Giving back to her colleagues: Fiona’s virtual Urban Challenge
02 November 2020
Veteran Urban Challenger Fiona couldn’t stomach adding the annual fundraising event to the list of things she missed out on this year. Instead she joined the ranks of the virtual Guy’s Urban Legends so she could give back to her colleagues at Evelina London and Guy’s and St Thomas’.
Fiona, at each stage of her virtual urban challenge
Working through the pandemic
Fiona’s normal work routine flew out the window with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. As the IT Duty Operations Manager for Guy’s and St Thomas’, she experienced first-hand the immense pressure NHS key workers felt as everyone prepared to keep their patients safe during the first wave of the pandemic.
As cases started to spike, Fiona had to start taking on extra responsibilities to ensure that medical staff had all the necessary equipment that was vital to maintain their patients’ care.
“The demands on IT rose dramatically, and we all found ourselves stepping out of our normal activities to make sure the hospital could keep working,” she says.
But through all the extra pressures, one thing stood out to Fiona:
“It’s been so inspiring to see how everyone pulled together to mobilise and transform the hospital.”
Yet she knows that the hospital staff at Evelina London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ couldn’t have kept going through the pandemic without generous donations from supporters.
“Donors have been fantastic in supporting all areas where the staff needed a little extra help,” she says. “I’ve seen how difficult the situation has been inside the hospital, and how happy people were when they got some shopping. They didn’t have to worry about shortages and were able to receive some downtime in the wellbeing zones. I honestly think that the boost to wellbeing made a huge difference to help everyone keep going.”
Knowing the difference fundraising makes, Fiona knew she wanted to return the favour and give something back to everyone at Evelina London.
Fundraising at home
Fiona has completed Guy’s Urban Challenge twice before and loved the buzz the event created for the hospitals. So, when the change in seasons crept in unmarked by the strenuous training in preparation for the Urban Challenge, she felt something was missing.
“As September approached, I really missed the preparation for Guy’s Urban Challenge, so I just decided to go for the virtual event.”
Preparation and training during a pandemic was a tall task, but Fiona rose to the challenge.
“I’m not a regular runner, so I had a few trial runs to make sure 5km was not going to defeat me, and whenever I was in the office, I abandoned the lifts and took to the stairs. I’m lucky enough to have an exercise bike at home, so I made sure I was on that daily to get fit too.”
Then it was the day of the event. Although Fiona wasn’t used to completing the challenges without the company of fellow fundraisers, she adjusted to fundraising at home.
Taking on the Guy’s Urban Challenge remotely did come with some unexpected challenges though.
“On the biking stage I really missed the Watt bikes that are used, it took forever on my home exercise bike!” said Fiona.
In the absence of the Guy’s Hospital Tower, Fiona took to going up and down the two flights of stairs in her block of flats when it was time for the infamous stair climb. In support of her clinical colleagues and to make sure her challenge was safe for her and the neighbours, Fiona donned a face mask, adding an extra layer to an already gruelling challenge.
“It was nice and early so not many folks about, but having done what I had calculated to be a match for the height of Guy’s Tower, I discovered that my watch did not agree, so I wound up with an extra 10 sets of stairs to do,” she says.
But with the support of her friends and family via social media, Fiona finally crossed the finish line and celebrated her win with a cup of tea on her balcony.
“Although I really missed the atmosphere of the Urban Challenge at the hospital this year, it felt great doing a little something to help,” says Fiona. “I’ll be ready to go again next year virtual or otherwise!”
Do you have what it takes to become an Urban Legend? Although the event isn’t going ahead as usual this year, you can still make a difference to the Evelina London community. Sign up to the virtual event here.
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through our donation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
For a Bank Transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportevelina.org.uk
and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity, with 'Evelina London' written on the reverse.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team Fundraising Team Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) or donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Please also provide some basic information about the item, including how old the item is and we will then be able to confirm if the hospital is able to accept the item.
Please note that we are unable to accept soft toys and toys that cannot be easily cleaned.
If you would like to discuss this more to find out how we can help, please call our Supporter Care team via info@supportevelina.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Evelina London is part of Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital so does not have a separate registered charity number.
The charity number for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity is 1160316.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
Do you accept donations of clothing?
Clean, plain clothing for adults and children are accepted, items such as jogging bottoms and sweatshirts are ideal. Used underwear is not accepted.
Thank you to everyone who has offered knitted bonding squares for our Neonatal Unit. We’ll let you know if we need more in future but for now, we have plenty. We’ve had so many offers our cupboards are overflowing!
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded then please contact via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx
