A former army medic is running 10k every day to support frontline staff working for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the fight against coronavirus.
AdvertisementSpencer McBride is using his daily exercise ration to run every morning at 9.30am, carrying a 15kg weighted rucksack.
Spencer, who made two tours of Iraq, two tours of Kosovo and one of Afghanistan during his seven years of service with the Royal Army Medical Corps, has so far raised almost £900.
Spencer, who has set a £3,000 fundraising target, said: “I work for a company that makes warm roofs for conservatories and we’ve been told to stay at home like most people. You watch the news and see the challenges facing the NHS and its frontline staff. I fought a war in other countries yet they are fighting one on our own shores.
“My daily 10ks are my way of supporting their efforts at a local level by donating what I raise to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to spend on looking after frontline staff at the Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospitals. I am also donating to welfare projects for staff at the Royal Blackburn Hospital where my sister works in administration.
“I will continue running my 10ks until I have to go back to work. I have four or five routes that I rotate and already, I have people coming to their doors and waving as I run by. My original thought though was to run a daily marathon but the time allowance for exercise isn’t enough whereas I can complete my 10ks in around 44 minutes.”
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Paula Wilson, Head of Charities and Fundraising for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very impressed by Spencer’s commitment to help us and we wish him well. I guess if anyone appreciates the stresses our frontline clinical teams are under at this moment in time, it’s Spencer through his work as an army medic.”
To donate to Spencer’s fundraising, visit GoFundMe.
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What do you think of Spencer’s fundraising? Will you be donating? Let us know in the comments.