Just under a year ago Ian Hawkins was hoping to leave hospital after contracting covid and spending more than two months in hospital. Now, he's planning a 26 mile charity walk to raise money for the Critical Care Rehabilitation Team – and he hopes staff, former patients, local businesses and communities will all step up and join in or support. The walk will be Sunday 27th of June.
Ian, aged 58, is now looking forward to
“Working with Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity and have organised a 26 mile sponsored walk starting from the hospital, going along the canal network to Chasewater and back to the hospital.
“We want to raise money for rehabilitation equipment that will help other patients – both covid survivors and others who have been critically ill and need support.
Ian said “I have been supported by the hospital’s Critical Care Rehabilitation Team and in the community and the work they do to get you back living life as best you can is amazing.”
Ian, who added: “My goal is to walk all 26 miles and we will be joined by Walsall Healthcare staff but I’d like to invite others to join us too. They don’t need to do all 26 miles; people may want to join in for a couple of miles and it would be fantastic if former patients came along either to take part or cheer us on. There are pubs along the way and it would also be good to show our support for local businesses.”
Ian was admitted to Walsall Manor Hospital on 29 March after developing Covid-19 symptoms and experiencing breathing difficulties.  Within 24 hours he was placed on full ventilation and over the next few weeks he suffered pneumonia, sepsis, multiple-organ failure and a secondary bacterial infection.

He was able to go home on 9 June 2020 and has been focusing on his recovery and looking to the future.

The walk will be on Sunday 27th June and Ian looks forward to seeing you all there. All current government guidelines will be adhered too. Any donation big or small will make a difference, thank you.