Percy's Pals
Dr Richard Percival, known to friends and family as “Percy,” was a much-loved GP from Hedge End, Hampshire, who sadly passed away following a stroke in 2013 at the age of 47. His final days were spent under the outstanding care of the Wessex Neurological Intensive Treatment Unit at Southampton General Hospital.
Percy dedicated his professional life to caring for others and was deeply committed to the wellbeing of his patients and community. He lived in Twyford, Hampshire, with his wife and two daughters, and was a greatly valued member of village life. His kindness, generosity, and influence left a lasting impact on those who knew him. His friends felt strongly that he would have wanted his life and legacy to inspire positive action within the community.
Percy’s Pals was established by Percy’s friends as a fundraising group to carry out charitable work and raise money in his memory.
Scanner Appeal
The group’s first major project was the Dr Richard Percival Scanner Appeal, launched under the umbrella of Southampton Hospitals Charity to raise funds for a specialist portable CT brain scanner for the Wessex Neurological Intensive Treatment Unit.
The Wessex Neurological ITU serves patients from across the south of England, including the Channel Islands, providing specialist treatment for stroke victims and those suffering from serious brain injuries. With a catchment area of approximately three million people, many patients requiring urgent neurological care are treated there.
The appeal successfully raised £130,000 towards the purchase of the scanner. The equipment entered testing in September 2015 and was officially handed over to Southampton General Hospital in February 2016.
Reducing the time required for diagnosis and treatment is critical in cases of stroke and neurological injury, where every minute can affect survival and long-term recovery. The portable CT scanner significantly reduced this time, improving both emergency care and patient outcomes.
Community Care for Stroke Victims
Following the success of the scanner appeal, Percy’s Pals began working with Twyford Heritage on fundraising projects to support stroke victims within the local community.
In 2021, £48,000 was donated to Different Strokes, helping to provide ongoing support and rehabilitation for younger stroke survivors and their families.
Percy’s Pals remains a powerful example of how friendship, community spirit, and charitable action can create lasting positive change in memory of someone deeply respected and greatly missed.
Further information about Percy’s Pals can be found here.