Three colleagues from the University Hospitals Dorset Trust are attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro next month to raise money for hospital charity.
Deben Harris, Fiona Sowerby and Judith May all aim to raise £6,400 to elevate care for the local community by climbing Africa’s tallest peak for the services close to their hearts, one step at a time.
Deben, who is the lead respiratory physiologist at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), is aiming for the summit in honour of his “adventurous” dad, Lee.
Following Lee’s passing in November 2023, Deben was inspired by his dad’s exceptional life and later battle with Parkinson’s to raise funds to support others who are starting their journey with the disease.
Deben said: “As I climb the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, I carry my dad’s adventurous spirit, and his memory will empower me as I conquer new heights. Having witnessed my dad’s battle with Parkinson’s, I am proud to raise funds for the Parkinson’s services at University Hospitals Dorset, supporting other individuals and their loved ones on their journey with the disease. Additionally, I’m honoured to fundraise for our hospitals’ exceptional respiratory care where I’ve worked for nearly two decades and have witnessed firsthand the unwavering dedication this fantastic team has to the people of Dorset.”
Fiona has been working for the NHS for almost 24 years, and she’s currently a management accountant with University Hospitals Dorset. She’s raising money for UHD’s Palliative Care services after having lost family members to cancer.
Fiona said: “Supporting University Hospitals Dorset’s palliative care is my way of giving back and making a difference to a service that has meant so much to my family.
Losing loved ones to cancer showed me how vital palliative care is, providing comfort, dignity and support during such a difficult time. By raising funds for palliative care through University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, I aim to enhance the service and bring peace and empathy to more families during life’s most difficult moments.”
Having worked for the NHS for 36 years, Judith is passionate about combining her love for supporting the community with a personal challenge as she takes on the 10-day trek to conquer the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in support of University Hospitals Dorset.
In the last few years, Judith, who is the Director of Operational Performance and Oversight at UHD, witnessed the work that University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity does to enhance facilities across Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Hospitals.
Judith said: “Climbing Africa’s highest mountain after 36 years in the NHS, I expect will be both challenging and rewarding in equal measures. This adventure is my way of giving back to the NHS and hospitals, which have been a big part of my life. I’ve seen firsthand how University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity enhances care across our local hospitals, making a real difference for patients and staff. By raising these funds, I’d like to take those services even further so we can keep making things better for everyone across Dorset in the future.”
Every single step Deben, Fiona and Judith take, and every pound donated to their fundraisers will have a huge impact on enhancing NHS services and improving the experience of every patient at our local hospitals.
Deben, Fiona and Judith all have their own fundraising which you can see here (Deben), here (Fiona) and here (Judith).