How many sweets in the jar? Tracy Atkins gets her fundraising underway as she strives for £2,800 target
A hospice Health Care Support Worker is planning to raise £2,800 this summer by trekking the Great Wall of China.
Tracy Atkins, 51, from Lincoln, is heading to Beijing in September for an eight-day charity trek in aid of St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.
Tracy said: “The trek really is the chance of a lifetime and I am honoured to be able to raise the money for St Barnabas. My family and colleagues are behind me one hundred percent and their support will help with the emotional and physical aspects of this challenge.
“Every day I witness first hand just how crucial fundraising is to the care and services we provide and it is really motivating to know that I am able to support that, even in some small way.”
Two years ago Tracy raised £1,500 when she jumped 13,000ft in a sponsored skydive.
Tracy said: “Fundraising is vitally important to our hospice because it raises much-needed funds and helps to raise the awareness of our services.
“People often ask me if working in a hospice is upsetting and, although we experience times of great sadness, the hospice is also an inspiring place filled with laughter, love and an abundance of happy times.
“I am incredibly proud to say I work for the hospice and that I am able to help people to have the best quality of life until the very end. It is comforting to know that what we do makes a real difference to so many people across Lincolnshire.”
Tracy has worked at the Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road in Lincoln for the past 17 years.
Tracy said: “My role is to take care of the patients, which can be anything from helping them to eat and drink to washing their hair and applying their make-up. It’s about more than just the physical side of care. It’s about ensuring that their wellbeing is looked after.
“I am so confident about the quality of care that we deliver that if a member of my family ever needed the support of the hospice I know they would be receiving the best possible care in Lincolnshire.”
Since the beginning of January, Tracy has organised a coffee morning, bingo night and disco to help raise the minimum sponsorship of £2,800 for her to take part in the trip.
Tracy continued: “I am very lucky to have the support of all my wonderful colleagues who have been digging deep to help me in my fundraising endeavours. They have helped to raise over £700 already.
“The knowledge that the money I raise will directly benefit local adults battling life-limiting illnesses is enough to see me through to the finish line.”
To sponsor Tracy, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/Tracy-Atkins3