Hospital staff's Mount Snowdon climb

A team of 24 friends and staff from across Oxford University Hospitals has conquered Mount Snowdon at a charity climb.

The group - which included clinicians, support and estates staff - has raised over £4,000 for the hospital charity's latest appeal celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Children's Hospital.

Edel Wyse, who helped organise the expedition said: "We are incredibly proud of the whole group that took part as we are such a mix of hospital staff and friends, but the climb really brought us together.

"Led by Maria Moore, the Trust's Interim Chief Financial Officer, we took a tougher than usual route, as we wanted to really challenge ourselves - and we certainly achieved that! It is an event none of us will ever forget and we are all thrilled to have conquered Mount Snowdon and raised funds for a project that we are passionate about."

For one staff member the climb was a very real personal challenge.

Caroline, who works as a Radiographer at the JR, was born with a spinal condition which was undiagnosed until she reached her twenties. It caused her great pain and often made walking very difficult. Ten years ago she saw Snowdon for the first time and was determined to climb it - but that seemed like an impossible dream.

After three operations Caroline began to build strength and experience much less pain. Being immersed in the medical world she decided to change career from working as a PA to training to become a Radiographer at the John Radcliffe, treating both adults and children. When Caroline heard that a team from the Trust was taking on the Snowdon challenge, she felt compelled to take part.

She explains: "For me it was very personal, in fact I hardly told anyone I was going to do this as I was concerned that I may fail. But the team pulled me through and I just kept going one step at a time. I am so incredibly happy and proud to have achieved this - it was such a special day."

The money raised is going to the hospital charity's latest appeal and will help fund an expansion of parental accommodation for the Oxford Children's Hospital.

Head of Fundraising at the Hospital Charity, Eleanor Jones, said: "Next year there will be a big campaign to raise funds to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Children's Hospital. Part of that fundraising will go towards building a new accommodation facility for parents who have children being treated at the hospital. Staff were keen to support this and we are delighted that they wanted to kick things off with this very special climb."

"We are always thrilled to see staff getting involved in fundraising and know just how much effort goes into organising a challenge like this. It's great to have this support and we hope this will inspire other local groups and businesses to think about supporting our big appeal next year celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Children's Hospital."

You can still donate to the team by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/msnowdenclimb

To find out more about fundraising for the Oxford Children's Hospital:

Email eleanor.jones@ouh.nhs.uk

Call 01865 743442