My name is Coralie.

I’ll be walking for Bart’s Hike for Life on Sunday 13th September 2026 for fun and to say, “Thank you, Teams at St Bartholomew’s Hospital!”

My long journey towards better health began in 2018 when after years of being “vaguely unwell and feeling lackluster” because of high blood pressure I got a referral to the cardiology department at Bart’s hospital.

Mentally and physically the distance I have traveled since then has been longer than the 10km I hope to complete in the Hike for Health. It has been complicated, tiring, worrisome and has also given me pause for soul and body searching.

Several investigations and participations in research projects later, I’ve made progress. I feel healthier and have a much, much better quality of life.

So, I want to give something back.

I want to recognise the work being done by all the teams that have looked after me; the researchers, the nurses and technicians who have kept my spirits high at times when I was finding things tough and have given me back a sense of purpose and enjoyment even though I still live with an assortment of health matters.

During the Covid-19 years I was able to fulfill a long-held goal: I took up Nordic Walking.

I saw a poster advertising Nordic Walking lessons in my local supermarket. I did not hesitate to sign up!

I joined the group which was led by an amazing instructor/walk leader. I enjoyed myself. I’d found my sport. And I made new friends, too.

Now I want to put my Nordic Walking skills to the service of others and to thank the staff at Bart’s by raising funds to provide better conditions for other patients who may use the hospital’s services.

Your donations to my JustGiving page will help others who are journeying now , will be journeying in future, along similar routes to mine.

Barts Charity goes above and beyond for families across East London - funding pioneering research, supporting NHS staff, and helping to improve wards across the five hospitals of Barts Health NHS Trust with state-of-the-art equipment.

But it’s not just about the big things. They also fund the small, thoughtful touches that make a real difference - like phone charging stations in A&E or tote bags for families after a bereavement. Because in life’s toughest moments, the little things truly matter.

Please help me to raise (£1k) for the Bart’s Hike for Heath Day on Sunday 13th September 2026.

It will also help to improve my Nordic Walking skills.

Thank you.

Coralie