Fundraisers take on unusual challenges to raise £2,800 for Sheffield children's hospital

Richard Lindley raised more than £1,000 for The Children's Hospital Charity.

Richard Lindley, a paediatric surgeon at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, has helped more than ten thousand young people in almost a decade.

As well as going the extra mile in his day job, Richard used the disappointment of his cancelled holiday plans to fundraise and make a positive difference to the children and young people he helps.

He said: “I love this job and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

On her 10th birthday, Daisy broke her arm in two places and required treatment at Sheffield Children's.

“Being able to help children with these problems and support their families is technically and emotionally demanding but infinitely rewarding.”

Richard had planned to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats for his holiday this year but instead he decided to take on the challenge at home. He cycled 158 miles in one day and raised a total of £1,195 for The Children’s Hospital Charity at the same time.

He said: “The hospital charity does phenomenal work supporting and enhancing what we do at Sheffield Children’s and making it a better place for children and their families to visit.

“The pandemic has hit all charities hard and I wanted to use this opportunity to help them if I could.”

Meanwhile, schoolgirl Daisy Haigh from Sheffield also raised money for the hospital by completing an unusual swimming challenge.

The 12-year-old used a bungee cord as a harness for a paddling pool in her back garden to swim 5km and raise more than £900.

The gesture was to say thank you to Sheffield Children’s Hospital for the care provided to her.

She said: “On my 10th birthday, I had a roller-skating party and broke my arm in two places.

“I was really scared when I first got there but everyone at the hospital is so friendly, the doctors were kind and never failed to make me laugh. It’s so bright and colourful too.

“I want all the patients there to have toys, books and happy places and faces when they are feeling sad.”

Daisy’s challenge saw her swim 1km a day, which on average took her 30 minutes.

She completed the distance over five consecutive days.