Meet the terrific triathletes from the Children’s Department at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
The team of 18, who included trainees, consultants, managers, occupational therapists, and a specialist asthma nurse took on the Stratford Sprint Triathlon and raised nearly £2,000 for equipment that will be used by patients.
Leading the charge, was consultant Dr Maria Atkinson. She said: “I think we all found the course tough but all enjoyed the experience and team spirit.
“It was great to meet colleagues outside work and do something different and raise money for the department through Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, the Trust’s registered charity.”
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust runs the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, in Smethwick, where inpatient wards for children are based. Outpatient appointments for youngsters take place at Sandwell and City Health Campuses. The money raised, £1,835, will be used across the different areas.
Maria added: “The charitable funds raised will be spent on a sensory chair, which allows our children with additional needs to access the sensory room at Midland Met without using their wheelchair.
“It will also pay for an exercise bike which will aid recovery, rehabilitation or even just a daily dose of exercise which is vital for both physical and mental health.
“The physiotherapy team can use it with patients to set targets, challenges and show improvement for our patients. Any extra money will be spent on toys to be shared across Midland Met and the health campuses.”
The team began a programme of training for the event four months ago and carved up some of the activities between them, whilst others took on the entire challenge. Maria said: “There were lots of personal bests. Some embarked on the couch to 5km training to ensure they completed the running element, whilst other set personal goals for swimming and cycling. We’ve certainly got a few aching limbs.”