People urged to 'step up' and support latest fundraiser for Leeds Hospitals Charity

Leeds Hospitals Charity is encouraging supporters to put their best foot forward this summer for its latest fundraising challenge called ‘Step For Your NHS’.

In recognition of the average 10,000 steps a nurse walks during a 12-hour shift, the fundraiser invites people to set themselves a target of 20,000, 30,000 or 190,000 steps - with no set time limit - for a sponsored challenge in aid of the charity.

The target of 20,000 steps represents a step for each member of NHS staff at Leeds Teaching Hospitals; 30,000 steps match the average working week of an NHS nurse and the gruelling 190,000-step target represents the average week of a hospital porter.

Paul Watkins, director of fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “Our NHS heroes have worked incredibly hard over the past 18 months and definitely haven’t had much time off their feet - their steps really do count.

“This challenge is a wonderful way for the people of Leeds to make their own steps count this summer, by keeping fit and raising funds for our NHS hospitals when they need us the most.”

With no deadline for the challenge, fundraisers can choose to complete their steps over a week, a month, or even across a whole year.

It costs £5 to sign up and donations will help fund the charity's projects which can make a real difference at the trust - above and beyond what the NHS can provide.

The charity said its donations have made a “huge impact” during the coronavirus pandemic, when NHS staff have been under more pressure than ever, with over £1m invested into health and wellbeing initiatives earlier this year.

Clinical psychologist Jason Miller, whose role was funded thanks to that investment, has seen first-hand the impact the pandemic has had on staff.

He said: “Although our staff have fantastic clinical and medical training, none of them were emotionally prepared for these months and months of hardship.

"Our staff are so dedicated and selfless, they want to do whatever they can to help their patients and some felt ashamed to say they were struggling.”

To sign up ‘Step For Your NHS’ visit www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/step.

*Leeds Hospitals Charity raises funds for Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Wharfdale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.

It supports NHS staff to deliver the best care for over a million patients and their families each year.

Working with local communities, schools and businesses across the city and beyond, each year it provides £5m in additional funding for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

Earlier this year, the Yorkshire Evening Post joined Leeds Hospitals Charity to begin the Help Your Hospitals campaign.

It asks our readers to help the charity to raise an additional £3m during 2021 by becoming a friend and making a regular donation each month towards equipment, services, education and research at our local hospitals.

Text FRIEND to 70660 to donate £5 a month or visit leedshospitalscharity.org.uk to set up a regular donation for any sum or make a one-off gift to the charity.

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