Celebrating ‘Dickie Bow Bob’ and his 20th Christmas charity collection
A DEDICATED and much-loved healthcare colleague - known across his workplace as Dickie Bow Bob - is marking a merry milestone with his 20th Christmas charity collection in aid of Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity’s Dementia Appeal.
Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust employee Bob Lumby, recognisable for his extravagant bow ties, works on the Rotherham Hospital Welcome Desk, greeting patients and visitors with his trademark smile and humour.
Each Christmas, Bob uses a day’s annual leave to dress in the most bonkers festive outfit, to visit every ward and department at the hospital with his charity buckets to raise funds for the local NHS charity.
After many years as a logistics operative, Bob joined the trust in January 2000 through a 'back to work' scheme after undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery.
He said: “I’d had a hard time returning to office work because my vision had been affected, so I started volunteering in the stores department at Rotherham Hospital, delivering parcels around the wards.
“I immediately took to the work and was hired in April that year.
“My charity collections began when the Macmillan team asked me to do a bucket collection around the hospital.”
That first Christmas, Bob wore green ambulance overalls decorated with baubles and tinsel, complete with a tiny Christmas tree on his head.
“When the Macmillan team left, I began collecting for the Neonatal Unit through Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity.
“One year I even wore a giant nappy and comedy nappy pin – over the years I’ve probably left some staff slightly traumatised by my costumes!
“Collecting is hard work but extremely rewarding, knowing every penny helps my local hospital.
“Staff are cheered—or shocked—by my outfits, and it brings a bit of festive fun at a very busy time.
“With flu, norovirus and extra pressure over the winter period, a little silliness really does lift morale.”
Rachael Dawes, head of charity and engagement at Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity, said: “Bob has raised thousands of pounds for local charities over the past 20 years.
“Last year alone he raised an incredible £1,015.84 for our charity from just one day of collecting!
“This year, we’re so excited to see what outfit Bob pulls out to support our Dementia Appeal.
“We’re aiming to raise £250,000 to create warm, welcoming, dementia-friendly spaces across the trust and we’re so grateful to Bob for helping to bring us one step closer to reaching this goal.”