On top of the world for MedEquip4Kids

Billed as a reunion, the visit was organised by consultant paediatrician Dr Toni Tan, who took part in a fundraising trek in Morocco last year with the charity MedEquip4Kids. He invited his fellow trekkers to look around the unit to see where some of MedEquip4Kids’ money has been spent over the years.

 

Dr Tan, who has worked at the Trust since 2003, has been involved with the charity for many years. He said: “MedEquip4Kids is a children’s charity which raises money to provide paediatric medical equipment and facilities for hospitals and community health teams. Their aim is to help ensure babies, children and teenagers receive the best possible care when they are sick or injured and so will fund items which are known to improve the care provided to children, but are not readily available within the NHS’ limited budgets. 

 

“I have seen the great work which they do as we have received an ultrasound machine from them for the neonatal ward and they also funded equipment for the new women’s and children’s development which opened at North Manchester General Hospital in 2009.”

 

Challenged to each raise £2,600 on their five day trek through the Anti Atlas region of Morocco, the team found it tough going as they were walking through difficult terrain in hot and dry conditions.

 

Dr Tan continued: “Each day we were told that our morning trek would last for about four hours, and our afternoon trek for around three hours. However it was always two hours longer than we had anticipated! We did develop good team work though and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings which we were walking in.

 

“I was surprised that wherever we stopped, a child would appear from seemingly nowhere to sell us small handmade jewellery. Even when we reached the top of a summit a child appeared there with us.

 

“The last day was the hardest trek and we reached our final destination well after sunset. Everyone was hungry and irritable and people without torches had to huddle together around those who had light. We could see our hotel in the distance and when we finally reached it, the simple shower and mint tea we received as a welcome seemed to be the most delightful pleasures I have experienced!”

 

Rose Franks, Community Fundraiser at MedEquip4Kids, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for the Moroccan participants to get together and see the valuable work of MedEquip4Kids.  Toni is so passionate about his job and explained how important the medical equipment funded by MedEquip4Kids is, in the care of babies and children at North Manchester General Hospital.  A huge thank you to all the participants for their hard work in both fundraising and training for this international challenge.”

 

Anyone who would like to take part in an international challenge for MedEquip4Kids can visit our events page or contact Rose on 0161 798 1600.