Ambulance staff to bare all to aid disabled colleague (From York Press)

Ambulance staff to bare all to aid disabled colleague

8:45am Saturday 11th February 2012 in Fundraising fun

THESE ambulance staff from York are getting ready to bare themselves in a night of burlesque and striptease to raise money for a disabled colleague.

The paramedics are hoping to raise £11,700 to buy a sophisticated computer system for Sally Waudby, who also worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service before being diagnosed with the debilitating motor neurone disease.

The computer is able to read eye movements and will help Mrs Waudby communicate day-to-day and even make phone calls.

Her former colleagues at York Ambulance Station in Huntington Road are now going through their paces under three choreographers, learning the art of burlesque dancing and also a Full Monty-style striptease, where they will reveal all at the show later this month.

Paramedic and show organiser, Julie Staveley said: “The computer is the most fantastic piece of kit and will enable Sally to speak.

“It has a screen which is configured to her eyes and has an on-screen keyboard.

“You look at a letter on the screen and it comes up. It’s amazing. It’s beyond 21st century technology to me.”

Miss Staveley said one of the cruellest aspects of motor neurone disease was that it can destroy the ability to move but leaves the brain still functioning normally.

Miss Staveley said Mrs Waudby was “so strong” and described her as a “remarkable lady”.

The team is now putting the finishing touches to its daring dance routines ahead of the big night at Acomb Working Men’s Club on Friday, February 24, at 7.30pm.

Miss Staveley said: “It was an idea by all of us. We were going to have a karaoke and a disco, then one person said ‘I don’t mind getting my kit off’ and another said ‘If it’s for Sally, I’ll do it too’.”

The fundraising evening will also feature a tango and the chance to win prizes at a raffle, tombola and auction.

For details on the event or the fundraising campaign, go to www.speakforsally.co.uk or phone Miss Staveley on 07880 577235.