NICOLA Healy admits she has never been a champion walker but she’s determined to put her best forward as she sets out on a major fundraising challenge in memory of dad Gerard.
It is ten years since Gerard, who lived with his family in Nether Edge, died at St Luke’s following a fight with cancer.
And on April 16, the tenth anniversary of his death, daughter Nicola and cousin Hannah Healy will set out to conquer the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and raise vital funds for our patient care.
The 26 mile challenge takes walkers through the stunning Yorkshire scenery of the Dales National Park, starting with smallest of the peaks, Pen-y-ghent, before going on over 12 hours to tackle the peaks of Ingleborough and Whernside, climbing a final total of 1585 metres!
And before they even set off on their adventure, the cousins have already smashed their £500 target and raised almost £1,000.
"Dad was diagnosed with Cancer in 2011 and undoubtedly faced every challenge, set back and hurdle with strength, optimism, bravery and might,” Nicola explained.
“He spent a significant time at St Lukes and our family will always be grateful for the exceptional holistic care they provided throughout his final days.
“As a result his health improved so I am forever in debt to the staff team for buying us some extra time with dad - it is these precious memories that have sourced some comfort during the last 10 years.
“Nothing was ever too much for the doctors, nurses and staff - they even let the family sleep on the floor near dad with offers of midnight snacks, emotional support and care alongside their routine medical duties.
“Dad even got the opportunity to safely attend Hillsborough to watch his beloved Sheffield Wednesday play one last time and this was all thanks to St Lukes and their medical team.”
That’s why Nicola and Hannah are now in training, determined to complete the biggest physical challenge they have ever undertaken.
“If we can crawl around the Three Peaks and be half as strong willed as my Dad was as he tackled cancer, we’ll be proud of what we’ve achieved,” Nicola said.
“The care St Luke’s offered was beyond anything we could ever have expected and that is why I now want to give something back as a special tribute to dad and as a thank you to the St Luke’s team.”
To support Nicola and Hannah visit Nicola