Lincolnshire NHS Staff Embark on Edale Skyline Fundraising Challenge
Seventy dedicated NHS staff from Lincolnshire have committed to participating in the Edale Skyline Walking Challenge next month, with the goal of raising funds for Lincolnshire NHS Charity. This event brings together colleagues from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) for a demanding 21-mile uphill endurance trek.
The Demanding Edale Skyline Route
The Edale Skyline Challenge is a circular hiking route spanning approximately 20 to 22 miles through the Peak District. It follows the high-level skyline around the Edale Valley, involving significant ascent and navigation over challenging terrain such as bogs and rocky paths. Participants will traverse iconic summits including Kinder Scout, Mam Tor, and the Great Ridge, all while enjoying stunning valley views. Known as a tough test of stamina, the challenge requires strong navigation skills and appropriate training.
Staff Perspectives on the Challenge
Jade Shucksmith, a mental health practitioner at LPFT from Wragby, is one of the walkers eagerly anticipating the challenge, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026. She expressed her motivation, stating, “I’m doing the challenge as NHS staff are amazing and often give their own time to help others. Without them we would have no NHS.” Jade, along with her husband Stuart, is undertaking the walk to improve her fitness and look forward to the spectacular views, particularly from the top of Mam Tor.
Rachel Mooney, a CAMHS Crisis Enhanced Treatment Team Practitioner at LPFT, supports young people in acute mental health crisis and is joining her colleagues for the challenge. Having previously completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and a Tough Mudder event, Rachel is excited about the Edale Skyline as her next personal challenge. She remarked, “I am keen to continue my support for Lincolnshire NHS Charity whilst taking on personal challenges such as the Edale Skyline. When I was training for the Yorkshire Three Peaks, I was a little obsessed with the Edale Skyline, as my fellow walking buddies will agree! I am grateful to the charity putting such great events together—where we can get fit, get outdoors and raise valuable funds for the NHS.”
Fundraising Goals and Charity Impact
The team aims to raise £5,000 to support NHS teams, patients, and families across Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire NHS Charity provides essential extras that make a significant difference, such as comfort packs for patients and families during end-of-life care and funding a therapy dog for patients on Welland Ward at Johnson Community Hospital in Spalding.
Ben Petts, Interim Charity Manager at Lincolnshire NHS Charity, commented on the event, saying, “We are thrilled to be putting this event on during the 30th birthday of our charity. We are grateful to all the walkers taking part in the challenge in May and wish them the best of luck.”
How to Support the Charity
If you would like to support the walkers with a donation, please visit their JustGiving page.
