Sheffield boy’s touching gesture for NHS in memory of ‘nanan Carol’ who died from Covid-19
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Carol Hartley, 74, from Chapeltown, was rushed to the Northern General Hospital on Friday, April 2, and was tested for coronavirus before being transferred to the Hallamshire Hospital where she passed away three days later.
Her grandson, nine-year-old Mitchell Sanderson, has now launched a fundraiser in her memory, vowing to briskly walk around 26.2 miles – the length of a marathon – over the course of a month in an effort to raise funds for the ‘wonderful’ NHS staff who cared for his ‘nanan Carol’.
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Hide AdMitchell, who lives with his mother Erica, stepdad Darren and four-year-old sister Ellie, will be completing the challenge on a treadmill and is hoping to walk at least 40 minutes a day to reach his goal.
Erica Sanderson, 41, said: “It has been such an upsetting time for all of us. Last week Mitchell approached myself and Darren to say he wanted to do something to help the NHS who cared for his Nanan.
“The staff at Hallamshire Hospital were just fantastic in their care for Carol and their communication, care and skill were exceptional as they fought for Carol's life right to the end.
“They were in constant contact with Darren and Darren's Dad Harry as we were not allowed at the hospital under the current lockdown situation. Mitchell suggested he could do a marathon on our treadmill. We were amazed and very touched at this kind selfless gesture.”
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Hide AdMitchell, who has autism, was inspired by Colonel Tom Moore to take on the challenge – the extraordinary war veteran who has now raised over £32m for the NHS.
Beginning his own challenge on April 28, the Windmill Hill Primary pupil initially hoped to raise £500, designing a window display and distributing posters to try to get everyone behind him to raise as much money as possible.
And despite only being a few days in, he has already managed to surpass his target raising a total of £1,430 so far.
Mitchell is also creating videos throughout his challenge to keep those who have donated up to date on his progress.
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Hide AdErica added: “This is all thanks to our wonderful friends, family and our local community who all loved Carol so much too. It is all our way of contributing to something positive out of this heartbreaking tragedy.
“Only Darren, his dad Harry and his brother Craig attended Carol's funeral last Friday. We are going to organise a memorial when we are able to have a large gathering at some time in the future.
“Mitchell is doing something so amazing and we are just bursting with pride. He’s just so determined – the way he’s going he’s going to do it well within a month!”
To donate to Mitchell’s ‘miles for my nanan’ fundraiser click here.