A group of kind-hearted colleagues from a Pudsey home care provider are preparing to take on a thrilling charity zip-wire ride over Ilkley this July.
The 16-strong team from Caring Folk, on Richardshaw Lane, will be taking on the daredevil challenge to raise funds for national healthcare charity Sue Ryder, which runs Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley.
“We have a real connection to Sue Ryder as a lot of people we care for transition to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice for end-of-life care,” says Jess Procter, registered manager. “We work closely with the brilliant Sue Ryder Nurses from the hospice’s community team, and we often hear from families what fantastic care and support they have received.
“I’ve been to visit a few of our service users in the hospice and I always say to everybody that it’s the most amazing place, and where you would want to be at the end of life. The whole environment is so warm and welcoming, and the staff go above and beyond for every patient.”
Care assistant Charlotte Clemmens will be taking on the zip line with her sister Jess. In 2013 their parents got married at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice while their mum was receiving end-of-life care.
Speaking about the care her mum received, Charlotte said: “It was outstanding. The morning of the wedding the nurses came and got her ready and really went above and beyond by providing a private room to use throughout the day. Every time I think of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice it makes me smile.”
Care assistant Debbie Spaven’s father also received care at the hospice before he died in January 2023. She said: “Dad was cared for at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in the final week of his life. He was very settled and comfortable, and all the staff were fantastic. It was a massive help to us all knowing he was in good hands, as a family we were all able to be there around his bed when he passed. We can’t thank all the staff enough for everything they did for us all.”
To raise funds for Sue Ryder and show their appreciation for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, 16 brave members of the team have signed up to Zip the Cow, which will see them walk up to the top of the iconic ‘cow’ at the Cow and Calf Rocks above Ilkley, before whizzing 270m down Ilkley Moor reaching speeds of up to 35mph.
Jo Stevens, Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to the team at Caring Folk for signing up for this challenge to raise vital funds to support our care. There is always an electric atmosphere at Zip the Cow and it’s wonderful to see families, friends and colleagues come together to have fun, try something new and share a truly memorable experience.”
Donate to the Caring Folk team’s fund-raising page here.
Zip the Cow is now open for entries and will take place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July 2023. More details here.