
Staff in our children’s emergency department are walking 10 million steps this May, all to raise money for young people’s mental health facilities.
Since Covid, the paediatric emergency team has seen an increase in the number of children and young people with mental health issues coming to the hospital’s children and young people’s emergency department.
Now the team has taken it upon themselves to raise money to further enhance the care and support they can give, both while under the hospital’s care and once they leave the hospital.
They are hoping to raise £1,000 to buy a range of age-appropriate toys, games and de-stressing colouring books. They are also looking to provide children and young people with comfort packs and resources that they can take home upon discharge.
As a team, we want to be able to provide a safe space for children, to offer comfort and support for them and their families. So we’re taking the steps – 10 million of them in fact – to provide better outcomes for our patients’ mental health.
Lauren Williams, paediatric staff nurse

The team has so far clocked 7 million steps with a week still to go.
Lauren continued: “We’re doing this to support our patients but we’re getting so much from this ourselves.
“We’ve not only increased the amount of exercise we’re getting, but it’s a great team-building exercise.
“We’ve been working the 10 million steps into our social lives by meeting up outside of work to walk our dogs or getting out in the countryside – followed by a well-earned tea or coffee of course.
“There is a bit of friendly competition but it’s about getting the 10 million steps together.”
To support Lauren and her team’s cause, please visit JustGiving.