1,000 mile NHS challenge continues fundraising family’s £1m effort for Sheffield Children’s Hospital

A dad whose family has helped raise over £1.18million for Sheffield Children’s Hospital has not let Covid-19 stop his efforts.
L-R Richard, Donna, David, Jean, brother-in-law Simran Credit James Stewart PhotographyL-R Richard, Donna, David, Jean, brother-in-law Simran Credit James Stewart Photography
L-R Richard, Donna, David, Jean, brother-in-law Simran Credit James Stewart Photography

Originally intended as a one-off, their annual Daffodil Ball has been attended by almost 7,000 people over three decades.

The money has supported projects ranging from endoscopic instruments and the 3T intraoperative MRI scanner to The Children’s Hospital Charity’s ongoing efforts to redevelop the Emergency Department and the Cancer and Leukaemia ward.

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The fundraising events saw Richard Fyfe’s parents, David and Jean, honoured with the charity’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. However, the ball’s postponement due to Covid-19 this year prompted Richard to begin thinking of other ways he could help.

Richard Fyfe is taking on a 1,000 mile challenge to say thank youRichard Fyfe is taking on a 1,000 mile challenge to say thank you
Richard Fyfe is taking on a 1,000 mile challenge to say thank you

Richard, from Crosspool, explained: “It was knowing that the Daffodil Ball was going to be cancelled for another year that made me think about how much The Children’s Hospital Charity needs our support. Sheffield Children’s does great work every day, so I wanted to find a way to help.”

Richard’s commitment to the cause was also deepened by the care his son James and daughter Isabel have received at the hospital.

Seven-year-old James is under the care of the Ryegate Children’s Centre following his diagnoses for Autism spectrum Disorder (ASD) and more recently, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

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James’ mum Donna explained: “The consultants and nurses at Sheffield Children’s have been amazing. They’ve helped us get James the support he needs in school and have provided us with presentations and videos to develop strategies to help him.”

L-R Isabel, Donna, Richard and James Fyfe Credit Picture Perfect PhotographyL-R Isabel, Donna, Richard and James Fyfe Credit Picture Perfect Photography
L-R Isabel, Donna, Richard and James Fyfe Credit Picture Perfect Photography

Nine-year-old sister Isabel has had several visits to the hospital’s A&E department.

Donna said: “She first went to the Emergency Department when she was four and has since needed her head glued back together twice. Isabel loves gymnastics and seems to have spent much of her childhood upside down!

“We’re so lucky to have Sheffield Children’s on our doorstep. Our recent experiences have certainly made our family’s fundraising more poignant and motivated us to take on new challenges.”

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Richard’s challenge will see him run 1,000 miles in six months, which works out at around 40 miles a week, well over double what he managed in 2020.

Richard explains: “A friend, Hannah Bestwick, is a nurse at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and she tagged me in a post about the #NHS1000miles initiative over the Christmas holiday. It came along at just the right time and I’m really happy to be helping out in some small way.

“I already do quite a lot of running, so the challenge definitely appealed to me. I’ve never committed to running so far in such a short space of time before though, so it’s going to be tough.”

Richard has so far managed more than 400 miles from more than 50 runs. He has raised more than £3,000 in his challenge, with the total divided between The Ryegate Centre and The Children’s Hospital Charity’s main appeal, which includes redeveloping the Emergency Department, to reflect his family’s wide range of care at Sheffield Children’s.

To join Richard in taking on a sponsored challenge for Sheffield Children’s this year, visit: www.tchc.org.uk/events or you can support him at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ric-fyfe-1000-miles

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