Luton and Dunstable hospital staff tackle triathlon challenge to raise cash for children's A&E department

Staff at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital are preparing for a 100km bike ride to raise funds for the children’s accident and emergency department.

Led by Matron Ben Small, the fundraising event will be taking place this month as part of a staggered triathlon to raise £5k.

It’s part of a campaign between the hospital and Active Luton to raise funds for the department.

Ben completed the first part of the challenge, a 10k run at Flitwick on Sunday, April 16. Competing with 500 other runners, plus three colleagues – Arnold, Dinkar and Kate – Ben achieved a personal best completing the race in just 54 minutes.

He said: “For someone who wasn’t running just a few months ago, I am absolutely elated to have completed the 10km run 4 minutes quicker than during my training. It’s amazing how my dislike of running has now turned into a passion for improving.”

The next hurdle for Ben will be a 100km bike ride on Sunday, May 28, with the final leg being a 75-length (3.75k) swim at Active Luton’s Inspire: Luton Sports Village on Sunday, June 25. Ben will also be accompanied by the L&D team who will be completing a 75K swimming relay race to celebrate the NHS’s 75th Birthday this year.

Members of the public can join the L&D team to raise funds by swimming 75k throughout June at any Active Luton pool using the free swim aid SwimTag, which is available at reception. SwimTag tracks length, pace and calories burnt.

The emergency department team – Ben Small, Stephanie Barnes and Jade Hammond – have been instrumental in raising funds for the new unit with the support of the Charity Team, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been undergoing transformations within its Emergency Departments. The Luton & Dunstable site was awarded £15 million to redevelop and transform the Emergency Department and the work is almost complete.

Opening soon, the completed emergency department will have a whole new feel and look to it. The dedicated adult space has been expanded to allow for a more spacious waiting area and to increase the number of treatment rooms. The dedicated children’s space has also been expanded to allow a newly designed waiting area, increased treatment rooms, a dedicated mental health room and so much more. The fundraising as part of the staggered triathlon with fund new sky panels and projectors.

Active Luton chief executive officer, Helen Barnett said: “The health and wellbeing of our community is at the heart of everything we do, and so assisting Ben and the Luton & Dunstable Accident & Emergency team to raise funds for additional resources has been a pleasure. Active Luton would like to wish the team the best of luck.”

You can follow Ben’s fundraising journey, and make a donation, by visiting his JustGiving page.

To find out more or join in supporting this, contact the hospital fundraising team on [email protected] or call 01582 718 289.