Team to take on mountain challenge for NHS

Above: Colleagues from Platform Housing Group are part of a team who have signed up for an endurance challenge to raise money for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Colleagues from a Platform are testing their limits of endurance by taking on an epic challenge.

Miroslav Bil, Tome Rose, Arturas Malakauskas and Craig Philpotts from Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of the one of the UK’s largest social landlords, Platform Housing Group – are undertaking the Welsh 3000 Challenge in the early summer.

The colleagues – who are all based in Herefordshire and Worcestershire - are part of a team of 20; the challenge will involve climbing 15 peaks over three mountain ranges, more than 3000ft in height and all in under 24 hours.

The group will be raising money for the Worcestershire Neonatal Unit and Transitional Care Unit.

The unit was chosen as it helped a colleague of the Property Care team, Sandy Millington.

Sandy said: “My son was born prematurely at just 28 weeks gestation; he weighed just 850g and had a battle to be here today.  There were points where I honestly thought he wouldn’t make it.  Without the Worcester Neonatal Unit he undoubtedly would not be here.  But keeping these tiny but mighty babies fighting is no easy task, it requires dedicated staff and sophisticated equipment.  The equipment is not cheap and the ward rely on charitable donations alongside NHS funding to fund these purchases for the ward.  Without this equipment, it would be impossible to keep these babies going and - speaking as a parent who knows all too well that those machines kept my son alive – I urge you to donate to this cause.  I know that times are hard financially but it really will make a huge difference to so many babies like my son Theo.”

Training is well underway, with treks in both the Breacon Beacons and Mount Snowdon, organised by Hereford-based Garry Jones; Garry is a transformational coach, martial arts master, an international speaker and a number one best selling author.  He also runs a boxing gym.

Miroslav Bil, an electrician at Platform Property Care said : “This is such a great challenge to be involved in, training with a fabulous group of people and raising money for such a worthwhile cause.”

Chris Leigh, Service Manager at Platform Property Care said: “We are so proud of our colleagues for getting involved in such a worthwhile initiative.  As a housing association we have a real sense of social purpose.  Giving back to our communities is all part of this.  We wish them all the best!”

Other team members include a kick boxing coach at Hereford Combat Academy, Chelle Banes and Kristo Shivanchev who’s company, Simple Design Works, has designed the group’s T-shirts.

Their fundraising target is £10,000.

To donate, please visit their Just Giving page.