HOSPICE WORKERS GO THE DISTANCE
MEMBERS of staff at Ty Hafan, the hospice for children in Wales, have walked the equivalent of 7.8 marathons around the hospice gardens in Sully, near Cardiff, in just 12 and a half hours, smashing their target to walk the marathon distance of 26.2 miles – and all on top of doing their day jobs.
Care workers and nurses were joined by representatives from across all areas of the charity to do the walk.
They set out to do a marathon in a bid to raise funds to cover the cost of one 12-and-a-half-hour care shift at the hospice which provides palliative care and support for more than 270 children with a life-limiting condition and their families across Wales.
“On any one working day a Team Ty
Hafan nurse will work a 12-and-ahalf-hour shift,” said Director of Care Deb Ho. “Our colleagues in fundraising are encouraging our supporters across Wales to do a Marathon in May for us. So we decided we’d do our own Marathon in May relay around the hospice, walking continuously for 12 and a half hours.
“The initial aim was to cover the distance of one marathon: 26.2 miles. But in the event, Team Ty Hafan walked 412 laps of our gardens over 12 and a half hours. This amounts to an amazing 206 miles or a whopping 7.8 marathons.”
Deb added: “We did this to promote the great opportunity that Marathon in May offers for people of all ages and abilities to get out and about and challenge themselves – and to raise some money in the process.
“We set ourselves the target of raising £6,538, which might seem a funny figure, but in fact that is the total cost of covering a 12-and-half-hour period of nursing care at Ty Hafan.
“So far we’re on £1,645 which is brilliant. But we’d love to hit our target and every penny we receive in donations will be gratefully received.”
While the funds raised will go towards the care and support of children and families who turn to us for help and support there have also been other benefits to doing this event too, including a real sense of the feelgood factor.
“It was important to me to take part in this event raising vital funds to continue the awesome work that takes place at Ty Hafan. To see people come together, metaphorically of course, with the same aim has been truly special after a really difficult 14 months.” said Nicole Crimmings, Family Support Lead.
“It was so nice being back in the hospice enjoying the beautiful grounds, seeing staff and children again, all whilst raising money and awareness of a truly amazing charity. Once again the staff all came together and you got a real sense of how amazing team Ty Hafan is,” said Kirsty Gibbs, family support practitioner.
“It’s been such a lovely way to break up the day, safely catch up with people we haven’t seen for a while and all whilst raising money to support the hospice. It’s a privilege to work here and a pleasure to support,” said complementary therapy practitioner Abi Tong, who did the walk while dressed as a banana.
“It was lovely to be part of a team effort. The children’s reaction to the unicorn costume was my favourite bit,” added Kelly-Jo Milford, sibling support worker and Team Ty Hafan Marathon in May’s very own unicorn.
To donate to Team Ty Hafan’s Marathon in May fundraiser go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tyhafanhospicerelay
And to find out more about doing your own Marathon in May go to: https://www.tyhafan.org/marathonin-may/