Maternity and Bereavement colleagues have a wheelie good time fundraising for UHNM Charity

Staff from UHNM’s Maternity Centre and Bereavement Team have saddled up for UHNM Charity and raised over £1,500.

More than 60 members of staff including midwives, doctors and management clocked up a combined 315 miles during a sponsored spin cycle challenge at the Royal Stoke last week.

Money raised from the epic cycle will go towards an outdoor contemplation area at UHNM’s Forget-me-Not Suite.

Sarah Lake, Bereavement Specialist Midwife said: “We were trying to think of something a bit different to do to fundraise for UHNM Charity, something that could get as many members of staff involved as possible.

“The 315-mile target represents UK figures for baby loss each day- 302 miscarriages, eight still births and five neonatal deaths.

“There’s been 60 members of staff involved including midwives, doctors, managers, bereavement officers and admin staff. We couldn’t have done this without them, and its only worked because of people being kind and generous with their time.

“The cycle has been really good, staff seemed to have enjoyed themselves and have had a chat whilst on the bike and there’s been lots of interest and donations from passers-by.

“We didn’t want to rely just on patients and their loved ones to raise funds for UHNM Charity, we wanted it to be a joint effort with our staff to show we’re just as passionate about fundraising for the benefit of our patients and their families.”

UHNM’s efforts were matched by staff from Fit Bodies Gym in Leek, taking part in the same challenge at the same time, describing the event as, “a real collective effort, creating a real community atmosphere in the gym.”

Special thanks also goes to PureGym Stoke-on-Trent North for use of the spin bikes.