Misterton women putting their best foot forward for charity

District Councillor Hazel Brand is walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall in August and Nicola Needham is tackling a 13-mile trek in the Peak District in September. They are hoping to raise £700 between them.

Both are raising funds for Joel – the Complete Package, which is a local charity dedicated to supporting families trying to conceive, through pregnancy and parenting after experiencing the loss of a baby. A particular initiative is to raise £35,000 to refurbish a birth room at Bassetlaw Hospital suitable for those who have lost a baby - so that they don’t have to suffer the additional trauma of being in a labour ward where other babies are being born.

The room will be comfortable and relaxed, allowing families to spend precious time with their baby/babies. The charity offers peer support and shared experiences in a relaxed and friendly environment. 

Hazel explained: ”It was Nicola that first introduced me to this charity as she had personal experience of losing not one but two babies. As I had worked at Bassetlaw Hospital before retirement, and it is the hospital local to where I live, I thought this was a wonderful cause to support and encourage me during the 84-mile walk from coast-to-coast along Hadrian’s Wall.

“I’m also a Governor of the Trust, elected by Bassetlaw members, so this is a chance to do something practical to support them and the Trust.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Hazel can do so online at: www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/Hazels-Hadrians-Wall-Walk

Nicola added: “I am doing a 13-mile Trekfest 2015 in six hours in September. The money I raise will go to Joel the Complete Package, and I’m doing this in memory of the two babies I miscarried but also in celebration of our two beautiful daughters, Megan and Rosie. Without the support from this charity, I am not sure how I would have got through my pregnancy carrying Rosie. I am also doing this for a few friends that have had babies born ‘sleeping’.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Nicola can do so online at: www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/joel13miles