Derriford team to take on Snowdon for charity

Nine members of staff from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust will be taking on the Snowdon Challenge in July to raise money for the charity, Sands.

Colleagues from the Ocean Suite at Derriford hospital have decided to trek up Wales biggest mountain, Snowdon, in just one day to raise money for Sands, the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK.

The Ocean Suite at the Trust (UHP) provides care for all pregnancy related conditions up to 20 weeks gestation and the team wanted to give back to Sands who provides bereavement training, guidance, and service user support for staff, as well as memory boxes and keepsakes for bereaved parents.

Taking on the 1,085m mountain on 03 July will be a mixed ability team of nurses and healthcare assistants made up of Hayley Foulkes, Sarah Black, Ellie Morcom, Karah Mills, Stacey Styles, Kayley Middlemiss, May Maddawin, Grace Kent, Kayleigh Davenport. Kayleigh, who is the Deputy Manager of Ocean Suite said: “We are all really excited and have all recently started some form of exercise to get us ready for our six to eight hour climb!

“The hospital pressures have had a real impact on staff and patients over the past 24 months so I thought I would arrange an exciting and positive challenge for the staff to take part in whilst giving something back to a charity close to our hearts.

“I think miscarriage is often a subject that people don’t feel comfortable discussing, but the correct care and resources can really give you a light at the end of the tunnel. Therefore, we want to raise as much money as we can while raising awareness as well. We will dedicate the funds to all of the lovely families we have met whilst caring for them and say a big thank you to Sands as well.”

As part of their Snowdon challenge, the team had to reach a fundraising target of £2000. To help achieve their goal, Kayleigh organised a quiz and raffle night at the Green Taverners located at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park on 26 April. Over 50 prizes were donated to the raffle from local businesses keen to support the cause and entertainment was provided by two local artists.  

Thanks to the hard work of the team and the support of those around them, they have now exceeded their £2000 target and have reached over £3000 with donations still coming in. For anyone interested in supporting the team, you can find more information here.

For more information on Sands visit www.sands.org.uk.