Taking on a step challenge for Hayward House

One of our fantastic fundraisers has taken on a 12-hour step challenge to raise money for Hayward House, where his auntie was treated before she sadly passed away.

Tom Coleman decided to take on the challenge after witnessing the care his auntie Tammy received at Hayward House in her final days. 

He explained: “What I found particularly special about Hayward House was the level of compassion and care the staff showed. Always there if you needed something, and just friendly towards us as a family.”

Tammy was treated at Hayward House after battling cancer for around four years. After she passed away, Tom wanted to raise money to thank staff there for their care and compassion.

Tom took on the 12-hour step challenge using a Stairmaster machine at the gym where he works as a personal trainer, and raised an incredible £2,235 for Hayward House thanks to donations from family, friends and colleagues.

He said: “During the challenge I felt fine, motivated and was pushing through until it got to around the seven-hour mark. That’s when the knee pain kicked in, then overcompensating and leaning over the machine my lower back started to seize up, which wasn’t in the plan!

“Aside from the physical struggle, the mental struggle was when the gym started to quieten down, no-one there in person to egg me on or keep me going so mentally it could have been easier to stop, especially when the pain worsened in my knees. Instead I just cracked on and kept telling myself ‘I’ve made it this far, no stopping now’.”

Tom successfully completed his challenge, taking more than 22,000 steps over the 12 hours.

He said: “I’m so grateful for the amount of money that was raised. People really got involved and backed me at every point. It was also an incredibly proud moment to be able to do something in memory of my auntie Tammy. The woman was a gem with a heart of gold and will be missed hugely by me and many others.”

You can sponsor Tom on his JustGiving page here.

Find out more about our Hayward House Appeal here.