One Million Steps in March for Clare

Former Nottingham Forest player Vance Warner is walking one million steps during March, in memory of a beloved friend.

Vance set off from Nottingham City Hospital on Tuesday 1st March and aims to walk around 19 miles a day during the course of the month, all to raise money for Nottingham Hospitals Charity.

He is taking on the challenge in memory of his friend Clare Doran, who sadly passed away in September 2021, at the age of 48. Clare was cared for on Fraser Ward and at Hayward House palliative care centre, both at the City Hospital.

Vance hopes to raise £4,700 through the walking challenge, which will go towards improving the garden area for patients and families at Hayward House. He expects to walk the equivalent of the distance between Inverness and London. 

He was waved off on his walk by Clare’s family, staff from Fraser Ward and Hayward House where Clare was treated, and the team from Nottingham Hospitals Charity.

Vance said: “#Themarchmillion will be a test of endurance and mental strength but it's something I'm prepared to go through as a tribute to a wonderful friend and my way of showing love and support to her family and the amazing staff that cared for Clare. It was humbling being asked to be part of something so personal and the generosity already shown reminds us that people want to support something uplifting.

“If we hit our ambitious target to make the plans for the garden a reality, it'll allow other patients and families to create special moments with the time they have left or hopefully find some respite from emotional and physical distress. That alone will make the 04:30 alarm calls, aches, pains and 'why did I agree to this?' moments so much more worthwhile.”

Nigel Gregory, Deputy Chief Executive of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “Hayward House is a special place, which provides care and support for patients with terminal illnesses, as well as their loved ones. As part of our Hayward House Appeal, we want to raise money to make the environment the very best it can be for patients and their families.

“As well as improving the facilities within the building, we also want to enhance the garden area that surrounds Hayward House. In a city hospital it can be rare to find such a lovely, green space, and we’d like to provide more plants, landscaping and garden furniture to help make the most of this area. This will give patients and their families a place to go and spend precious time together, away from the ward environment, and allow patients to enjoy spending time outdoors in peaceful surroundings.”

You can sponsor Vance on his JustGiving page here.