The row took place as promised, on November 8th, at the main entrance to the Cumberland Infirmary on a beautiful Rememberance Sunday afternoon.
A fine body of friends and colleagues helped set-up the area in time for the visiting public. They then spent the next 90 minutes asking visitors to pay for 2 minutes of 'their' time on the spare rowing machine I had brought along!!! Not surprisingly few took them up on the offer but it did make them stop and contribute so generously. Many thanks also to Val Armstrong of BBC Radio Cumbria who interviewed me, live on air, on Saturday to promote the event.
As expected the 21097 metres was very challenging but the 100mins. target was just beaten with a time of 93min. 46sec. The guinness, bath and chocolates (thanks Jean) tasted extra special later that evening.
My thanks go to all of you who sponsored this event and through this, I hope, we have raised the profile of Radiography and of course its Benevolent Fund.
thank you
World Radiography Day (WRD) is marked each year on 8 November in recognition of its contributions to medicine. On that day around the world events are held to promote the profession; some of these events raise money for local and/or national charities. Last year I decided to submit a challenge to all my fellow radiographers to race on an in-door rower a distance of 100Km with a team of ten; collectively we raised over £7500 with 'Help for Heroes' and 'The Eden Valley Hospice Carlilse', being the main recipients.
Radiology is part of an associated group of health professionals and one of the hidden gems of the NHS. When you visit us it is usually for a short period of time, but most clinical decisions cannot be made without the contribution of some form of medical imaging; x-ray, ultra sound, CT, MRI or radiotherapy, even when you are being operated upon in theatre we will be there as the eyes of the surgeon.
In the Radiography profession, we have a Benevolent Fund Charity that is not well known, nor greatly financially supported; but it is capable of making a major difference to the lives of colleagues who fall on hard times.
My aim this year, with your help, is to raise £1000 for the Radiographers Benevolent Fund (RBF) by rowing 21097 meters, (half a marathon, 13 miles) in less than 100 mins.
Every meter I row will make that difference but only with your contribution… please support me, thanks.
Andy P.
Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle
bigarms@btinternet.com
p.s. please tick the gift aid box...ta
