NHS staff conquer Yorkshire Three Peaks for charity

A team of health professionals from the local mental health and learning disabilities trust laced up their walking boots and conquered the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to fundraise for NHS charity.

Six staff members from the adult community mental health team (CMHT) at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge on Saturday 14 September 2019.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks route is 24 miles (38.6km) includes 1585m (5200ft) of ascent and takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. To meet the challenge the course needs to be completed in under 12 hours.

Kerry Vickers, a practitioner in the team said:

“Mental health affects all of us and we never know when we may need to access support. As mental health professionals we challenged ourselves to push beyond our comfort zones and physical limits to raise funds which we have now given to our community support groups, who support those experiencing mental health difficulties.”

The funds have been split between service user support groups in the Grantham and Sleaford areas, and were handed over in a small celebration event on 24 October. The Grantham and Sleaford wellbeing and mental health support groups are there to offer individuals the opportunity to build friendships, self-confidence and their mental wellbeing in a safe and confidential environment.

Sue Williams from the Sleaford group said:

“We are really delighted to receive this donation. With the money we are hoping to build a library of wellbeing books, and we’re looking forward to having a few day trips out. The ‘Beyond the Blues’ group were hoping to plant some new bulbs in our garden for the spring, and this money will help towards buying those. Our groups are peer support groups; so every penny counts and we’re very thankful for this donation.”

The money raised has gone through the Trust’s charity, Charitable Funds. LPFT’s staff and patients regularly fundraise for the Trust’s Charitable Funds; the money is used to enhance services and facilities that would otherwise not be funded by the NHS. Their remaining funds will be used to provide a festive lunch for the team’s most vulnerable client group.

Philip Jackson, Chair of the Trust’s Charitable Funds said:

“It is admirable that staff want to take on such physical challenges for their patients. Our charity is here to help the Trust provide the best care possible for our patients.”

The team called, ‘Scrambled legs N achin’ includes Kerry Vickers, Olivia Connors, Trudy Robinson, Adam Grove, Tom Gamble and Elizabeth Mitchell.