Leeds Children's Hospital fundraiser inspired by staff who saved life of meningitis patient turned nurse

It's particularly true in the case of one teenager who was rushed into hospital with meningitis 16 years ago.

Doctors discovered that Kayleigh Hirst had an abscess on her brain, but their efforts meant her life was saved and she could return home to her family after five weeks on Ward 52.

Today she works as a sister at the hospital, helping to care for children on the same ward where she was once treated herself.

And it's not just Kayleigh who has been inspired to take action based on the amazing support offered to her back then.

When Lucy Young turned 57 last May, she decided to take on a unique charity challenge to celebrate the milestone as she pledged to complete 57 reps of exercise each day for a whole

year.

A doting mum and grandma, she already led a very fit lifestyle and was a regular at the CrossFit HX5 gym near her home in Brighouse before lockdown.

"I've always wanted to give something back to the ward that saved Kayleigh’s life and with everything that happened in 2020, I knew that the staff would need my support more than

ever," she said.

"I've never fundraised before and at first I was scared I’d taken on too much. Although this challenge is physically tough one, it’s nothing compared to the emotional turmoil that Kayleigh

and her family went through."

Since starting the challenge in aid of Leeds Hospitals Charity, the dedicated fundraiser has used social media to share her daily 57 reps efforts with friends and family - from burpees and deadlifts, to squats and push ups.

At the halfway mark in November, she even encouraged others to join in and try to complete 57 reps in their own home.

Also in news: NHS staff and patients explain how Leeds Hospitals Charity makes a difference and why you should donate

As the dedicated charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Hospitals Charity - formerly Leeds Cares - provides an average of £5m each year towards equipment, services, education and research.

This has included donating £1m last year towards supporting the wellbeing of hospital staff working on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kayleigh said: "Lucy and her family were so supportive at a really scary time for me and my family, and we’re still so close now.

"My own experience in hospital inspired me to work at my local hospital and I want to help other children and their families going through the same traumatic time my family did.

"I joined in with the challenge to mark the halfway point and just one day was hard enough for me. What she’s doing is incredible!"

Lucy now has less than 100 days of her challenge left, with more than £1,250 raised so far to support Ward 5. Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lucy-Young19 to make a donation on her fundraising page.

Her fundraising efforts come after the Yorkshire Evening Post teamed up with Leeds Hospitals Charity for the Help Your Hospitals campaign. It asks our readers to help the charity to reach its goal of raising an additional £3m during 2021 by becoming a friend and making a regular donation each month.

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.