After surviving four seizures in one day and spending two weeks in intensive care, Derry woman Una Deery has raised £5,000 for the Altnagelvin ICU staff she says saved her life.

When Una Deery was rushed to hospital after suffering a seizures, she feared the worst.

The Templemore woman, who had always considered herself to be in good health, had a feeling that something was not right.

Una said: “I was generally in good health but I took a seizure at the house. I always had that fear. I knew there was something wrong. I think everybody knows when there is something not right.

Una Deery presenting a cheque for £5,000, to staff of WHSCT CICUD, Altnagelvin Hospital. The money was raised from the proceeds of a Coffee Morning and Afternoon Tea. On the left, Martha McColgan, and from right, Alison Wray and Mary McGroarty. Back, from left, are Sr. Tonie Jones, Stephanie Keenan, Aaron O’Rourke, Roisin Daly, Sr. Gail Quigley and Shauna Hulme. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

placeholder image — Una Deery presenting a cheque for £5,000, to staff of WHSCT CICUD, Altnagelvin Hospital. The money was raised from the proceeds of a Coffee Morning and Afternoon Tea. On the left, Martha McColgan, and from right, Alison Wray and Mary McGroarty. Back, from left, are Sr. Tonie Jones, Stephanie Keenan, Aaron O’Rourke, Roisin Daly, Sr. Gail Quigley and Shauna Hulme. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

“I rang my friend Caroline to get me an ambulance. I said, ‘I’m going to die’.”

The next thing she remembers is climbing into the ambulance.

“I remember getting into the ambulance and then I woke up in intensive care,” she said.

Paramedics battled to stabilise Una as she was transported to hospital.

Una Deery and Fiona Higgins, Assistant Nursing Services Manager for Critical Care at the Western Trust.

“They stopped at the farm shop in the Waterside and they said I took another turn for the worse. I took another seizure.”

In total, Una suffered four seizures in a single day.

“I was in the ICU for nearly two weeks. I was critically ill. I was malnourished. I was down to 6.5 stone,” she said.

For almost two weeks, staff in Altnagelvin’s Intensive Care Unit worked around the clock to care for her as she fought for recovery.

Una said: “Altnagelvin saved my life. Everyone who took part in my journey was amazing.”

“The staff were absolutely amazing. They couldn’t do enough for me. They did not leave my side. I was nearly on my knees thanking them. It was hard work and dedication. I wouldn’t have gotten through this without those men and women who were attending to me in the hospital.”

As her strength gradually returned, Una became determined to repay the staff who had cared for her during the most difficult period of her life.

“I mind saying to the doctors when I came out that I wanted to do something for them because the hospital is on its knees and they don't get a lot of good publicity,” she said.

What began as a simple idea quickly grew into a major community fundraising effort.

Starting with coffee mornings in her home, Una's fundraising campaign grew into a citywide effort as she knocked on doors across Derry seeking support.

She said: “I have collected £5,000. The people of Derry were amazing. I really enjoyed it. There was no negativity at all. I am really proud. It was something I wanted to do and I was buzzing while doing it. I received great feedback, and people were so kind.”Una handed over the £5,000 cheque to intensive care staff on Tuesday.

Fiona Higgins, Assistant Nursing Services Manager for Critical Care at the Western Trust, said the money will be used to help fund items that benefit patients and their families, purchase equipment, and provide training opportunities for staff.

A year after spending two weeks in intensive care, Una is back enjoying life, she has returned to salsa dancing, and is proud to have given something back to the people who saved her life.