Market trader to walk from Barnsley to Sheffield to fundraise for hospital that saved his dad's life

A Barnsley market trader is set to walk from Barnsley hospital to Sheffield Northern General, to raise money for the unit that saved his dad's life.
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Luke Burkinshaw, who runs the Gifted UK stall in the market, has already smashed his £1,000 target ahead of the walk in August.

The money will be donated to Northern General's cardiac intensive care unit, which saved Luke's dad, Steve's life in May.

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Luke said: “My dad was out collecting for the NHS. When he got home, he said his legs felt strange. Not long after, he collapsed to the floor."

Luke and his dadLuke and his dad
Luke and his dad
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“Initially, we thought he maybe had something like a trapped nerve, but it became clear it was a lot more serious.”

Steve was rushed to Northern General, where a consultant discovered he needed emergency heart surgery.

With his life hanging in the balance, Steve underwent successful surgery, but was far from recovered.

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“He didn’t seem to be getting better and still had a lot of issues,” says Luke. “And a few days later, the staff had to perform CPR.”

Steve – unbeknownst to doctors – had an airlock in his heart, which significantly inhibited his recovery.

“But when they did the CPR, it’s like they pressed the reset button,” added Luke.

The CPR released the airlock, allowing him to begin his recovery, and two months later, Steve’s well on the way to being fighting fit.

“We wanted to do something to say thank you,” says Luke.

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“So me and some family members and friends will walk to Northern General on Sunday 23 August to raise money for hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit.

“I set the target at £1,000 and we’ve already surpassed that. But you can’t put a price on someone’s life, so I’m just asking people to donate what they can.”

Sponsor forms can also be found on Luke’s stall, Gifted UK, units 32 and 39 inside Barnsley Market.

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