BBC newsreader and Willowbrook Hospice patron Roger Johnson recently took to the treadmill to help staff, volunteers and supporters from the Prescot based hospice run 874 miles – the distance from John O’Groats to Lands End.
The Treadmill Challenge which ran from 30 September – 6 October, ending with last Saturday’s 5K Park Run in Victoria Park, was to help raise money to support ‘The Willows’, a child bereavement project based at The Living Well.
Dr Paula Powell, Clinical Lead and Specialist Palliative Care Consultant at the Hospice said “Family bereavement can have a profound impact on children. Many find it difficult to understand what’s happened which can often lead to their feelings being ‘bottled up’ or coming out in different ways such as anger or frustration.
“Last year, we were luckily enough to receive a grant to help set up ‘The Willows’ and even though the project has only been up and running for a few months, we can really see how it’s beginning to benefit the children involved. Unfortunately, the grant won’t last for ever, so we decided to challenge ourselves to the 874 mile trek to help raise the money to sustain the service.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received and the number of people who have taken part in the Treadmill Challenge has been phenomenal! We just hope that the money keeps rolling in so that we can continue to provide such a vital service to children who have been bereaved across Knowsley and St Helens.”
For more information on how you can support Willowbrook Hospice, please visit www.willowbrook.org.uk or ring 01744 45798.
Main photo – Left to Right, Melissa Kenny (fundraiser), Paula Powell and Roger johnson.
