Nurses from Oxford Health Community Children’s Nursing team will be putting their best feet forward this weekend to undertake a marathon walk in aid of charitable cause very close to their hearts.

They will be stepping out for 26 miles on Saturday, April 23 to raise much needed money to support ROSY (Respite Nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters) a fund which operates under the umbrella of Oxford Health Charity.

Each year the  ROSY Great Estates Walk takes place passing through some of the most beautiful parts of Oxfordshire including Blenheim, Ditchley, Cornbury and the Wychwood Forest

It is a key event for ROSY providing vital funding so that Oxford Health’s nurses can provide additional respite care to sick youngsters in their own homes – many of the children having been born with life-limiting or chronic conditions.

Joining the nursing and healthcare assistants on the gruelling trek across country will be family and friends, with senior figures from the OHFT Community Services division leading the way – Executive Managing Director Dr Ben Riley, Clinical Director Pete McGrane and Service Director Emma Leaver.

With annual running costs of £250,000 ROSY is able to fund three full time and seven part time respite nurses in addition to the other services it provides to the families in Oxfordshire.

These include helping with equipment to improve the quality of life for families who are looking after a disabled or sick child and a counselling service for families affected by having a child with a severe disability or illness.

ROSY relies entirely on the goodwill and generosity of the public for their funding.

The Community Children’s Nursing team is part of the group of nurses and health care assistants who provide essential respite care and are taking time out of their weekend to walk out for this very important charity.

One of the team explains why: “Working as a children’s respite nurse for ROSY enables staff to give compassionate, holistic and child and family focused care. This type of care is so important to be able to give to children and their families and enables health care professionals to walk alongside them in their journey. It’s an absolute privilege to be invited to care for children and families this way in their own homes.”

Please show your support

If you would like to support them on the fundraising mission please visit their Just Giving page Oxford Health Team is fundraising for ROSY Fund (part of the Oxford Health Charity) (justgiving.com)

Find out more about  ROSY – Respite care for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters and take a look at our Oxford Health charity page here