Daughter climbs three peaks for Dad
Gary Heeley was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour in 2018 and was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for surgery to remove it. After spending almost a month in hospital, his daughter, Sophie Newman, has climbed the three peaks to thank the hospital for their care whilst her dad was in hospital.
Gary’s wife, Sarah, was concerned about him for a while before he was diagnosed with anything, he was diagnosed in April 2018 and by the June he was in hospital having his operation.
Talking about the care he received, Gary said: “The care was first class, the team was just fantastic, I don’t know how the staff do it. When I was moved to intensive care I saw how much work there is with just moving someone without bothering them, it was then I realised what intensive care really means.
“I was gobsmacked when Sophie said she was taking on this challenge for me, it was just amazing. I’m very proud of her.”
Sophie climbed the three peaks along with 11 of her colleagues from the school that she works at and they split the money raised between three chosen charities, QEHB Charity pituitary tumour fund, Rainbows Hospital and a dementia charity.
Sophie raised an incredible £513 which is going towards pituitary tumour research at the hospital which will help more patients just like Gary.
Talking about the challenge, Sophie said: “I saw a Charity poster and I knew that I would want to do something for you so when the opportunity came to climb the three peaks I took it.
“It was far more challenging than I anticipated and I was recovering from a broken foot. It rained the whole time but I am so glad I did it for the team that helped Dad whilst he was in hospital, they were amazing.”
Sophie Carroll, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity, said: “A huge well done goes to Sophie and the team that took part in the three peaks challenge, especially for completing it after breaking your foot!
“This amazing amount of money that Sophie has donated will mean that the hospital charity can provide even more added extras that go over and above what the NHS can fund for patients just like Gary.”
To find out more about the hospital charity and how you can get involved with fundraising, please click here.
