Eva Curless spent her early 20's with chronic back and leg pain, on some days struggling to do the most basic of tasks. In January 2022, physiotherapy, spinal injections, and a seven-hour spinal fusion surgery at Salford Royal Hospital transformed her life.
Recovering from the surgery, where her spine was stabilised with screws, rods and a titanium cage, was tough for Eva, but she set herself the goal of climbing a mountain in 2023. This June, she is going one step further and will be attempting the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the tallest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in 24 hours – once of the toughest hiking challenges in the UK.
“I don't have enough words to thank the NHS for what they have done for me, so I'm taking on a challenge to raise funds for NorthCare Charity, the official charity of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust”, said Eva.
“The money raised will allow me to give back to the Spinal Unit at Salford Royal so they can care for other patients with spinal conditions and injuries, as well as funding the UK’s first hybrid major trauma theatre, The RAPTOR, at the new Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital.”
Eva’s challenge will see her walking 26 miles of uneven terrain, some of it in the dark, at a 10,000ft incline. In preparation, she has already completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, a total of 25 miles at a 4,500ft incline.
“After my surgery, things like turning over in bed, sitting up and taking small steps were a challenge and required a great deal of help. But I've been training for ten months now, working hard at physiotherapy, in the gym and going for long walks.”
“Eva’s recovery is an amazing achievement and we’re so proud to be supporting her to take on this incredible fundraising challenge”, said Jess Pollard, Community Fundraising Manager for NorthCare Charity.
“We’re cheering her on all the way and want to encourage anyone who’d like to give back to the staff who care for them across the Trust, to contact us and start their fundraising journey today!”
“Everyone within our team at the MCCN is so grateful to Eva for thinking of our department when taking on this fundraising challenge", said Mr Ahmed Abou-Zeid, Consultant Neurosurgeon.
"We normally only get to meet our patients when they leave the hospital for medical check-ups, so it was a real pleasure for me to be able to catch up with Eva out of an appointment setting to thank her for fundraising to support our work and find out more about her training and epic 3 peak challenge.”
For more information on NorthCare Charity, visit northcarecharity.org. To find out more about Eva’s challenge and donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/eva-curless10.