A Folkestone dad is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for NHS heroes by completing a virtual run/walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Ben Sackett, from Folkestone, pictured above, will tackle the 874-mile distance on local roads throughout 2021, meaning he has to run or walk at least 17 miles each week.
The 36-year-old dad of two is hoping to raise at least £600 for East Kent Hospitals Charity’s Helping Your Hospitals appeal. He chose the charity as a way of saying thanks after NHS staff looked after his brother and his father last year.
Ben said: “I was looking for something to challenge myself that would allow me to fundraise for NHS staff at the same time and this seemed like a good challenge.
“They have been heroes over the past year with everything they have had to deal with because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they have also done an amazing job of looking after my younger brother and my father as well.”
Ben’s brother suddenly lost the vision in his right eye and most of his left eye in September last year, but thanks to the quick-thinking of the team at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital he was able to start treatment to stop his condition worsening.
And his dad was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford with heart problems in October.
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Ben said: “We are so grateful for everything the local NHS did for both of them so this is a small way of saying thank you.
“I want to raise as much as I can to support the staff and take care of their needs while they are so busy taking care of everyone else.”
East Kent Hospitals Charity’s Helping Your Hospitals appeal funds projects and items to boost staff morale and wellbeing during the pandemic.
To support Ben’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-sackett-end-2-end