Chloe Smith, who since the pandemic began has been passionate about helping fund the NHS, scaled the 950-metre-high summit of Helvellyn with her mum, dad, and one-year-old dog, Joby, on Wednesday 20 October.
The trek began at 9.45am, and by 12.30pm they had reached the summit despite the wind, rain, and hailstone.
Chloe’s mum, Anna, said: “Words just aren’t enough to describe how super proud we are of Chloe. She chose something that would really challenge her physically and mentally to raise as much money as she could.
“Absolutely amazing achievement and super proud mummy and daddy!”
Chloe has been especially inspired by her friend’s mum, Kelly Fisher, who now works as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Specialist Nurse at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, as well as neighbours who work for the Trust.
Anna went on: “It was very emotional for her as she was exhausted. Even with all the right kit, the wind and hail took its toll.”
Despite this, Chloe put on a brave face. With the support of mum and dad, she safely returned down the mountain.
Chloe said: “I want to say thank you to everyone for donating and encouraging me, it means a lot.”
This isn’t the first time Chloe has launched a fundraiser, Anna explained: “Last year when we were in strict lockdown, Chloe was making headbands and wristbands at home and she wanted to sell them. She baked too.”
Anna went on: “It’s all she’s talked about since the lockdowns began. This is all Chloe’s idea.”
Due to changing COVID-19 restrictions, many of her plans were unable to go ahead. However, this didn’t dampen her spirits.
“While the lockdown is here, you might catch coronavirus. I thought a simple thing would be to climb a mountain.” Chloe said.
Completing the six-hour-trek outdoors means it is less likely to be cancelled, as well as ticking another activity off the list of things Chloe has been eager to do.
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “As a trust, we are always grateful for fundraising events hosted by the public. However, Chloe’s efforts at such a young age are incredibly special and her passion is a wonderful thing to see – she should be incredibly proud of herself, and the same goes for mum and dad, and of course Joby.”
“The Peak District has many beautiful mountains, however, Helvellyn is well-known as being one of the highest. Well done to Chloe for such an ambitious project and from the entire trust, thank you.”
Helvellyn is a mountain in the English Lake District and lies between Ullswater, Thirlmere and Grasmere and to the north of Ambleside. It is the third highest peak in the Lake District.
Chloe’s JustGiving goal of £100 has now more than quadrupled at £401.
To donate to Chloe’s fundraiser, which ends this month, follow this link.
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The campaign, which raised over £40,000 last year, offers an opportunity for local companies, community groups, schools and families to sponsor a star to help light up Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary or Montagu Hospital throughout the festive season to help spread Christmas cheer to NHS staff as well as patients and their families, whilst raising vital funds for the Trust.
The two stores will be joining forces to sponsor a star which will shine proudly at Bassetlaw Hospital throughout December. They will be organising a range of festive themed fundraising activities for customers and colleagues to participate to help raise funds for their local hospital. Including an Eco tombola, raffle and a collection table.
Victoria Brooks, Community Champion for Worksop Morrison’s said “During November and December it will be a pleasure to be fundraising to sponsor a star this Christmas. The sponsored star will be from our customers and colleagues and together we will be able to support our local hospital charity as well as lighten up the hospital grounds for all to see! We’re looking forward to being a part of this this year!”
Emma Jeffrey, Community Champion for the Retford store said: “We are sponsoring a star on behalf of our colleagues, customers and community, to remember those we have sadly lost and to say a huge thank you to our amazing NHS staff.”
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to have Morrison’s Retford and Worksop involved with this year’s campaign and looking forward to seeing how much their colleagues an customers can raise. The funds that we raise from this year’s campaign will be reinvested into various projects across the trust helping us improve patient care, treatment and facilities at the Trust.”
From the little things like toys to comfort children during an overnight stay, to the big investments which enables the purchase cutting-edge technology that detects deadly infections like meningitis and the flu, charitable funds help health professionals at the Trust go above and beyond.
If you wish to sponsor a star, please contact dbth.charity@nhs.net or complete a reservation form online here: https://app.donorfy.com/form/7F8WBCNAB7/GMPMV
If you have any questions about how you can support DBTH, you can contact the Fundraising and Communications Team on 01302 644244 / dbth.charity@nhs.net
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Chloe Smith, who since the pandemic began has been passionate about helping fund the NHS, will climb 950 metres to the summit with her Mum, Dad, and one-year-old dog, Joby.
Helvellyn is a mountain in the English Lake District, and lies between Ullswater, Thirlmere and Grasmere and to the north of Ambleside. It is the third highest peak in the Lake District.
Chloe has been especially inspired by her friend’s mum, Kelly Fisher, who now works as an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) specialist nurse at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
Chloe said: “I came up with a solution to climb a mountain to raise money for the NHS.
“Then there’s more money for hospitals to come and we can give people the help they need.”
