Dr Mike Bloomfield takes on a challenge to walk 500km over 100 days for City Hospice to raise funds at a time when shops are closed and fundraising events are postponed
Dr Mike Bloomfield, retired GP , co-founder of City Hospice and a Vice-President of the charity, formerly George Thomas Hospice, is currently in self isolation at home. At the age of 69 years old he has has heart disease treated by quadruple bypass surgery. He has also had both hips replaced. He is exercising by walking around his house and garden and plans to walk a total of 500km at a rate of 5km daily.
Why a 500km walk?
This would mean that he will have walked to the source of his inspiration, St Christopher`s Hospice, Sydenham, London, and back to Cardiff. It was his visit to St. Christopher`s as a medical student in 1972 and meeting the pioneer of hospice care, Dr Cicely Saunders that inspired him to ensure that this care would one day be available in Cardiff.
City Hospices` work relies on fundraising to maintain the level of care it provides. Under the current lockdown not only are the charities seven shops closed, but fundraising events have been cancelled.
Dr Bloomfield told us why he is taking on the challenge:
“Myself and many others have spent a great deal of our own time and worked tirelessly over 40 years to establish this charity and the excellent service it provides today . It’s important to me to try to reduce the damage caused by this terrible pandemic. Our Hospice team remain in the community looking after patients in their homes, whilst working within the current guidelines. I felt that I wanted to do something to help. So I decided to take on the challenge of a 500km walk over 100 days.
I started serious walking 10 days ago, to ensure that I would be able to complete the challenge. So far so good and I am ready for the challenge. I have walked 45km so far, which means I am between Magor services and the second Severn crossing. I will give regular updates of progress until my finishing line back here in Cardiff on Tuesday, 18th August.
Liz Andrews, Chief Executive at City Hospice said:
This is such a fantastic challenge that Mike has set himself. As a co-founder of City Hospice 36 years ago and current Vice President, I know how much the vital care we provide to patients facing terminal illness, means to Mike. We are very grateful for his continued support which means so much to us especially during this difficult time. We wish Mike all the best with this incredible challenge.”
To sponsor Dr Bloomfield’s 500km walk click here
