We have raised thousands of pounds for our charity over a single weekend after staff, patients and relatives came together for two challenges.
More than 90 people took part, including grateful patients, relatives and frontline health workers from areas including emergency care. Over the two days, they all helped raise funds for North Tees and Hartlepool Together – our Trust charity.
Some of the group represented the Trust in a wider event involving several NHS trusts in the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The challenge takes on Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough on a 24 mile circular route in the Yorkshire Dales.
The following day, another group took part in the Great North Run – our first formal involvement in the event.
As part of the event, the Trust formed part of the official charity village in South Shields. This included physiotherapy support from final year students at Teesside University and Corporate Personal Wellbeing based in Darlington.
Though fundraising for the events still continues. So far more than £18,000 has been raised for investment patient care and staff health and wellbeing.
Great North Run
Doctor Lottie Ayres Nicholson, a community pharmacist for the Trust, took part in the Great North Run.
Lottie wanted to raise money to help show her gratitude to the Trust’s maternity service and the North Tees and Hartlepool Maternity Voices Partnership, an organisation set up to link maternity services with patient voices.
This was following the birth of her son, Rudy, six years ago which involved some complications.
She said: “The event itself was beautiful. It was a celebration of all the money being raised as well as of the Queen.
“Everything was exciting – the jelly babies, ice lollies, high fives from people in the crowd. It was very special to be a part of.
“To raise money for the organisation who helped me was also so special.”
Lottie Ayres Nicholson, community pharmacist
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Emily Baker, a staff nurse in critical care at the University Hospital of North Tees, took part in the Three Peaks challenge.
She said: “I love my job and I love a challenge. I’m used to working under challenging conditions in intensive care so this challenge definitely appealed to me.
“I think about the challenges our patients face and they inspire me to test myself.
“The three peaks challenge meant more than the fundraising and physical challenge to me. It’s such an achievement and gave me memories I will carry for a lifetime.”
The two charity events have raised vital funds
Suzi Campbell, fundraising co-ordinator, said: “These two events – which took place over the course of a weekend – have helped raise vital funds to go back into frontline patient care.
“And it would not have been possible if not for the togetherness and the generosity of everyone who took part and every single person who donated money to the cause, as well as the many local organisations who sponsored the event including our own NTH Solutions and Tesco’s on Durham Road, and individuals including Liza Hudson who transported many of our wonderful Y3P walkers.
“Staff who work so hard for the organisation, as well as patients who have been cared for by us and their grateful friends and relatives, all took part in these events.
“Seeing myself the impact our organisation has had on so many people has only made us more determined to raise even more money over the coming months.
“Every penny raised goes towards helping us invest, innovate and improve the quality of care we provide.”
Suzi Campbell, fundraising co-ordinator