CEO dons running shoes for charity marathon

Date: 27 July 2021

Jan and Laura VLM

Nine staff and supporters are running the Virtual London Marathon this year, raising money for the Home from Home centre. Two of them, Chief Executive Jan Ross (pictured above, left) and Patient Access and Performance Director Laura Abernethy (pictured right), share their reasons for taking part.

Laura, 37, has worked at The Walton Centre for seven years. She said, “Over my time here I have spoken to many families who have stayed in the Home from Home relatives accommodation and they all speak about how special and comforting it is to be so close to their loved ones at such a difficult time. The centre really does support patients and families during a very stressful time. Doing a marathon has always been on my bucket list (albeit quite a long way down!), so this seemed like the perfect opportunity – taking part in an iconic event, and for a great cause. Being part of The Walton Centre team is giving me the inspiration I need to complete it.

Jan, 47, was appointed as Chief Executive of The Walton Centre in June 2021. Previous to that she was the Director of Operations and Strategy and Deputy Chief Executive at the Trust and has 30 years’ experience working in the NHS.

A nurse by background, Jan said she signed up for Team Walton to support the fantastic Home from Home accommodation. “I’m incredibly proud that The Walton Centre offers this service which is so generously supported by The Walton Centre Charity. Families can have a safe environment to rest, eat and relax, all in the knowledge that they are close by to their loved one at such a difficult time. When I heard about the Virtual London Marathon places for Walton Centre staff and supporters, it felt like the right thing to do - we’d all want a facility like Home from Home in a time of need, and I’m proud to do my bit to raise money for it.”

Support Laura, Jan and the rest of our runners, and follow their training on social media! https://www.thewaltoncentrecharity.org/fundraisers/virtual-london-marathon-runners

 

-Ends-

Notes to editors

Further information, or to arrange a visit contact the Communications Team on 0151 556 3397 or email wcf-tr.waltoncentre.communications@nhs.net.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. It has twice been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.

For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
0151 525 3611

  • Summary:

    Nine staff and supporters are running the Virtual London Marathon this year, raising money for the Home from Home centre. Two of them, Chief Executive Jan Ross (pictured above, left) and Patient Access and Performance Director Laura Abernethy (pictured right), share their reasons for taking part.