14:00, 10 May 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
A group of NHS frontline workers are clocking up miles - on foot and by bike - to raise £5,000 to refurbish their staff room.
More than 140 staff members at Manchester Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department, including doctors, nurses, physios, managers and administration staff, committed to covering 2,021 miles during April, but smashed their target by logging more than 6,300 miles.
They are now trying to reach their £5,000 fundraising target. All the money raised on their JustGiving Page will go to the Manchester Royal Infirmary Charity and will be used primarily for refurbishing their staff room. Any leftover funds will go towards other wellbeing projects at the department.
Organiser Dr Emma Everitt explained: “As Covid and social distancing came in, we moved out of our small staff room to a larger conference room. But to allow space the table had to be removed, so often the staff end up eating lunch on their lap and it’s not a very comfortable place for taking a break.
“We’d love for it to be a much more fit-for-purpose room where we can relax on our break and enjoy it properly. Any additional money we have left over the Charity would be able to use for other health and wellbeing projects in the hospital.”
Dr Everitt organised the event by splitting challenge participants into groups. There are nine teams in total and each team competes to clock up the most miles each week.
As miles only count outside of work, and walking around the hospital during a shift isn’t included, the challenge also encouraged staff members to get fit and active on their days off. It has also helped people to feel more connected and get to know each other.
Dr Everitt added: “We’re all quite competitive so having the leaderboard each week has really spurred everyone on.
“It’s also really brought us closer together as a team and people have really bonded with staff who they might not have worked with or known very well before now.
“Going through Covid, having the lockdown restrictions and not being able to see family and friends has meant it’s been a really trying year. This has given us something different to focus on.
“Instead of starting a shift talking about Covid and lockdown, everyone’s asking each other how many miles they’ve done.”
Manchester Royal Infirmary Charity’s fundraising officer Shannon Appleyard has been supporting the team with their fundraising. She said: “It’s so encouraging when a fundraising challenge not only raises money, but it also brings a team close together. What’s even more amazing about this challenge is that it’s also helped people to become fitter and healthier too.
“I want to extend a big ‘well done’ to everyone who took part.”
To sponsor the group visit their fundraising page or to find out more about Manchester Royal Infirmary Charity visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
