WE RAISED
£1,400
17th Jun 2024
Fundraising friends log thousands of steps to support patients living with dementia
Three friends from Liverpool took on a unique challenge to raise funds to support dementia patients in local hospitals.
Paul Growney, Brian Lightbody and Conor Heeney walked 26 miles between Southport, Ormskirk, Whiston and St Helens hospitals on Saturday 15th June to raise money for Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Charity.
As if the marathon distance wasn’t enough, the trio carried a log weighing more than 30kg to highlight the “hidden’’ weight experienced by dementia patients and their carers.
Paul, an Associate Non-Executive Director for Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, came up with the idea and asked his friends to join him in the challenge.
He said: “Working in the care sector and with my role at the Trust I see the amazing care provided to our elderly patients and those living with dementia.
“We carried the log to symbolise the hidden weight families and loved ones experience. We wanted to raise funds for these vulnerable patients and to show support for their families.’’
Brian embraced the challenge as he has personal experience of loved ones living with dementia.
He said: “Having had family members live with Dementia, I have seen in their last few years of life the devastating effects of the disease.
“It not only affects the individual, but all those who hold that person dear. Carrying the log to each hospital only represented a small part of the struggles families face when caring for a loved one with dementia. We hopefully raised much needed support for the hospitals and their patients.’’
The team set off from Southport Hospital at 6am, enduring variable weather conditions and enjoying lots of support from well-wishers en route, before reaching their final stop at Whiston hospital at just around 6pm.