Walton Centre doctor takes on London Marathon to raise money
Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensivist Dr Emily Gibney is taking on the London Marathon next month, supporting The Walton Centre Charity.
Dr Gibney, who works predominantly in the specialist neurosciences Trust's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be joining tens of thousands of runners in the famous race to raise money for equipment that will enhance patient experience while they are receiving treatment.
Dr Gibney said: “I enter the London Marathon ballot every year thinking I'll never get a spot, and then this year I did! Training has been long and arduous, but I'm at a point now where I can tackle the challenge.
“I didn't want to run the marathon just for myself, and that's when I thought of The Walton Centre Charity. Some patients can be with us for months, and while we're doing everything we can to look after them medically, I wanted to do more.”
The Walton Centre Charity supports a number of projects across the hospital which aim to enhance the patient experience.
Dr Gibney continued: “I'm hoping to raise at least £2,000, so that we can buy some equipment that will help patients with low, or no, mobility to communicate more. Things like tablet and smartphone holders for the bedside, and call bells that can be activated through a pillow, will help improve their experience.”
The Walton Centre Charity's Head of Fundraising Madeleine Fletcher said: “We're incredibly grateful for our fundraisers. It is always humbling to see hard working staff like Dr Gibney taking on a huge running challenge like the London Marathon on top of their busy day jobs.
“The equipment they've identified could make a real difference to what is often an exceptionally hard moment in a patient's life. We are all behind Emily and wish her the best for her training and race day!”
If you want to know more about Dr Gibney's challenge, or support her fundraising, click here: https://www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/emily-runs-the-london-marathon