This isn’t the first time she has launched a fundraiser though, Chloe’s mum, Anna Smith, explained: “Last year when we were in strict lockdown, Chloe was making headbands and wristbands at home and she wanted to sell them. She baked too.”
Anna went on: “It’s all she’s talked about since the lockdowns began. This is all Chloe’s idea.”
Due to changing COVID-19 restrictions, many of her plans were unable to go ahead. However, this didn’t dampen her spirits.
“While the lockdown is here, you might catch coronavirus. I thought a simple thing would be to climb a mountain.” she said.
Completing the six-hour-trek outdoors means it is less likely to be cancelled, as well as ticking another activity off the list of things Chloe has been eager to do.
Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “The DBTH trust is always grateful for fundraising events hosted by the public. However, Chloe’s efforts at such a young age are incredibly special and her passion is a wonderful thing to see.”
“The Peak District has many beautiful mountains, however Helvellyn is well-known as being one of the highest. Well done to Chloe for such an ambitious project and from the entire trust, thank you.”
With an initial target of £100, the JustGiving funds have now surpassed double this amount, at £206.
Chloe is very excited to complete the climb with her family and enjoy a hot chocolate afterwards.
To donate to Chloe’s fundraiser, follow this link.
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Last year over 60 local businesses, organisations and families got involved, each donating anywhere from £300 to £1,500 to sponsor a star, and in the process raising over £40,000, which has been reinvested into patient care, treatment and facilities at the Trust.
The Cross family decided to sponsor a star to say ‘thank you’ to the staff who cared for their mum throughout the festive period last year, and, sadly, this year they will be sponsoring the star in her memory.
Karen Cross was a much-loved mother, wife, ‘nanny’, sister, and daughter who sadly passed away from COVID-19 on Boxing Day 2020.
She worked at King & Miller in Retford for over 30 years and was very much a part of the fixtures and fittings of the pub, and is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Sarah Dunning, one of Karen’s daughters said: “Over the years my mum had a number of major surgeries which have often crept back causing more health issues for her. It was around November last year and mum told me that she had been sick and wasn’t feeling well.”
Karen spent a week at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where she received treatment for an infection in her bowel. She was later discharged when the infection had cleared but was due to return for extra tests.
Sarah continues: “Before mum returned back into hospital, she had to have a COVID-19 test and it was from this test we found out she had tested positive. Two nights later she was rushed to Bassetlaw Hospital where she spent around six weeks receiving treatment on the Respiratory Ward and Ward B5. At first, we thought she was just being treated for coronavirus, but it soon came to light that the infection in her bowel had returned but this time it was more serious.
“After around four weeks of Mum being in hospital, she was no longer testing positive for COVID-19 and we were called in to be with her. I sat and heard Mum’s surgeon tell our family that there was nothing more they could do for her – I still hear that conversation over and over in my head every day. The impact of COVID-19 on her chest and the amount of scar tissue she had in her stomach from previous operations, coupled with the infection, meant that mum just wouldn’t survive the major surgery she needed.
“I was out doing some Christmas shopping for my mum when I received a call from what I thought was her, but it turned out to be the nurse ringing from her mobile asking us to come in as it might be time. That night I was terrified to leave my mum and was kindly given permission to stay with her. I spent the night watching over her, pulling her oxygen mask up every time it slipped off and just holding her hand. I also watched as the nurses and health care assistants cared for her all through the night and I have nothing but admiration for them.
“Mum sadly passed away on Boxing Day, having enjoyed one final Christmas day with her family. I hesitated to go in her room as I wasn’t sure I wanted to see her like that but I’m glad I did. She looked so peaceful, almost healthy again and like my mum.
“Every time we visited my mum at that time, the Christmas stars were always shining on the hospital buildings and they bought so much comfort making that visit that little bit easier. My mum adored her grandchildren and great nephews and having to tell young children, especially toddlers that she had passed away was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We decided to tell them that Nanny is now the brightest star in the sky so continuing to sponsor a star in her memory just feels the right thing to do”.
As a thank you for the care Karen received, the family have taken part in various fundraising activities including the Christmas Stars campaign last year and the Captain Tom Challenge where they collectively walked over 100 miles and have raised over £1,000 for the hospital charity.
Sarah said: “Having had the opportunity to first-hand see the amazing care all of the staff at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals provide, this is the least we can do to do our bit to say thank you.”
To help raise funds, the family will be doing a raffle and have setup a JustGiving page to raise funds online in Karen’s memory.
There are limited numbers of stars left to sponsor for this year’s campaign and the hospital charity is hopeful to see all 70 stars shining proudly once again across their hospital sites. Packages start from £300 to £1,500 and there are additional benefits for businesses who sponsor a star.
If you would like to help the Cross family sponsor their star, you can donate via their Just Giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/KarensChristmasStar
To get more information about the stars, please complete the reservation form online here: https://app.donorfy.com/form/7F8WBCNAB7/GMPMV
Or email dbth.charity@nhs.net
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