A STAGGERING £13,000 has been raised for a local hospital ward by a man from Kelloholm who walked from Sanquhar to John O’Groats to say thank you for the care and support provided to his mother.
Callum Taylor from Sanquhar took on the gruelling 312-mile two-week challenge to raise the money for the D7 Stroke and Rehabilitation Ward at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI)
Arriving at DGRI to present the cheque with his family, and mum Jacky, Callum said: “The staff on ward D7 were simply incredible in the help they provided my mum after she suffered a stroke in 2023.
“Everybody on the ward, including the consultants, the nurses, the physiotherapists and occupational therapists and speech and language therapists did so much to help mum begin her recovery, and I felt that I really needed to do something to say ‘thank you’.”
Explaining the idea for how the walk came about, Callum said: “The progress my mum made over the months at DGRI was astronomical and her rehab team was nothing short of amazing. My family and I will be forever grateful for the care that she received whilst down at Dumfries.”
Callum set off on his walk on April 13 this year, averaging more than 22 miles every day on his two-week walk to the most north-eastern point of mainland Scotland.
Looking back on the challenge, Callum said: “It was tough going. I’d never done anything like this before.
“There were obviously some really challenging points during the two weeks, with some bad weather and the blisters that come from walking so much, but I had some really great support along the way – fantastic messages, and so much money pledged. It really helped me to keep going, and to keep pushing.
“It felt fantastic to reach John O’Groats, and to have raised this money in support of the ward which helped mum so much.”
Callum was joined by his mum Jacky, and family Ryan and John Taylor when he visited DGRI in July to hand over the cheque.
Staff were delighted to greet the family, and to see Jacky’s progress.
Senior Charge Nurse Keri Van-Nuil said: “It was brilliant to welcome Jacky, Callum and the family back to D7, and we’re simply stunned by what Callum has achieved.
“It was quite a challenge, and the money he was able to raise by doing this was phenomenal.
“It’s always great to meet up again with people who’ve spent time in our wards, and their families, and it meant so much that Callum did this as a thank you.”
Callum’s donation to the NHS Dumfries and Galloway Endowment Fund will be able to fund activities which are not supported through core NHS funding
Staff are looking at the latest equipment in stroke and rehabilitation care that will benefit all patients cared for by their teams and they are going to keep Callum and his family updated on how the funds will be spent and the impact it will make.
Keri said: “A massive thank you again to Callum, his family and friends and all those who supported the fundraising.
“This donation will really help in supporting the work which is undertaken, benefiting others.”
