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'The nurses saved my life after big electric shock'

BBC Matt stands on the right next to three nurses from ward 408 of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. One nurse is holding a box of chocolates and another holds a fruit hamper.BBC
Matt Davies gave out fruit hampers and boxes of chocolates to nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, who have cared for him since his accident

An award-winning chef who suffered a severe electric shock that ended his career has returned to deliver festive gifts to the nurses who saved him.

The accident, which happened seven years ago, left Matt Davies fighting for his life and resulted in part of his left arm being amputated, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE) in Birmingham.

After undergoing more than 70 operations, still being in chronic pain and suffering from PTSD, Mr Davies has still managed to raise more than £100,000 for charities, including the one at University Hospital Birmingham.

He said he was "indebted" to the nurses on ward 408 who "saved my life".

Kevin Byrne Matt Davies (centre) surrounded by some of Birmingham's best known chefs including Glynn Purnell and Aktar IslamKevin Byrne
Matt Davies (centre) surrounded by some of Birmingham's best known chefs including Glynn Purnell and Aktar Islam who have supported him in his fundraising efforts

Mr Davies, originally from Marston, Staffordshire, became a chef when he was 15 years old, undergoing training at Michelin-starred Simpsons.

"It's all I knew, but I enjoyed doing it, I loved my job, it was my passion," he said.

Before the accident he was running six restaurants in Staffordshire and has been described as the godfather of the county's food scene.

The 56-year-old said: "I've had a lot of great chefs come through my ranks." They include Tom Shepherd, owner of Upstairs, Staffordshire's first and only Michelin-starred venue.

Matt Davies A selfie of Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd with his arm around Matt Davies - both men have beards, with Tom wearing chef's whites and Matt has glasses onMatt Davies
Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd has given his time freely to support Matt Davies

Unable to use his left arm, which would later be amputated, Mr Davies was forced to quit the job he loved.

But he would go on to find new purpose with fundraising, initially for two charities close to his heart, the University Hospital Birmingham charity and Hospitality Action.

To raise the money, he hosts dinners supported by some of the best chefs in the region, who give their time freely.

"I've worked with a lot of these chefs in my younger days and you forge a friendship which within this industry you never forget," Mr Davies said.

Matt Davies is pictured at Fisher House, the hospital's home away from home for injured military staff. He is sat on a sofa, which has colourful cushions on it, and is wearing a blue jacket.
Matt Davies at Fisher House, the hospital's home away from home for injured military staff, which is one of the beneficiaries of the money he has raised

Despite having the accident in 2017, it was only earlier this year that part of his left arm was amputated.

He said losing his arm had been the "worst feeling" he had ever experienced.

The father-of-three also suffers from a rare condition known as complex regional pain syndrome, which means he is often in excruciating pain that has left him feeling suicidal.

For relief, he relies on high doses of morphine and sometimes even ketamine.

The surgeon who has treated him for seven years has since become a friend.

Col Mark Foster, hand and plastic surgeon at the QE said he was an "ambassador" as far as patients were concerned.

"He thrives to try and put something back in", he said.

Colonel Mark Foster, hand and plastic surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital sits in his office with an X-ray of Matt Davies' left arm on the computer screen behind him.
Col Mark Foster, hand and plastic surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has become a close friend of Matt Davies

Mr Davies' fundraising total recently topped £100,000 but he isn't stopping there, with a full itinerary planned for 2025.

The events include a dinner with MasterChef The Professionals finalist Louisa Ellis in January.

And in May there will be a "great Brummie menu" event stage, with cooking by a host of Michelin-starred chefs including Glynn Purnell, Luke Tipping and Jon Howe.

But Mr Davies is under no illusion that next year might be tough for his health.

However, he said: "You have two choices you either give up, or you push on."