Leeds nurse marks 40th birthday with tough charity challenges

Hannah Wilson took the plunge in the Great North Swim this month and plans to follow that by competing in the 40th Great North Run this September.

All proceeds from Hannah's fundraising efforts will go to Sue Ryder’s Wheatfields Hospice where she works as a community palliative care nurse specialist.

She took part in the one-mile Great North Swim at Lake Windermere earlier this month along with her Sue Ryder colleague Julie Marshall Pallister and friend Kelly Scotney.

She said: ‘I try and exercise regularly but I’m not exactly sporty and to be honest I was totally winging it with the swimming! I’ve only swum a few times this year but I just wanted to get round and raise money for Wheatfields.

‘I’ve never done the Great North Swim before. We had planned to do it last year but obviously that was postponed. Then I really got into open water swimming over lockdown.’

Hannah and Julie swam their mile together and have already raised more than £1,600 for the Hospice: "The water itself was choppier than we expected, but was surprisingly not cold, and the views when we were out there in the lake were absolutely incredible. We are very proud of ourselves, and each other!"

In three months’ time Hannah will also be part of a team of Wheatfields staff taking on the Great North Run on September 12.

The mother-of-two who celebrated her 40th in April , started running after she had her children, now aged nine and 11. It will be the third time she has done the Great North Run.

"I run every week but I have done a lot less over lockdown so this will probably be my slowest time. This one has also rolled over from last year and there is a ‘multi-disciplinary’ team of us from Wheatfields who planned to do it then."

For Hannah, who has been part of the Wheatfields community team for six years supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses in their homes in south Leeds, it is a cause close to her heart.

"I love being a community CNS, it is such a privileged and rewarding role, supporting individuals and their families facing a life-limiting illness. The last year has been very challenging , and has felt incredibly busy at times, caring for individuals in the community," said Hannah.

"Those that we care for have faced difficulties as a result of the pandemic, in addition to dealing with their illnesses. We have not limited our input at all, and have continued to work alongside district nurses, ensuring that patients receive a high standard of care at home. In addition, the home-working has meant that it’s been quite lonely and it has also been very emotional at times."

To sponsor Hannah visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/hannah-wilson113*******************

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