Future Leighton Hospital construction partner raises over £6,600 for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity

A team from VINCI Building has raised more than £6,600 for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity after completing the legendary Fan Dance Challenge, one of the UK's toughest endurance events.

The challenge saw an 18-strong team tackle the demanding terrain of the Brecon Beacons in support of local NHS services, with Regional Director Tony Grindrod taking on an extraordinary personal challenge by completing the route three times, covering approximately 72 kilometres and multiple ascents of Pen y Fan.

The fundraising initiative marks the beginning of a growing relationship between Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity and Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, which was recently appointed to build the new Leighton Hospital as part of the Healthier Futures programme.

To celebrate the achievement, representatives from VINCI Building visited Leighton Hospital to present a cheque and learn first-hand how charitable donations are transforming the lives of patients, families and NHS staff across Mid Cheshire.

The team toured several charity-funded projects, including the transformed Urology Department, where charitable funding has helped provide advanced medical equipment, enhanced interiors and a dedicated patient garden. They also visited the four seasons Dementia Garden, a carefully designed outdoor space that supports the wellbeing of people living with dementia, and the Meadow Suite, a specialist baby bereavement facility providing comfort, privacy and dignity for families experiencing the heartbreaking loss of a baby.

Emma Robertson, Head of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, said:

"We are incredibly grateful to Tony and the entire VINCI Building team for their determination, generosity and commitment to supporting local NHS services.

"Raising more than £6,600 through such a demanding challenge is a fantastic achievement, but what makes this partnership particularly special is the desire to understand the impact donations have on local people.

"It was wonderful to welcome the team to Leighton Hospital and show them some of the projects that have been made possible thanks to charitable support. From improving environments for patients living with dementia, to supporting families during the most difficult moments of their lives, every pound raised helps us make a real difference."

The charity supports projects across Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and community services that go above and beyond NHS funding, helping to enhance care, improve patient experience and invest in innovative equipment and facilities.

Tony Grindrod, Regional Director at VINCI Building, said:

"The Fan Dance was a significant challenge, but one that our team embraced wholeheartedly. We are proud to have raised this money for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity and to support the incredible work it does for local patients and families.

"Visiting Leighton Hospital and seeing these projects first-hand really brought home the difference charitable support makes. The stories behind each project were inspiring and reinforced why we wanted to support the charity."

The fundraising challenge is expected to be the first of a number of activities supporting the charity over the coming years, creating a lasting benefit for local communities alongside the construction of the new Leighton Hospital.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is a registered charity which supports the excellent work of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We do this by providing funding for state-of-the-art equipment, new facilities and all the added extras that make people's experience at our hospitals and in our community services the best it can be. We also provide funding for specialist training for Trust staff, which enhances their skills and helps them to provide even better care to their patients. We couldn't do any of this without the ongoing support, hard work and generosity of our local communities who donate to, and fundraise for, the charity.

Pictured - from left to right: Luke Bechelet Regional Estimator at VINCI Building, Megan Nurse Chair of Charity Trustees, Tony Grindrod Regional Director VINCI Building, Annette McGoff VINCI Building Marketing and Communications Manager, Emma Robertson Head of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity.