Runners raise money for our hospital heroes

April 20, 2021 Off By admin

Our NHS hospital heroes have inspired people
to get out running to raise money for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity this month.

Teacher Jeff Singleton set a target of
running every day until he reached 100 miles. He has been running with his
eight-month-old son Erik in his buggy – one of Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s
youngest ever fundraisers. And he’s done so well that he’s now aiming to reach
200 miles.

Jeff, of Baildon, said: “Erik is our first
child and we had an amazing experience when he was born at Bradford Royal
Infirmary last August. The midwives were fantastic. Although he didn’t need the
Neonatal Unit, we believe it’s a really worthy appeal so any money we raise
will be split between the Big Neonatal Appeal and the NHS Hospital Heroes
Appeal, which supports staff and patients impacted by Covid-19.”

Jeff, whose wife Caroline works in Quality
Improvement at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said Erik
loves going out running with him in his special running buggy and it quickly
settles him down. He added: “He’s not a very good sleeper, so we’ve spent many
early mornings out running. I take a flask of coffee and we’ve sat overlooking
the glen.”

You can see the many photos Jeff has taken
while out running with Erik and donate at http://www.justgiving.com/jandered

The Big Neonatal Appeal aims to improve the current parental facilities in the Neonatal Unit by building five additional parent bedrooms, creating an outdoor area for parents, refurbishing the current communal living areas and the play spaces in the Neonatal Unit. More information can be found at https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/big-neonatal-appeal/

Sisters Fiona Carroll, of Queensbury, and Clare Boyle, of Brighouse. have set a target of
running 3.4K every day for 30 days to raise money for Bradford Hospitals’
Charity’s NHS Hospital Heroes Appeal, as a thank you for the exceptional care
their auntie received in the Intensive Care Unit before she sadly passed away
from Covid-19 in January.

Fiona said: “With lots of love and laughs
still in her, she was taken from us very young. She was cared for and looked
after by the doctors and nurses in ICU at Bradford Royal Infirmary. The nurses
worked under extremely difficult circumstances but still couldn’t do enough for
our auntie and her family.”

You can follow Fiona and Clare’s progress and
donate at http://www.justgiving.com/Fiona-Carroll5

Hayley Collis, Head of Fundraising for
Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “It’s a real testament to our wonderful
staff here at Bradford Teaching Hospitals that patients and families want to
say thank you.

“Fiona and Clare suffered a heartbreaking
loss and we all offer our sincere condolences to them and their family. The
money they raise in memory of their auntie will be used to support our staff,
patients and families affected by Covid-19.

“We are all thrilled to see the photos of
smiling little Erik and his did Jeff running to say thank you to our staff.
Erik is one of our youngest ever fundraisers!”

So far, Bradford Hospitals’ Charity has invested around £390,000
in supporting staff and patients impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has
funded staff wellbeing rooms, counselling and technology to keep patients and
families connected. The money has been raised by people like Fiona, Clare and
Jeff, as well as larger organisations, as part of the Bradford Hospitals‘
Charity NHS Hospital Heroes appeal. Bradford Hospitals’ Charity has also
benefited from grants received from NHS Charities Together.

To find out more about the NHS Hospital Heroes appeal and to
donate, visit https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/nhshospitalheroes