Barrow eight-year-old tackles 5k-a-day challenge for Bay Hospitals Charity

Posted on: 12 February 2021

An eight-year-old girl from Barrow plans to walk 5km every day in February to raise money for Bay Hospitals Charity.

Lilli-Mae Archer raised more than £1,500 for the charity last year when she cycled 53 miles in a week, and has set herself an even bigger challenge this time around.

Lilli said: “I want to raise money for the NHS because I want to help all the sick people.

“My Nanna Karen works at Furness General Hospital and she tells me how hard they all work. I want to raise as much money as I can.”

Mum Steph said: “Lilli-Mae is looking forward to walking 5k every day in February, even though this will be a challenge for her, to raise as much money as she can for Furness General Hospital. Lilli understands the pressure the NHS is under and wants to help where she can.”

Bay Hospitals Charity funds the latest equipment for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to help make patients more comfortable and ensure they get the best possible care and treatment.

Sue Smith OBE, Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s really heartwarming to see someone as young as Lilli-Mae put in such an amazing effort to support her local hospital.

“As well as doing something that will make a big difference to patients and staff at Furness General Hospital, she’s setting a fantastic example for all of us about the importance of daily exercise for mental and physical wellbeing.”

Lilli-May is the second youngster to take on a challenge for the charity so far this year. Last month Emme-Rose Deakin, also from Barrow, raised more than £1,300 for Bay Hospitals Charity with a daily walk of at least one mile.

To donate and support your local NHS hospital, contact Bay Hospitals Charity on 01524 516064 or visit www.bayhospitalscharity.org

And to support Lilli-Mae's fund-raising effort, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephanie-archer5