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Homepage | News | Black Country NHS staff complete sunrise Snowdon challenge

Black Country NHS staff complete sunrise Snowdon challenge

Black Country NHS staff complete sunrise Snowdon challenge

Twenty-two staff members from The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust joined forces to take on the mighty Snowdon in an inspiring overnight challenge, raising funds for The Dudley Group NHS Charity and Your City & Metropolitan Hospitals Charity.

With the support of Sky Blue Adventures, the team set off at 1:30am on Sunday 11 July, trekking through the night with head torches and LED hiking poles to reach the summit in time to witness a breathtaking sunrise.

Despite strong winds and challenging conditions at the top, participants were rewarded with incredible views at 5am as the sun rose over the mountains, making the challenging climb worthwhile and creating a truly memorable experience.

The Dudley Group colleagues raised more than £7,200 for The Dudley Group NHS Charity, with funds supporting the Children's Outpatients Department Garden, the Forget Me Not Unit, Ridge Hill Stroke Unit and the Dudley Community Heart Failure Department. The money will help enhance facilities and services, making a positive difference to patients and their families.

Nine members of staff and family representing Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust also took part in the challenge. Together, they have raised more than £2,700 to date for Your City & Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, helping to support patients, families and staff across Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

Sam Powers, Fundraising and Events Manager for The Dudley Group NHS Charity and organiser of the event, said: "The Sunrise Snowdon Challenge was a truly unforgettable experience. Watching the sunrise from the summit was magical, but sharing the journey with colleagues from across the Trust made it even more special.

"Snowdon is a challenging climb, particularly through the night, and I am incredibly proud of every member of the team for their determination and resilience in reaching the summit to witness such a breathtaking sunrise together."

Johnny Shah, on behalf of Your City & Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, said, "It was fantastic to see colleagues, alongside their friends and family, come together to take on such an incredible challenge in support of our charity. Climbing through the night and reaching the summit for sunrise was no easy feat, and everyone showed outstanding determination, teamwork and resilience throughout.

"We're incredibly grateful to every person who has taken part, donated or supported the team. The money raised will make a real difference to patients, their families and our staff by helping us provide projects and enhancements that go above and beyond NHS funding. Thank you to everyone involved for making this such a memorable and successful event."

Both teams endured gale-force winds during the descent, but through determination and teamwork, every participant completed the nine-mile hike safely in just under eight hours.

Diane Wake, Group Chief Executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said, "I am incredibly proud of everyone who took part. Climbing Snowdon through the night is a remarkable achievement, and the commitment, teamwork and determination shown by colleagues from both Trusts was truly inspiring.

“The money raised will help our charities continue to provide those extra touches that make such a difference to patients, their families and our staff. Thank you to everyone who took on the challenge and to all those who donated and supported them along the way."

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Sunrise Snowdon Challenge and contributed to its fundraising success.

Ends

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There's still time to support the teams who took on the Sunrise Snowdon Challenge and help make a difference for patients, families and staff.

The Dudley Group NHS Charity

 Your City & Metropolitan Hospitals Charity

Every donation helps Your City & Metropolitan Hospitals Charity continue to fund projects, equipment and enhancements that go above and beyond NHS funding, improving the experience of patients, their loved ones and staff across Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.