A Grand expedition to raise cash for hospital charity

Charge Nurse Luke Sumner

A Blackpool Victoria Hospital nurse is about to embark on a gruelling trek, all in the name of charity.

Luke Sumner, a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Charge Nurse, will be trekking the Grand Canyon for five days to raise money for the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust charity, Blue Skies Hospitals Fund.

Luke will be joined by fellow adventure seeker, Craig Holland, who works for Blackpool-based Glasdon Group, and others to descend over 3,100 feet into the Canyon.

Although he has taken part in a host of events to raise the money needed to fund the trek, Luke needs to raise the last £1,000.

Luke said: “I need some extra support as I am completely out of my comfort zone and am pushing myself to the extreme.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and to do something I have never done before.”

As part of his training for the trek, Luke has been undertaking 10 mile walks all over the countryside, although the weather here is considerably cooler than in the desert.

Luke said: “The night time temperature there now is roughly the same as the daytime temperature here. I’m expecting the daytime heat to be around 30 degrees.”

Trekkers will be following an ancient Indian trail that will lead them into the Havasupai Indian Reservation with its bright blue green lagoons, huge waterfalls and breath-taking scenery.

Luke added: “It will be a great experience and it will all be worth it. I have raised quite a lot through sponsorship that doesn’t show on my Just Giving page, and I just need people to donate to allow me to reach me target.

“Being a nurse for 15 years, I have met a lot of patients and if completing the trek can help aid their care, then it will all be worth the effort.”

Blue Skies’ Interim Head of Fundraising, Ann Hedley, said: “We’re so grateful to Luke and Craig for doing this.

“It’s the first time that the charity has arranged this type of event and it’s a wonderful experience for those taking part.

Craig Holland

“I’m secretly a little jealous of them and I wish them all the best for the journey.

“It’s going to be very challenging and I know that Luke is worried about it.

“I only hope that the Fylde coast gets right behind him and gives him that boost of confidence that he really needs at the moment.

“We’ll be waiting to see the photos Luke and Craig!”

You can support Luke by visiting his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cardiacitu and Craig at https://www.justgiving.com/ca-holland

The walk takes place between September 16 and 23.

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