Elmtronics have taken on the ‘Ultimate Challenge’ after naming the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation as its ‘Charity of the Year’.
Staff from Elmtronics headquarters in Consett have raised more than £2,600 after kicking off their support for the Foundation with the ‘Ultimate Challenge’.
The week-long event involved 146.5 miles of running, swimming and cycling challenges all completed by Technical Director, Anthony Piggott with the support of the team helping at each stage. This is the first in a series of events that the company has planned to raise funds for the Hospital which they say has given their families “amazing care”.
Anthony launched the challenge by swimming the 7-mile length of Ullswater supported by Finance Director Paul Lancaster. CEO Dan Martin then joined them to start the epic 126.4-mile coast to coast from Whitehaven to Sunderland.
Having initially planned to complete Great North Run as part of their fundraising efforts before it was cancelled in June, the team then finished the challenge together with their very own ‘Virtual Great North Run’. Joined by HR Manager Louise Gillingham, Anthony and the team ran from Consett to Newcastle, finishing the challenge on the quayside.
Speaking about why the Foundation means a lot to her Louise said:
“My son Lewis was born with a rare condition and he has undergone three big surgeries at the GNCH in 12 months. The first when he was only 24 hours old. The care has always been absolutely amazing especially Ward 9 so it means a lot to be able to support the Foundation and to have the support of my colleagues in doing so.
“The hospital has helped many of our families over the years, so we are all getting on board with the fundraising. Lewis’s big sister Erin who has just turned five has even taken part in the 2.6 challenge both running and on her scooter as a thank you to the care given to her little brother.”
“Anthony’s daughter Sophia has also got involved, she’s following in her father’s footsteps and is a keen open water swimmer and has taken on a series of open water swimming challenges. Between them they have raised more than £600 before the main challenge had even begun!” https://www.youtube.com/embed/R3H-8NCUcKc?feature=oembed
Operations Support Manager Kate Walker also spoke of the support her son Ben had received:
“As soon as my son was born the consultant said he would need some intervention, little did we know he would need 10 operations, to get him as fit and healthy as he is today.
“The staff at GNCH were just unbelievable, it felt like a hotel and the way they looked after him and addressed his fears and concerns was brilliant particularly as he got older. They were always happy to change things and make them as easy as possible for Ben, they were just fantastic from start to finish.
“Ben is fit and healthy now and it’s thanks to everyone at the Great North Children’s Hospital, everyone there is just worth their weight in gold.
The Great North Children’s Hospital at the RVI Newcastle offers the most extensive range of children’s services anywhere in the UK outside of London. Fundraising and donations allow us to make a positive difference, helping us to provide the very latest equipment and support for staff that develop new areas of research and constantly strive to improve the way we do things. Fundraising also supports the many children and their families who come through the hospital, making their experience the best it possibly can be.
The decision of which charity to support was chosen by staff in a vote in which 98% chose to support the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation which is part of the family of the Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
Elmtronics have already started planning their next fundraising challenge. In October they are planning to run a pumpkin carving competition and in November the team are looking to continue to clock up miles and donations with an in office sponsored walk and cycle involving staff from across the business.
Dr Mike Mckean, consultant in respiratory paediatrics and clinical director of the Great North Children’s Hospital, said:
“We really appreciate the amazing efforts of everyone at Elmtronics who have taken part in this fantastic challenge and we are delighted that they have chosen to support the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation as charity of the year helping us to provide the best possible care for our patients and families.
“Working at the Great North Children’s Hospital gives us the chance to have a real impact on the day-to-day lives and long-term wellbeing of children and their families. Thanks to donations to our Foundation we are able to continue to enhance patient care, fund vital equipment, support staff training and development and fund new and innovative research projects.”
Lucy Mallin, Senior Sister, Ward 9 added:
“I’d just like to offer my gratitude to the team at Elmtronics for undertaking this incredible challenge in honour of GNCH and the team on Ward 9. I’m incredibly proud of the Ward 9 team and honoured that we have been able to make such a difference to Lewis and his family throughout his journey with us”
If you are interested in supporting the Newcastle Hospitals Charity or any of its charitable funds including the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation as charity of the year please contact our team by emailing [email protected]
