A runner has donated £5,300 to his local hospital which helped his mum survive a life changing stroke.
David Lord set himself the challenge of completing the 50-mile ultra-marathon over the Yorkshire Three Peaks in May, after his mother Norma was cared for by the acute stroke team on Ward B2 at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and colleagues on the Marsden Ward, which is part of Pendle Community Hospital.
An experienced runner who has in the past completed the London Marathon, David formed a strong bond with those who cared for his mum and wanted to do something to say thanks and to help future patients and their families too.
David, a construction manager at Burnley college, was joined by colleagues Simon Jordan, deputy principal, Solomon Whittaker, curriculum manager and Paul Whittaker, head of student services, for the event.
He said: "Although she will never be the same again we thank our lucky stars that she is here and continues to fight.
"She has surprised all the staff with how well she is doing.”
When David and his colleagues completed the Pennine Barrier Ultra 50, he headed straight to his mum and proudly gave his medal over and said: “This is what it was all about.”
Setting an initial target of £1,000, supporters have helped David to raise a huge £5,300 and despite the arduous challenge, David said: “I would do it all again and again for our mum.”
The funds raised have been passed to the East Lancashire Hospitals charity ELHT&Me and will benefit Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital’s Ward B2 and Pendle Community Hospital’s Marsden Ward.
Martin Hodgson, Interim Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, was delighted to meet the family and the team to receive the donation.
He added: “I had the honour of meeting Norma, David and the family recently.
"To hear how grateful they were for everything our amazing colleagues had done for them was a moment that filled me with pride.
"I am so grateful to David and everyone who took part for choosing to fundraise in aid of ELHT&Me.
"It is a really large sum to raise from such a huge challenge and we will ensure it is used to benefit others in the future.”
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