Members of Ulverston Rugby League Club have donated £11,000 to Furness General Hospital’s special care baby unit from their hike of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Nearly 50 players, coaches, staff and partners from the club climbed Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside in October, splitting their fundraising total between Bay Hospitals Charity and developing junior rugby at their club.
Inspiration to support Bay Hospitals Charity came from rugby team member Jamie Sandham.
Jamie and his wife Chantell wanted to support the charity to say thank you to South Lakes Birth Centre for the care provided to twin daughters Ella and Katie, born prematurely in 2019.
As well as gathering sponsorship for their challenge, the club received donations from more than 80 local businesses.
Team members visited the hospital recently to tour the special care baby unit and find out more about the care provided by the team.
The visit was also a special occasion for club player Jake Spedding, who was in intensive care as a baby and was able to say thank you to the hospital by taking part in the charity challenge.
Jamie said: “We were in the unit with Ella and Katie for four weeks. It’s so good to be able to give something back to say thank you for the care that the team gave to us.
“We would like to thank all our incredible sponsors and those who made this challenge happen. As a club and close mates we would like to mark this special fundraising event in remembrance of Isaac Jude McGoff.”
Team-mate Liam Saunders said: “To actually see the ward functioning was amazing. It brings to life the reason that we did the challenge.”
Bay Hospitals Charity funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment.
Head of charities and fundraising Suzanne Lofthouse said: “We’re so grateful to the rugby club for taking on this challenge, gathering the support of so many local businesses, and helping to highlight the incredible work of the special care baby unit team.
“We will make sure the donation is used to support the work of the unit, and I look forward to inviting club members back to see how we have used their donation.”
