billie suffered a vasospasm which caused a fatal stroke and tragically died in May 2020.
Following her death, her family and friends set up the Billie Elizabeth Wood Trust (BEWT) to raise funds for vital medical research into subarachnoid haemorrhage in her memory.
And now Billie's legacy has raised £250,000 following a number of fundraising events, including an 85 mile boat rowing challenge from Oxford down the River Thames which raised more than £50,000. The money raised will now help Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity of North Bristol NHS Trust, to fund two new positions to support research – a vasospasm research nurse and a research facilitator.
Billie’s mum Sophie said: "This research has to happen. Someone as fabulous as she was, can't be lost in vain."
Sally Bennett, head of fundraising at Southmead Hospital Charity, said the fundraising was a 'wonderful way to honour Billie's life.'
"The two specialist research roles at North Bristol NHS Trust will widen knowledge and evaluate current treatments for vasospasm in the hopes of increasing survival rates for this life-threatening condition," she said.
“Billie’s family and friends, and everyone at Caple, have done incredibly well to raise such an amazing amount of money in memory of Billie. It’s a wonderful way to honour her life."
To find out more about the Billie Elizabeth Wood Trust click here.
