Megan Little and Chris Rowsell. They are wearing orange East Kent Hospitals Charity t-shirts with medals round their necks and are smiling at the camera in a selfie pose.

Couple’s charity challenge to make wishes come true for critical care patients

A site manager working at the William Harvey Hospital is taking on a series of running challenges to raise money for a project benefiting patients there.

Chris Rowsell is one of the site managers for Bauvill on the emergency department expansion project and, together with his partner Megan Little, aims to complete six different challenges for East Kent Hospitals Charity, for the 3 Wishes Project in the critical care department.

The project grants ‘wishes’ to patients at the end of their lives, giving people the chance to reflect on their lives and identify what matters most to them; whether spending precious time with loved ones or creating meaningful moments and memories in those last hours and days.

The project is funded entirely by donations to East Kent Hospitals Charity, including from Bauvill who have chosen it as their charity of the year.

Chris, 38, said: “The challenge combines our love of running and our love of helping others in our communities, and we want to raise awareness of the fantastic work the teams are doing at the hospital as well as raising as much money as possible.

“I first heard about the project when I attended a charity dinner organised by Bauvill and I was so impressed with the impact it has on patients and their families.

“Megan and I raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society last year, which is a cause close to her heart, so this year we decided to support the 3 Wishes Project.”

The couple, who live in Maidstone, have already completed their first challenge, a 10k race at Bewl Water, and are planning to take on other challenges including half marathons, a mountain run in Spain, and ending with the Bewl Water marathon in October.

Chris said: “We have a passion for fitness and run regularly but these events will be a real challenge – I have done one marathon before but it will be Megan’s first.

“It works out as the equivalent of five full marathons which is quite a daunting thought but we are determined to complete it and raise lots of money so the team can continue with their work and make a real difference to their patients.”

You can add to their sponsorship at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/3wishesprojectpilgrimshospices

The money will be split between the 3 Wishes Project and Pilgrims Hospices and the pair hope to raise £1,000 for each.