Midwives' adventurous fundraiser for Bassetlaw Hospital by completing Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours

Taking on the challenge are Matt Proctor and Rhian Morris, both bereavement leads for the maternity service at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals.

Together they will tackle the National Three Peak Challenge between June 25 and 27.

They face a feat of endurance climbing up the highest mountain ranges across the United Kingdom, including Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1,085m).

To add to the challenge, the trek will take place within 24 hours.

Organised activities such as the National Three Peak challenge incur a registration cost, which has been met by sponsors Molly Maid, a local cleaning company, and newly appointed deputy director of midwifery at DBTH, Sarah Ayre.

All funds received will go towards the hospital’s dedicated charity and investments in the bereavement service, such as improvements to the environment and specialist rooms.

Matt said: "We hope this challenge will highlight the work we do and enable open conversations around pregnancy loss, therefore helping others feel comfortable sharing their experiences. We recognise that everyone grieves in their own way so the service provides a person-centred, holistic approach ensuring the needs of the family are met in a range of ways. The bereavement service is available to families at any point in time, some find they are ready to come to terms with their loss years later, there is no set timeline when it comes to grief."

More than 15,000 NHS staff working days were lost at the trust that runs Bassetlaw Hospital due to Covid-19

Rhian said: "We know the trek will be an emotionally and physically demanding experience and that was part of our intention when choosing the challenge, we wanted to do something to symbolise the uphill struggle that the families we support experience. They have to keep going, for themselves and the people they care for and at the same time deal with their grief."

If you would like to sponsor the bereavement team, please head over to their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/maternitybereavementservices

To get involved in your own fundraiser for the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital’s Charity, visit: dbth.nhs.uk/charity

You can download a fundraising pack from the website or instead, email [email protected] to find out more ways to donate.

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