The Health Tree Foundation The Health Tree Foundation

Grandad completes mammoth walk for grandson

The intrepid trio suffered sore knees and thighs, as well as tiredness, as they walked the Hadrian’s Wall walk charity challenge. John Green’s discomfort was worth it though as he raised more than £2,480 in aid of Grimsby hospital’s official charity, The Health Tree Foundation (HTF).

John undertook the challenge with friends Neil Burns and Cliff Roberts, and they found themselves walking between eight to 12 hours a day. The money raised by John will go towards the hospital’s neonatal unit.

John said: “Nine hours into the first day of walking I really started to doubt whether I could complete what I had set out to do. I just pictured my grandson Dexter and continued to put one foot in front of the other.”

Dexter was born suddenly at 34 weeks and had to stay on the neonatal unit at Grimsby hospital for two weeks. John said: “In recognition of the fantastic work the unit and its staff do for babies and their families I set myself the challenge. I want to thank everyone who has supported us and helped us smash our £1,000 target.”

John added: “At one point the only way I thought I was going to finish was by being airlifted off the path by helicopter! I rang my wife as I soaked my swollen feet in ice water and she told me to man-up and get on with it as a lot of people had sponsored me.

“What became clear was my preparation wasn’t good enough and that maybe endurance isn’t my strength. It is one thing to walk 20 miles a day but another to walk that distance for three consecutive days.”

Lauren Alexander, HTF’s community champion said: “What an incredible man John is for putting himself through his paces on the walk. We are extremely grateful for his support and ambition. As he knows the money will be used to grant wishes on the unit to provide a more comfortable environment for mums and babies. Thank you”.

If you would like to take part in a challenge yourself to raise money for The Health Tree Foundation please contact community champion Lauren Alexander on 03033 304514 or lauren.alexander@nhs.net

 

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