EACH had their own reasons for taking part but all who walked five miles for city hospitals had eternal gratitude for NHS workers in common.

More than 100 people took part in Sunday’s “It’s Not Just a Walk in the Park” event for 34 charities that support Oxford’s hospitals.

They began and finished at Headington’s John Radcliffe Hospital and took in the Churchill, Nuffield Orthopaedic and Warneford hospitals.

Money is still coming in but organisers said it had raised thousands.

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Eve Hanlon, 32, took part with her family as daughter Martha, three, is being treated for leukemia at Kamran’s Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital at the JR.

The Headington resident, of Bowness Avenue, said: “We feel very indebted to Kamran’s Ward and we want to raise money to help children being treated on the ward.

“We realise the importance of funding because it makes a difference to children’s experience during treatment.”

She said: “Today is really about celebrating the care across our hospital and giving people the opportunity to thank medical staff who have helped them and their families.”

Selina Walker, 40, took part with her family as her 18-month-old daughter Lottie suffers from a minor heart problem.

The mum-of-three from Benson said they hoped to raise at least £200 for those who cared for Lottie since she was two weeks old. She said: “We are so lucky we have been able to access the care that we have.”

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Janet and Victor Puddick

 

Bicester couple Victor Puddick , 68, and wife Janet, 64, took part to raise £200 for the staff who replaced Victor’s hip. They were also thankful for those who treated grandson Arthur Power, one, who was admitted for suspected meningitis but had acute tonsillitis. Mr Puddick, of St Peter’s Crescent, said he could hardly walk before the operation and said: “I couldn’t believe the difference. If you saw me at Christmas you wouldn’t believe it was the same guy.”

Senior play specialist Christine Turner did the walk with nine others from the children’s hospital play team to raise at least £400. She said: “It was a very enjoyable way to raise money.”

Among those to benefit from fundraising were the dialysis unit at the Churchill, the intensive care unit at the John Radcliffe, and the Geoffrey Harris Ward at the Churchill.

 


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