ILKLEY Wharfedale Rotary Club Member Derek Richards is doing a fifty mile sponsored walk in aid of the 50:50 Campaign of the Airedale Hospital and Community Charity following his serious brush with the Covid-19 virus.
Admitted to Airedale Hospital in Steeton as a Covid-19 pneumonia patient early in the pandemic he wondered, when he went in, if he would survive.
Thanks to all the efforts of the staff at the hospital, he did indeed survive and to those who showed endless patience and kindness during his stay - sometimes working well beyond their allotted hours- he feels the least he could do as a show of appreciation is to raise some money which will go towards the creation and renovation of staff rest and recuperation areas to support well-being.
Derek intends to start the walk in stages starting on Friday, June 26 and concluding during the first week of July.
Derek said: “I am walking a 50 mile challenge to raise funds to help Airedale Hospital and Community Charity Fund, via Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club, having been a patient at Airedale Hospital.
“I was admitted to Airedale Hospital at the end of March with Covid-19 pneumonia and thanks to the all the wonderful staff at Airedale I was discharged a week later. I have only just recovered the strength to walk this kind of distance.
“My time on the wards showed me how much value we should attach to all Hospital Staff who showed endless patience and kindness during my stay, working all hours.
“The funds raised will go towards the creation and renovation of staff rest and recharge areas to support wellbeing and it is my way of saying thank you to all the staff at the hospital.”
A spokesperson from Airedale’s NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted that Derek and the Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club are supporting our 50:50 campaign with their 50 mile walk.
“During our anniversary year it is exciting to see the community coming together to celebrate our hospital whilst raising vital funds for Airedale Hospital & Community Charity.”
The local hospital must have touched the hearts of many residents in the area and if you would like to help Derek in raising money for this cause, please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DerekRichards1/2
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here