A group of intrepid fundraisers has presented a cheque for £700 to support care at the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds.
Seven of the fundraisers are staff at Sunnyview House care home who were sponsored on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in July. Each attempted to complete the 24.5 mile (39.4km) route in under 12 hours across the Pennine peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Then in November four students at Leeds City College who are related to staff at Sunnyview House were sponsored on a 22km bike ride around Leeds, starting and finishing at the care home, as part of their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness) course.
Debbie Fawthrop, lifestyle coordinator at Sunnyview House said:
“Together we decided to donate all the money raised to Wheatfields as they do amazing work.
“The hospice has a community outreach clinic at Sunnyview House each Friday. This provides a range of specialist palliative care services for local patients and carers including appointments with medical and nursing staff, complimentary therapies and a drop-in facility for support and advice.”
Ryan Grant, sports lecturer and football coach at Leeds City College said: “The students, with the aid of Sunnyview House, were able to successfully combine a unit of their educational programme which involves organising sports events with supporting an established charity helping local people.
“On the day of the event the weather conditions were tough but the students stuck together and completed their bike ride, showcasing the positive relationships built between themselves and supporting the local community.”
Charlene Holdsworth is a healthcare assistant on the Day Therapy Unit at Wheatfields and runs the drop-in sessions at Sunnyview House. Charlene said:
“We really appreciate the support of everyone who took on the challenges and everyone who has sponsored them, it’s a fantastic total, thank you.
“To put it in context £700 could cover the cost of a nurse for a week caring for people in the local community with incurable illnesses.”
Wheatfields Hospice was established over 35 years ago and provides holistic and personalised end of life care as well as offering people and their families emotional and psychological support during what can be an extremely difficult time.
Sunnyview House provides residential, nursing and dementia care in Leeds and is part of Hadrian Healthcare Group.
This post was written by Alison Fowler using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
