University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity flagship event, Walk for Wards kicks off in just a few weeks on Saturday 28 September, and it’s time to stride with pride to further enhance our local hospitals.
Dedicated NHS colleagues, patients, families, community groups and more are gearing up to walk 3km, 5km or 10km through Upton Country Park in Poole to fundraise for the amazing services across University Hospitals Dorset.
Walk for Wards participants can raise funds for any ward, department or service that has touched their life. Every step taken and pound raised paves the way for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity to further enhance the care for patients and the wellbeing of all NHS staff.
Dedicated NHS colleagues, patients, families, community groups and more are gearing up to walk 3km, 5km or 10km through Upton Country Park in Poole to fundraise for the amazing services across University Hospitals Dorset.
One team keen to lace up their walking boots are University Hospitals Dorset’s Addiction Care and Treatment Services (ACTS) covering both Royal Bournemouth and Poole Hospital sites – who are joining the movement to provide even better care for our community.
University Hospitals Dorset ACTS administrator, Lenka Pepuchova, said: “I’m thrilled that the ACTS team are taking part.
“We are raising awareness of the impact of alcohol and addiction on peoples’ lives and raising funds for the services we provide to the community every day. Together, we can truly make a difference!
“There are many fantastic ways to show your support and help our team! You can donate directly to the ACTS fundraiser or sign up for Walk for Wards 2024 and walk alongside us on the big day! Every step and penny make a difference.”
Striding alongside the ACTS team will be members of the hospitals’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Radiology Department and other services making a difference in the lives of patients and their families across Dorset.
University Hospitals Dorset NICU practice education lead, Marianne Spicer, will be joining Walk for Wards with her sister and a friend – and she hopes to see others go the extra mile at the event too.
Marianne said: “I have worked on NICU for 31 years, and I trained with the trust – so I’ve been a part of the Trust for 34 years now. I’m participating in Walk for Wards for several reasons.
“As I have long COVID and used to run 5km regularly, I am determined to challenge myself to be able to walk it as this will be hard for me. Moreover, I want to fundraise for the NICU to ensure parents receiving support from our team have the extra items they need when they’re going through an incredibly stressful time.”
Participants can also take part in Walk for Wards for The BEACH Appeal to help University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity fund additional teams for the new Birth, Emergency, Critical Care and Children’s Health departments coming to the BEACH Building from Spring 2025 at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Ready, set, go sign up for Walk for Wards today to make a life-changing difference for University Hospitals Dorset: UHDcharity.org/walk-for-wards/