A TRIUMPHANT team from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) ascended nearly 1,000metres into the mountains when they embarked on their charity Mont Blanc trek.
The team travelled 40 miles across four days, crossing the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland and taking on climbs the equivalent of walking up the Eiffel Tower three times each day.
The trek aimed to raise cash for services for patients at UHCW NHS Trust with £15,000 donated to their cause so far.
This challenge had been a long time in the making as plans had to be continually delayed due to the pandemic, but once the date was confirmed the team began training regimes ranging from hikes up Malvern Hills to walking up and down the UHCW staircases.
The trek team, made up of nurses, consultants, physios, chaplains and external supporters, had to endure everything from aches and pains to downpours on their journey.
UHCW charity director Jo O’Sullivan said: “People had massive blisters and bleeding ankles on the trip but thankfully we had a team of physios and physicians that managed to help us all through it.
“It was a really fun group – the majority of us didn’t know each other beforehand but the camaraderie was excellent.
“The heights were quite scary but when you were able to open your eyes the views were spellbinding.”
One of the trekkers Heather Tysall, who is a Consultant Nurse in Acute Medicine, was admitted to the hospital 12 years ago following a car crash and spent seven days recovering in the trauma ward.
She said: “Being on both sides of the fence I understand the needs and the support the charity offers from both the clinical and the patient perspective.
“Thanks to the help from the staff at UHCW I am still able to push myself physically.”
Jo added: “Heather was fantastic – she had a few problems with her knee but she kept going, she was a real inspiration.”
The cash will now go towards providing life-saving equipment for patients and support for their families.
And Jo said plans were already under way for a smaller challenge next year followed by another overseas fund-raiser in 2024.
Visit justgiving.com/team/uhcwcharitytrekkers to donate to the trekkers and https://uhcwcharity.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=60b2a4228370ade16e5c44135&id to sign up for future challenges.
