A nurse will live tweet his run of the Liverpool marathon to raise funds for the Cavell Nurses’ Trust.
Joan Pons Laplana, telehealth clinical lead at NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit, will run the marathon on 29 May. Mr Pons Laplana is asking organisations to sponsor a mile as he tweets his journey. Independent Nurse and its sister title British Journal of Nursing have sponsored miles 18 and six respectively.
‘Charities and union benevolent funds have seen a steady increase in nurses seeking financial aid and even help with basic necessities in recent years,’ said Mr Pons Laplana. ‘A lot of frontline health workers are only one pay cheque away from poverty.’
Mr Pons Laplana was inspired to raise money when his marriage broke down and he nearly became homeless due to monetary difficulties. However, the RCN’s benevolent fund, which provides financial assistance to current and former nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, helped him to continue nursing.
‘I know how stressful it is to have to choose between paying the electricity bill, or buying food today,’ he said. ‘Then you get a letter from the landlord to say rent is due, and it’s very easy to get into debt problems. I decided one day I will help other nurses who are going through financial hardship like me. That day has arrived.’
At the time of print, he had raised £1805. Supporters can donate to his JustGiving page or sponsor a mile for £50.
The Cavell Nurses’ Trust is a charity which helps nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and students who are going through financial hardship. In 2015, they helped over 1300 nurses who encountered financial difficulty.
To donate to Mr Pons Laplana’s fundraising, visit: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/run-joan-run or