Toddler to take on Walk for Wards to thank hospital staff who cared for the grandmother she never got the chance to meet

They will be among hundreds of patients, loved ones, hospital staff and supporters taking part our Walk for Wards event on Sunday May 8th at the Bathurst Estate in Cirencester.

It is the first time we have been able to put on the event since 2019 due to the pandemic. People can choose to walk either 3km or 10km to raise money for the charity’s Gamma Scanner Appeal or for a ward of their choice.

Naomi and Connie Billingham, from Gloucester, are walking to say thank you to the ‘incredible’ Critical Care team who looked after Gill Davies when she suffered a major stroke in November 2018. Naomi said the care her mum and their family received was so amazing, it even inspired her to join Gloucestershire Hospitals as a healthcare assistant where she now works today.

“My Mum was only 67 when she had her stroke, and it was such a shock. When we arrived at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, we were told that sadly she would be unlikely to recover from it,” she said.

“She was taken to critical care and all the staff there were just so amazing. It is such an incredible skill to be able to balance the care for the patient as well as the family going through such an ordeal.

“There were quite a few of us who wanted to see her, and they let us all stay with her in critical care before Mum was moved to ward 4a. The staff were brilliant there too and she was given a sideroom so we could have some privacy.”

Gill was on the organ donor register and Gloucestershire Hospitals staff supported the family through this process too.

“We know that five people have been given sight thanks to my Mum. She was a graphic designer and artist, and she would have been so happy to know she had been able to help others in this way,” Naomi, 34, said.

“I found out I was pregnant just three months after Mum died. My Mum never got to see Connie, but her picture is up in the house and I talk about her all the time. It will be lovely to take part in the walk in her memory and to give something back to all those who helped my Mum and us during that time.

“Connie is really looking forward to it and knowing her, she will be jumping most of the way round. It would have been my Mum’s birthday on May 7th, so it felt a good way to mark it.”

A team of student nurses, Chloe Fletcher, Jen Johnston, Maria Pascoe, Meg Vaughan, Emily Curran and Rachel Price will also be taking part in Walk for Wards raising money for the charity’s Gamma Scanner Appeal. The appeal is now more than halfway to its £600,000 target to provide new CT Gamma imaging technology that will help thousands of patients every year, from people with cancer to babies to patients with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s.

Student Nurse Chloe Fletcher said: “We always wanted to do something for the charity and this event is very inclusive and not too physical so we can all take part together as a team.

“We want to support the CT Gamma Scanner Appeal because you never know when ourselves, a friend or family member may need this equipment. It is a worthy cause and an investment for the future.”

Walk for Wards is non-competitive, free to enter and each participant receives a medal at the finish line. If you cannot make the event in person, you can also take part virtually as well and there are more details on this at our website.

To sign up for Walk for Wards please visit our registration page. We would like to thank anyone who chooses to take part and help fund projects over and above what the NHS can provide - making a real difference for patients, visitors and the staff who treat them at our hospitals.