OUR NHS hospital heroes have inspired three runners to go the distance and raise funds for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.
Teacher Jeff Singleton set a target of running every day until he reached an incredible 100 miles. He’s 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!
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 here.
Jeff and Erik Singleton ran more than 100 miles to raise funds for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity
Parent bedrooms
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, and refurbishing the current communal living areas and the play spaces in the Neonatal Unit. More information about the appeal can be found here.
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 aunty 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 here.
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.
Raised in memory
“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 aunty 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 dad 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.
Discover more information about the NHS Hospital Heroes appeal and donate here.
ENDS