Hiking Helvellyn in support of St Oswald’s Hospice

“It’s a reasonably challenging 12 miles but when you see the impact St Oswald’s Hospice has on the lives of those who are supported and cared for by the team there, it’s hugely motivating.”

Stuart Conley and 16 of his colleagues recently ascended the heights of Helvellyn to raise money for an upcoming project build at St Oswald’s Hospice. Stuart’s employer, Fairhurst, are part of the team working together to deliver new accommodation units for the Young Adults who stay for short breaks at the Hospice.

Fairhurst, a Consultant Engineering firm with offices nationally, including a Newcastle base, first came into contact with St Oswald’s Hospice when working on the refurbishment of the Hospice’s Family Room; a special space where patients, their families and friends are able to spend time together, making memories.

It was during this time when Stuart, a Structural Engineer at Fairhurst, was able to see firsthand the role that St Oswald’s Hospice plays in the lives of those it supports and cares for.

“The environment at the Hospice is wonderful,” said Stuart, “and to see the pleasure patients get from the family room space and the surrounding gardens is really heart-warming.”

And it was on seeing this positive impact that Stuart felt moved to rope his colleagues into a fundraising challenge, to raise funds for an upcoming project at St Oswald’s Hospice.

“The day itself was a mixture of excitement and slight surprise at what we’d let ourselves in for,” shared Stuart, “and the forecast itself on the day wasn’t brilliant but we got ourselves up and out early.”