When a Hospitals Charity needed some heroes, Mersea Island Lodge walked it!

Essex Lodge members raise funds for much needed extra services that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide

On Saturday, 4 October, Guy Farrow, Master of the Mersea Island Lodge No. 5534, along with fellow members, Will Bixby, Robin Bailey, Liam McGurl and Nick Moffatt, took on the 21-mile ‘Hospital Hero Hike’ in support of the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

The team completed the hike in 8 hours and, despite a challenging cross-country route over uneven terrain, gradients, stiles and... on the day storm Ami blew in – so I suppose you could say they were wind assisted! - the five ended-up a little foot-sore but all remained in good spirits and more importantly, their efforts raised valuable funds for the NHS. This was achieved through their JustGiving donation page, and with more pledges coming in, the total will exceed £1,000.

As Will Bixby commented:

“I suppose 21 miles might seem a lot but it’s just one foot in front of the other until you get to the end! The NHS goes the extra mile every day when it comes to keeping people well and helping them recover when they become ill, and we wanted to do something to support that vital work carried out each day in our Hospitals. The ‘Hospital Hero Hike’ is a great way of doing that and we would encourage others to get involved.”

Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity runs the ‘Hospital Hero Hike’. Each donation helps take care of patients and staff at local hospitals and healthcare centres – providing those extras that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide, and which make such a difference to happiness and healing.

Examples of how the Charity uses donations ranges from providing life-saving equipment, implementing cutting-edge technology, and securing research and innovation that can transform health outcomes, to making sure there is tea and coffee in the waiting room for patients receiving chemotherapy or even providing new slippers that keep older patients safe from falls.

To find out more about the walk and the charity, click this link:

https://www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/News/hundreds-of-heroes-hike-for-hospital-charity

Photos:

Top: Hero Team L to R: Will Bixby, Guy Farrow (Master), Robin Bailey, Liam McGurl, Nick Moffatt

Bottom: The team members proudly displaying their medals