A Richmond nurse is preparing to run the Great North Run in memory of her grandfather and to raise money for a local hospital.
Hayley Rogers, 35, is taking on the challenge for the Victoria ward at the Friary Hospital in Richmond.
In 2016, Hayley’s grandfather, Alfred Wood, spent his last days on the ward.
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Mr Wood, who was originally from Richmond, suffered from vascular dementia.
Hayley, who has worked in the NHS for 13 years, is a dental nurse at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and also works as a teaching assistant at Richmond Methodist School.
She said: “In November 2016 my dear grandad was put on an end of life pathway.
“This was something I had never had to experience before and was the worst thing I’ve ever been through.
“As his family, after lots of deep and difficult discussions with the doctors, we decided the kindest thing and the only option was to let him go.”
Hayley said she does not believe she will ever get over those two weeks.
But she added: “I do know that we wouldn’t have been able to give him the most dignified end to his life if it hadn’t been for the Victoria ward and it’s amazing staff.
“We transferred granddad back to his beloved home town in Richmond.
“It was a huge comfort to have him at the ward we all felt a huge sense of relief .
“The staff were there to meet us and discuss with us how he would spend the last few days of his life. I can’t put in to words how amazing the staff on the ward are.”
Hayley will run the Great North Run next weekend and has been training hard.
All the money she raises will go to the Vicrtoria ward.
To sponsor her, click here.
