Staff lacing up boots for marathon charity walk once more
Staff from UHDB are once more lacing up their walking boots to tackle a charity walkathon to raise awareness and funds about continence issues.
The 26 mile, marathon-length walk will see staff walking from Derby County Community Trust to Burton Albion Community Trust via the Royal Derby Hospital, with members of the public also invited to take part in this year’s event.
The team are keen to raise awareness of incontinence and the impact that it can have on people’s lives and encourage more people to seek advice for issues including difficulty passing urine, urinary or faecal leakages and the need to pass urine frequently or urgently.
Urology Specialist Nurses, Natalie Bull, and Amy Goodman, are leading fundraising efforts and will join a host of other walkers on the marathon trek on Saturday 22nd June.
Amy said: “This year’s walk takes place during World Continence Week, so we really want to raise the awareness of the impact that incontinence can have.”
“It can massively impact the lives of patients, and it shouldn’t just be considered as an inevitable part of aging – these things can affect anyone.”
“We want to raise funds and awareness so that we can improve quality of life and encourage people to seek help.”
Natalie added: “At least one in four people will suffer from incontinence at some point during their lives, and there are ways we can help and many treatment options available.”
“By raising public awareness we hope to give sufferers the confidence to seek help and improve their quality of life.”
Of the walk itself, Amy said that she is looking forward to the day: “It’s a challenge but good fun and worthwhile knowing that it really makes a difference to patient care. Every walker feels a sense of accomplishment despite their exhaustion!”
Registration for the event is open now and closes on Friday 24th May. A registration fee of £20 per person is required, with this covering entry and meals throughout the day, with all participants also receiving a t-shirt and a medal upon completion.
All of those who take part are asked to aim to raise £100, which will be used in the Urology departments for resources, equipment and training to help us provide our patients the best care possible.
If you would like to take part, please email natalie.mart@nhs.net or amy.goodman@nhs.net for further information
If you would like to raise funds for the Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, please contact the team on 01332 785 731 or email uhdb.charity@nhs.net.