Oldham student nurse joins colleagues in epic fundraising challenge

A hospital team are swapping stethoscopes for sweat bands in a bid to get fit and raise money for their department.

The staff at the Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital have set themselves challenges themed around the number 72 to complete throughout August.

More than 70 staff from the department are taking part, including Ben Hughes, a student nurse from Oldham, who is running 72km in total throughout the month.

While some are running or cycling 72 miles or kilometres over the course of the month, others have set themselves daily challenges such as 72 squats or 72 sit ups.

The number 72 has been chosen in a nod to the NHS 72nd Birthday this summer and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity’s #72for72NHS campaign – which has seen fundraisers doing a 72-themed challenge or setting themselves a £72 fundraising target.

PED’s Modern Matron Sue Rothwell said: “Although the actual challenge you choose is a solo activity, it’s really brought us together as a team – everyone taking part encourages each other and we’re always sending updates and photos to the WhatsApp group we’ve set up for it.

“Of course we don’t do any of it on the ward or during work, so some people have been getting up really early to get their challenge in before their shift starts.

“It’s really pleasing that so many people have jumped at the chance to take part.”

While a lot of the challenges are exercise-based, some are aimed at becoming healthier both physically and mentally.

One fundraiser has set herself the task of drinking 72 litres of water throughout the month, while another team member is making 72 “little bags of happiness” to gift to people who might benefit from a mood boost.

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity is part of a team of hospital charities under the umbrella name of Manchester Foundation Trust Charity which this summer is celebrating the NHS 72nd birthday.

The charity, which fundraises for hospitals across Manchester and Trafford, is hoping supporters will take on the #72for72NHS challenge by fundraising around the theme of the number 72.

Participants can either choose to raise £72 or do a 72-themed challenge.

The charity has seen lots of people taking part in the #72for72NHS challenge, including running team Daddies Escape who choose a 10K theme for their challenges, eight-year-old fundraiser George who held a scavenger hunt around Glossop and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity patron and Hollyoaks star Ashley Taylor Dawson, who ran 50km with his friend Jay.

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity fundraises throughout the year to support the treatment, research and care of young patients treated at the children’s hospital in Oxford Road, Manchester.

The hospital sees more than 276,000 patients per year and takes in patients from across the North West and beyond.

To sponsor the team, click here

To sign up to the #72for72NHS challenge and get inspiration for fundraising ideas, visit: www.mftcharity.org.uk/72

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