Dozens of learning disability staff to take part in 300 mile charity challenge
By News Wales, , , ,
A team of NHS learning disability staff are set to pound the streets and mountains of North Wales as part of a lung busting charity challenge.

Dozens of staff from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Learning Disability Services will take part in the mammoth 300 mile fundraising challenge on June 1st.
In doing so, the dedicated team hope to raise money to support learning disability charity The Paul Ridd Foundation and the North Wales Complex Needs Learning Disability Service through NHS charity, Awyr Las.
The ‘North Wales Challenge’ is one of a number of events organised by BCUHB staff throughout 2019 to celebrate 100 years of learning disability nursing.
The challenge will see the team take part in a number of sponsored activities, including a cycle from Pwllheli to Abergele Hospital; walking and running challenges beginning at Mold Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd; and a horse riding challenge from the site of the old Oakwood Hospital in Conwy.
Steve Forsyth, BCUHB Director of Nursing for Mental Health & Learning Disability Services, will also be running 28 miles from Rhyl to Bryn y Neuadd Hospital in Llanfairfechan, taking in the Conwy Parkrun en route.
The event has been organised by Simon Sherriff, a Team Leader with BCUHB’s Learning Disability Service, who will be attempting to scale Snowdon and then complete all 15 of the Snowdonia peaks which are over 3,000 feet in height within 24 hours.
He said: “We have chosen to support two causes which are very close to our hearts and so many people have put in a huge amount of effort to make it a memorable occasion. We’re really looking forward to it.”
The Paul Ridd Foundation was founded by Jayne Nicholls and Jonathan Ridd, who have campaigned tirelessly to improve standards of learning disability care since the death of their brother Paul at a south Wales hospital in 2009.
Since his death his family say they have turned “anger into action” and have praised BCUHB for working alongside them to improve standards of care.
The Complex Needs Service provides support from cradle to grave for people with learning disabilities who demonstrate behaviours which can challenge. The BCUHB team work in partnership with other organisations to ensure that these service users receive the quality of life they deserve.