Staff member raises more than £1,500 to raise funds for MHA Norwood

A staff member at MHA Norwood has raised more than £1,500 by virtually trekking to Belgium to support the home's amenity fund.

Sergio Ishmael works at MHA Norwood as an activity coordinator and the home will use the funds he has raised to continue supporting residents by providing them with additional social and wellbeing activities.

The home provides residential and dementia care for 46 residents and difficulties in raising funds during the pandemic is what prompted Sergio to take on the challenge.

The trek challenge was a total of 260 miles, which was the distance from the home in Ipswich to Belgium.

Sergio used various methods such as running, cycling and walking to complete the challenge and says he was averaging around 25 miles a day and managed to complete the challenge two days in advance of his target finish date.

The 38-year-old said: “The challenge was tough, I am someone who goes to the gym regularly but I haven't done cardio for a very long time.

“I managed to get back into it after a few days and then it became easier.

“I am overwhelmed with the amount we have raised and can't thank everyone enough.

 

“During the height of the pandemic things were really tough, but I am grateful for the support that has been shown and the money raised will go a long way towards helping residents.

“I made sure I updated everyone on my progress and this was not only for everyone to see how I was doing, but made sure it kept me on track to complete the challenge.

“The support shown to me by staff members, family, friends and family members of residents have been amazing and I am very happy with how the challenge went.

“After completing the challenge this is definitely something I would like to do again, and I am confident I will receive the same if not more support next time.”