Hospital staff peak during trek in aid of a charity very close to their hearts

Members of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Clinical Research Team took on the  Lathkill Loop in the Peak District to support the work of Marie Curie.

The nine members of the team, plus supporters, are all involved in cancer research in the Trust’s hospitals in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham. They wanted to come together in a massive team effort to raise money to help people living with terminal illness across the UK.

While the main purpose was to contribute to Marie Curie, individuals also had personal reasons and motivations to take on this challenge in memory of loved ones affected by cancer.

The challenge was organised by Assistant Research Practitioner Stephanie Barker and her mum Alison Cook.

Alison said: “I am raising money in memory of my lovely dad for Marie Curie because the Marie Curie team were so caring and kind. I cannot thank them enough for their care, kindness and support at the end of dad’s life. I don’t know what we would have done without them.

“This is why I am raising more so even more families can have that support, care and kindness too, when they need it most.”

The team was guided by Jarrod, a professional mountain guide who works with big charities to support people taking on these challenges.

Stephanie added: “We are all involved in cancer research at the Trust and we see patients every day who are living with cancer. We wanted to do something together as a team and this seemed like a brilliant challenge that would be fun and in aid of a cause that we are all very passionate about. Last year some of our team did the 5km Cancer Research UK Pretty Muddy challenge at Regatta Lake in Nottinghamshire.

“This year we all completed the 11 mile trek in aid of Marie Curie. It was tough at times, I think we experienced every kind of weather other than snow, but we all had a brilliant day. We managed the steep-sided gulley of the Lathkill Reserve, walked along the babbling River Bradford trying hard not to slip off of the wet lime stones, before cutting across the rolling fields back towards Monyash where we literally walked into a storm. It all contributed to the experience that relied on effective communication, endurance, patience and team working – all the attributes that make our department tick!”

Stephanie and Alison were joined by:

·       Research Practitioner Olesya Frances

·       Research Nurse Trish Tsuro

·       Research Delivery Team Lead Simon Archer

·       Cancer Research Radiographer Andy Sloan

·       Assistant Research Practitioner Rachel Newton

·       Radiotherapy Research Facilitation Radiographer Laura Walsh

·       Research Practitioner Kinga Szymiczek

They were also joined by fellow participant Pauline Hatcher during the challenge to make up their group of 10. Pauline was also walking in memory of loved ones and wanted to show her appreciation to the charity for all of its help and support.

Trish said: “Pauline complimented our research work and thanked us for looking after her as she fought to complete the challenge. Her story was one of loss and having that strength to carry on through adversity. She was an inspiration to us all.”

Kinga added: “We all know how important research is to tackle these diseases which is why we come to work every day. We also know how important and amazing the support provided by Marie Curie is and so for us to be able to do this as a team for such a worthy cause is simply brilliant. We were all proud to wear our yellow and blue tops during the challenge, receive our medals and are already thinking about what challenge we want to take on next!”

For more information about the challenge and to make a donation, please visit the Research Trotters fundraising for Marie Curie on JustGiving.