A woman whose life was saved by The Walton Centre after a bleed on the brain is now raising thousands of pounds through fundraising for the specialist NHS Trust’s dedicated charity.
Six years ago, Clare Wilson experienced life-threatening illness while living near Chester and was rushed to The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
A coil, which stops the bleeding, was implanted into her brain and in the intervening years, she has had several further treatments and surgeries to maintain her health.
Ahead of further surgery at The Walton Centre, Clare has taken on a monumental challenge to raise money for The Walton Centre Charity, and has so far raised more than £25,000, which will help to fund the treatment and rehabilitation services delivered by the specialist centre.
An avid runner, Clare decided to set the challenge of doing the equivalent of a triathlon every day for 30 days – with help from her colleagues at Co-Op.
“Looking back now I realise it was quite a big challenge! But I knew I had amazing people around me to get stuck in and help,” she says.
“I also wanted to aim high with the fundraising target and set £20,000. Thank goodness we kept a spreadsheet to keep track of everyone’s progress!”
Collectively, Clare and her team ran 5km, swam half a mile and cycled 20km each day for the month of November 2022.
Clare continued: “I couldn’t believe the outpouring of support I received. It really inspired friends, family and complete strangers to donate to our cause.
“Altogether we raised over £25,000 for The Walton Centre Charity and I couldn’t be happier.
“Times are hard and it feels amazing to be able to give support back to the hospital like this, and I’m so proud of my colleagues who stepped up and took part in the challenge.
“We’re looking forward to supporting the charity more in the future.”
Of her experience of The Walton Centre, Clare said: “Honestly, I owe them my life, I couldn’t have paid for a better service.
“Every time I’ve had to come in for surgery the hospital has been exemplary in their care for me. Initially I spent a lot of time on Dott Ward and the staff were so attentive and supportive.
“So to thank them properly I just had to do something to raise some money for The Walton Centre Charity.”
Anne Hodgson, community fundraiser at The Walton Centre Charity, said: “I’m blown away by the fundraising Clare and her team have done for us.
“This incredible achievement means that unwell patients will have an enhanced level of rehabilitation when they need it most.
“I will be forever grateful to Clare and her colleagues for the difference this will make to patients.”
