Around 40 members staff from a Bishops Cleeve medical centre are making the lockdown countdown count this month, virtually covering the length of Britain between them to raise vital funds for their local hospice.
Nurses, doctors, a phlebotomist, and clerical staff will between them walk, run or cycle 874 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, with virtual stop offs along the way, to stay fit, boost their mental health and raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Practice Nurse, Jo Newhall, 52 from Bishops Cleeve, is behind the get-fit feel-good fundraiser.
She said, “Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following nine months of treatment I went up to the hospice for some acupuncture treatment and the visit made me realise the true breadth and depth of care Sue Ryder offers patients and their families.
“In my job at Cleevelands Medical Centre some of our patients regularly receive care from Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. It is such a wonderful place, which we are lucky to have right on our doorstep.
“Towards the end of last year lots of staff at the medical centre really started embracing doing more exercise and we got speaking about it. I thought ‘why not do something good and help raise funds for charity at the same time?’
“We wanted to wait for springtime and the better weather to organise something, and that is how Marching for March came about. We chose to support Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice because they rely so much on charity donations. A lot of us had read about the terrible impact the pandemic has had on Sue Ryder’s fundraising and we wanted to help. A number of our staff have been supported by the hospice too.”
Secretary Lin Steed’s father was cared for at the hospice. She said, “My Dad spent his last day and night in Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in January 1998. He was only 51, which is the same age that I am now, so this last year has been a bit of an emotional milestone for me.”
“I didn’t appreciate at that time just how young he actually was, me being only in 20s with two young children at the time. When I arrived at the hospice after they called me in, I was obviously shocked and upset and they were so nice to me, I’d never had to deal with anything like this before in my life. They prepared me for what to expect when I went into his room to sit with him for his last few hours.”
“They left us alone but were also completely on hand if we needed anything or had any questions. It was obvious that he was in extremely good, caring hands. He was very comfortable and content, also in such beautiful surroundings. It’s very sad that we have to lose people but we are so very lucky to have such a beautiful place locally in which to spend our last days with our loved ones.”
Melissa Harvison, a member of Cleevelands Medical Centre reception team, has also had a family member cared for by the hospice. She said, “My Mum spent her final week in the care of Sue Ryder and passed away on 1st July 2011. The care she received was fantastic. It didn’t feel clinical when we visited and we were told we could visit at any time – day or night – if we wanted to sit with our lovely Mum.”
“This meant so much to my Dad, my sister and me and although Mum was ill she was treated with dignity and respect. She died peacefully with us holding her hand.”
The team start their challenge on 1st March, with partners, children and even four legged friends all getting in on the act to help to contribute towards the walking and fundraising target. Jo adds, “I hope everyone who works at the medical centre will contribute a mile or a donation. We have a variety of cyclists taking part, people covering the miles on treadmills at home and people walking their dogs – although we can’t count the miles walked by the dogs as that won’t be fair! Everyone has their own little route and their own targets.”
“We have plotted out a large map which is on display at work which will motivate people. We’ve also set up a WhatsApp Group, a Strava Group and I will be awarding a medal each week for fun things like the most exotic selfie taken while exercising of the best head gear to help keep us all motivated.”
The team at the medical centre have been working extremely hard during the coronavirus pandemic, and Jo hopes the Marching on March fundraiser will help give everyone a spring in their step as the UK hopefully makes its way out of lockdown.
Jo said, “The team at the medical centre have done all they can during the pandemic to make sure our duties and our work has been carried out as near normal as possible. We’ve been working additional hours giving Covid vaccinations in our own time too.
“At times it has been stressful, but we have such a supportive team. There have been a lot of demands on us but we have pulled together and everyone has shown such resilience so we can continue to provide excellent care for our local community. I am really proud of how we have all worked together. I hope the fundraiser will be a little bit of fun for us all after the end of a very long year and we’re all thrilled by end of last week to have raised £750 already, before we’d even laced up our trainers!
“Getting out and about is so good for our physical and mental health. Exercise has helped make a lot of us more resilient during the pandemic. I hope Marching on March will give us the motivation we need to march our way out of lockdown – virtually – together.”
To donate to Cleeveland Medical Centre’s Marching on March fundraiser in support of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marchingformarch