Family and friends of a theatre nurse from Hull have raised more than £7,000 in her memory after scaling the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Pauline Thornton, 62, worked for Hull University Teaching Hospitals for 42 years until her sudden death from a brain haemorrhage in February this year.
A nurse since 1984, Pauline dedicated her life to helping others. Her kindness continued beyond her lifetime, as she donated her heart, kidneys, and liver, helping four people to live on.
Her family, friends and colleagues including daughter Claire, who wore her mum’s walking boots, son Joe and niece Jennifer, climbed Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough on August 22 to raise funds for NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Charity and Hull Help for Refugees, where Pauline volunteered to support people seeking safety, dignity and a better future.
They also bolstered their fundraising efforts with Family Fun Day Charity Fundraiser event at the Cross Keys in Cottingham.
In a statement after completing the challenge, Pauline’s family said: “We are overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received. It’s clear that Mum touched so many lives throughout her life.
“Having us all come together in her memory to raise such an incredible amount and much needed awareness for such important causes means a lot to us. The challenge itself was a tough one, but Mum’s legacy, along with the amazing support from everyone, helped us get through it. I know she would have been so proud.
“While we miss her every single day, we hope that through this fundraiser and by sharing her story, Mum’s kindness and legacy will continue to live on, and continue to help others.”
The family’s fundraising appeal with continue to November in an effort to raise as much money for the two charities as possible in Pauline’s memory. You can search the ‘The Three Peaks for Pauline Challenge’ on the GiveWheel website or use this link to make a donation.
The family’s fundraising efforts come as Hull prepares to mark Organ Donation Week, which runs from Monday, September 21 to Sunday, September 27.
Landmarks in Hull City Centre will glow pink as part of a national campaign to encourage people to consider organ donation in the event of their death.
Hull Royal Infirmary will also light up parts of the hospital grounds including the gardens and the walkway between Hull Women and Children’s Hospital and the main tower block as part of a national appeal to light up buildings in pink during Organ Donation Awareness Week.
The team of specialist nurses, who support families through the process of organ donation following the deaths of loved ones, will also arrange for the organ donation flag to fly outside the main entrance.
Helen Russell, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation, said: “Flying the flag is a way of us remembering all the people who have donated organs to help people live.
“We know that there are still so many people waiting for transplants which can transform or even save their lives so lighting up buildings and flying our flag is a good way of spreading the message to consider donation.”
Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk to register your decision if you wish to donate your organs in the event of your death so your loved ones know your wishes.
