World Heart Day – Nordic Walking for Papworth Hospital Charity
On Sunday 25th September 2011, Nordic Walking Cambridgeshire supported Papworth Hospital Charity with 18 Nordic Walkers joining in on the “World Heart Day” walk. The walkers could take part in either a 6 mile or 9 mile walk. More than 450 people Walked, Nordic Walked, Jogged or Cycles their way around Grafham Water reservoir in the autumn sunshine to raise fund for life-saving equipment at Papworth Hospital. Dr Sarah Clarke, consultant cardiologist at Papworth Hospital, thanked everyone for attending and encouraged them to join in the warm-ups led by Mervyn Foster of Nordic Walking Cambridgeshire. After finishing the walk we all stayed together for a team picnic.
The walk was to raise money for an Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) which is a life saving device that helps to decrease the workload of the heart and increase blood flow to the rest of the body. IABP’s are used to treat acutely ill patients who have suffered a heart attack, heart failure or those who are awaiting surgery; they can be used for several days, allowing the patient’s heart time to rest and heal.
