Challenging the Wild for Sweeney!

On the 3rd of August 2019, 12 of us are heading out for a day to "Challenge the Wild " in memory of my brother, Sweeney. We will be hiking, abseiling, cliff jumping (20ft!) and even bug eating!

We are doing this to raise money for Pearce Ward , Wythenshawe Hospital. This specialist ward supports patients (and their families) living with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening genetic disorders, affecting around 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 healthy people also carry a copy of the abnormal gene, though only those with two copies will show the clinical features of CF. The disease primarily affects the lungs, with repeated chest infections and breathlessness, but also has important effects on nutrition, diabetes, bones and joints.

The team at Pearce Ward work with their patients for long periods, transitioning them out of the child service. There are many obstacles and difficult periods for each patient and the team support them through this.

It is sometimes at the most significant time in the treatment of CF that you finally realise just how amazing this team are. For me, it was seeing the incredible support my brother had during the weeks and months prior to his lung transplant. The nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, social workers and even the chef (making the requested bacon, cheese and brown sauce toastie on demand!) were able to keep his spirits up and truly went above and beyond.

My brother passed away last year following a successful double lung transplant. He had an incredible year living with new lungs and took the opportunity to do all things adrenaline-fuelled. We think he would have loved that we're doing something a bit different to really challenge us all both physically and mentally.

Thank you for visiting the page and for any contributions, it really will go far to keep ensuring that the ward has the specialist equipment required to help against this disease.

We will of course share photos on social media of the event so keep your eyes peeled!

WISH US LUCK,

Helen, Ant, Lianne, Mel, Alan, Lee, Jonathan, Hayley, Martin, Becca, Andy and Marcus