We’re raising money for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity and the MediCinema appeal because we’ve seen just how powerful a difference a little extra support can make.

After reading patient stories on the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust website — especially Ava’s journey with a recurring brain tumour and Lily’s experience with uveitis and Turner syndrome — I was deeply moved. These stories don’t just highlight the challenges children face; they show how charitable funding can transform a hospital stay from something purely clinical into something more supportive, more comforting, and sometimes even a little brighter.

Many of us being medical students, have been lucky enough to see first-hand the incredible teamwork that happens every day at hospitals in MFT. The nurses, doctors, physios, social care teams, catering staff — and so many others — go above and beyond for their patients. But we’ve also realised that while the NHS provides outstanding medical treatment, charities help provide the “extras” that mean so much: specialist equipment, welcoming spaces, family support services, and initiatives like MediCinema that allow children and all patients to feel like people rather than patients for a little while.

Spending time in the hospital is also a humbling experience. It reminds us how fortunate many of us are to be healthy. Yet what stands out most isn’t sadness — it’s resilience. We’ve seen children who, despite facing incredibly tough circumstances, still manage to laugh, crack jokes, and brighten the room. Their courage is contagious.

So we thought: what can we do?

Our answer is get a group of amazing students on a 36km walk from Wigan Pier to Manchester Royal infirmary hospital. It’ll mean sore legs, lots of snacks, questionable playlist choices, and probably a few blisters — but it’s nothing compared to what many of these children face every day.

As a group of university students, we want to turn our gratitude into action. If our steps can help fund better facilities, brighter spaces, or even just one more smile through the MediCinema appeal, then every mile will be worth it.

Every donation — big or small — genuinely makes a difference. And if you’re supporting us, you’re walking those 18 miles with us too.