A nurse from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has walked a marathon with her baby on her back and raised nearly £200 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Lisa Wharton, who worked with the Keswick District Nursing Team, was diagnosed with the condition on the day she found out she was eight weeks pregnant with her son.
She said: “For someone who is used to walking up mountains and being active, I was completely wiped out. I spent six months in hospital and could barely get out of bed and wash my hair. I had great care at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and I am so thankful to the medical staff.
Lisa, who is due to return from her maternity leave in September, will be joining the Medical Procedures Unit at the Cumberland Infirmary.
She said: “My grandfather, Geoff, died two years ago and was the first person in the UK to have a stoma fitted. I have previously raised money for the charity. I get the charity newsletter and while I was on maternity leave I thought I’d take up the challenge and try and raise about £150.”
Lisa, 33, bought a special rucksack for Bowen and each day they set off on a new adventure, until they had completed the distance of a marathon.
She said: “We live in Appleby but the challenge took us all over the place. We climbed Dufton Pike, which was quite steep, and walked a lot along the banks of the Eden near Armathwaite. We also used to do a route from Little Salkeld to Lacey’s Caves as that’s where there is a memorial to my grandad. The charity sent us special t-shirts to wear.
“Bowen weighs about 14 kilos so it was a good workout for me.”
Through sponsorship, the pair raised £190 and were sent special medals.
Lisa, who spent much of her pregnancy shielding, will return to work in about three weeks to work in the department where she regularly goes for her infusions.
She said: “They’re a great team and I am looking forward to it. I will be helping people with infusions, biopsies and blood transfusions.”