Young fundraiser Archie has topped £700 doing his very own Hope Mountain Hike

Date: 27 April 2021

Archie cycling

One of The Walton Centre Charity’s youngest fundraisers has topped the £700 mark by doing his very own, bespoke, Hope Mountain Hike.

Archie Brady, 5, has run, walked and cycled 12½ miles over four days to thank The Walton Centre for the work they did to save his nanny’s life not once, but twice.

Fifteen years ago, Karen Carr suffered a brain haemorrhage and was successfully treated at The Walton Centre. Then, seven years later, during a routine scan, a brain aneurysm was found which was again, successfully treated by the staff at The Walton Centre. 

Karen’s daughter, and Archie’s mum, Sam, said his efforts were to give something back to the hospital and thank all the staff for their brilliant work.

“All the family are so grateful for what The Walton Centre did, we just can’t speak highly enough of the quality of the treatment and care the staff gave to my mum and all the family.

“Seven years ago I did a parachute jump to raise money, and when we got an email about the Hope Mountain Hike being virtual this year due to the pandemic, we thought it would be another great way to fundraise and for Archie to get involved with the hospital that saved his nanny.”

Archie started his Hope Mountain ‘triathlon’ with a two mile run with his Dad, Adam, after school on Friday, before a three mile walk around Moel Famau in Flintshire and a walk around their Chester racecourse at the weekend, and finishing with a three mile cycle on Monday, after school.

“Archie started going out for a run with his dad a couple of months ago; it was something different to keep him active during the lockdown restrictions,” added Sam. “He absolutely loved it, and was really fast! So, combining his new-found interest with fundraising for The Walton Centre seemed like a great idea.

“He’s really loved practising and then doing the different activities over the weekend. It’s been great to see his excitement at the donations coming in and knowing, in his way, that he’s helping the place that helped his nanny so many years ago. I’m super proud of him.”

Madeleine Fletcher, Head of Fundraising at The Walton Centre Charity said it had been a difficult 12 months for charities, but supporters like Archie had been amazing at creating their own way to fundraise.

“The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meant that we were unable to hold our annual Hope Mountain Hike event but fundraisers like Archie and his family have really risen to the challenge and created their own ‘hike’, in whatever form it takes.

“The vital funds they raise will all go towards the Home from Home relatives’ accommodation at The Walton Centre where relatives can stay after a patient has been admitted for urgent treatment.”

Sam said the Home from Home centre was a fantastic addition to the hospital. “15 years ago, there was no facility like the Home from Home accommodation so we had to drive back and forth every day to visit my mum which was a long daily journey. It’s great that, with the support of The Walton Centre Charity, relatives can now stay so close and have real peace of mind while their loved ones are going through urgent treatment.”

You can see Archie's fundraising efforts via our charity website: www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/fundraisers/archies-11-mile-hike 

  • Summary:

    One of The Walton Centre Charity’s youngest fundraisers has topped the £700 mark by doing his very own, bespoke, Hope Mountain Hike.