Nurse inspires team of Sussex care workers to step out for NHS

A Worthing paediatric nurse inspired a team of care workers across Sussex to step out for NHS Charities Together, following in the footsteps of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
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Joanne Turner is director of quality improvement at the social enterprise Integrated Care 24, which provides urgent care services across the south and has been an NHS business partner for more than 25 years.

She ran a month-long campaign encouraging colleagues to raise money for the charity by racking up daily steps, having seen how exercise had benefited her own mental health.

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Joanne said she had struggled to balance work, home schooling and wellbeing during the first national lockdown, but walking had a big impact and she was inspired by Captain Tom’s fundraising campaign to get her organisation moving in 2021.

Joanne Turner, a paediatric nurse, with her sons, who she was home schooling during lockdownJoanne Turner, a paediatric nurse, with her sons, who she was home schooling during lockdown
Joanne Turner, a paediatric nurse, with her sons, who she was home schooling during lockdown

The campaign ran from March 15 to April 15 and saw colleagues across the county walking, cycling and running to raise money.

Joanne said: “We’re thrilled to have raised £1,756 for NHS Charities Together and travelled a collective 2,203 miles in honour of Captain Sir Tom Moore

“Having worked as a nurse for 16 years, the NHS really means a lot to me. The past year has been incredibly challenging for all key workers and I have been amazed by the compassion and dedication of my colleagues.

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“I decided to plan an IC24 collective challenge to motivate myself and my colleagues to get moving, improve our wellbeing, while honouring the work of our NHS colleagues and Captain Sir Tom Moore by raising money for NHS Charities Together.

“A big thank you to all those who donated to our JustGiving page, and to our executive team for kindly boosting the original fundraising efforts by matching the money that was raised.”

Captain Tom’s campaign captured the heart of the nation during a challenging time and Joanne wanted to honour his impressive work and life by following in his footsteps.

Joanne said: “I was so inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s endeavour, while at the same time being aware that having once been an avid runner, my fitness and motivation had dramatically tailed off over the course of the past year.

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“This was due to the challenge of managing work and family life, alongside the stresses and anxieties of a global pandemic. I knew it had impacted my emotional wellbeing.”

There was an amazing response from all the teams at IC24, which operates the out-of-hours home visiting service in Sussex, as well as running Hastings Primary Care Hub and Eastbourne Station Health Centre.

Annabelle Feetenby, fundraising executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “Thank you IC24 for organising this brilliant fundraising initiative inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s amazing campaign.

“The money raised will help us to continue to go the extra mile in supporting our NHS workers, volunteers and patients at the centre of this crisis and beyond.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ic24-integrated-care-24 for more information and to make a donation.

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