Businessman wants to give back to the Royal after life-saving treatment

A local businessman who wrote his company’s business plan during a five-month stay in hospital wants to give back to the hospital that saved his life.

50-year-old Roy Shelton, group chief executive of ITS Technology Group based in Chester, is raising funds alongside colleagues for the Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s R Charity.

In July 2010, on his 44^th birthday, Roy collapsed and was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital. He was then transferred to the Royal for emergency treatment where he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.

Artist impression of the new Royal

Roy spent five months recovering in what was a busy time of his life. During his treatment, Roy’s wife Pip gave birth to a healthy boy named Charlie, but Roy was too ill to attend the birth

“I fell ill during what was the second trimester of my wife’s pregnancy. I was so ill I missed the birth of our youngest son.

“However if it wasn’t for the staff in the Royal I might not have seen Charlie at all.”

The birth of Roy’s fourth child wasn’t the only major change that took place during his time in hospital.

To take his mind of his recovery, Roy used his time to work on a business project that would change his life and that of his family.

He said: “I decided to start writing a business plan while in the Royal as I didn’t have much else to do!

“I told my wife and she said it was a good idea, but I think she thought it was good to have something to occupy me rather than there being a chance that I’d actually go through with it.”

After a successful period in hospital, Roy’s recovery continued at home where we honed his idea for his business.

Roy is now fit and well – and so is his business idea.

ITS Technology Group is thriving and celebrating its sixth birthday in March. The broadband solutions company now boasts contracts with large rural estates, business parks, football clubs and major UK cities.

Roy said: “The company is doing well, but if might not have even existed had I not made it through my illness.”

Roy now uses this success to help him say thanks to the Royal and the staff that saved his life.

ITS Technology Group have signed up to R Charity’s ‘Starter for 10’ campaign as the charity aims to raise £10,000 towards a comfortable relative’s room for patients’ families in the new Royal’s Critical Care Unit.

Roy said: “We’ve taken part in many activities for R Charity in the past. I don’t force anyone in the company to take part, but everyone helps out in some way as they all appreciate how important the cause is to the company.

“We’re doing quite a few events for Starter for 10 including the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool bike ride. When I left hospital I couldn’t walk so it shows how far I’ve come since the hospital saved my life.

“R Charity is a cause that is very close to me. I can’t thank the hospital staff enough for what they did to save and change my life. Everyone from the catering team to the nurses, surgeons and medical staff are a credit to the hospital.”

R Charity’s Starter for 10 campaign aims to encourage North West businesses to show their entrepreneurial skills by turning £100 into £1,000.

Lauren Davies, corporate partnerships manager for R Charity said: “This is a great way for local entrepreneurs to show off their business prowess, while raising funds for a fantastic cause.

“The money raised will go towards helping families of Critical Care patients giving them a quiet space to relax during what can be a difficult time for loved ones.”

If you are a local business and would like to sign up and take part, call Lauren on 0151 706 3153 or email Lauren.Davies@rlbuht.nhs.uk.