Staff from the Cardiac Rehabilitation team at Macclesfield District General Hospital set the pace last month as they completed their annual sponsored walk in its 30th year.

The annual walk first began in 1992, after a patient set themselves a goal to raise some money as a thank you to the staff who had treated him.

Joined by patients and their friends and family, staff took on the six-mile route on Middlewood Way in a bid to raise monies to fund additional equipment for their service.

The team, based at Macclesfield District General Hospital, have carried on his work and although the challenge had to be suspended for three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have walked every year since then.

Paula Spray, Cardiac Rehabilitation Lead Nurse at East Cheshire NHS Trust, said: "'It was fabulous to see some of our patients and their family and friends who joined us on our annual Cardiac Rehab Walk.

"It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for a six-and-a-half mile walk along the Middlewood Way. The walk has remained a huge success and this year was its 30th.

"The walk highlights all the benefits of keeping active and since 2015 alone has raised just over £23,339, which will support us purchasing additional equipment for the service. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the walk."

The charity is based in Macclesfield Hospital.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation team look after patients who have had heart attacks, heart surgery or procedures and those who live with the long-term condition of heart failure. The department promotes patient recovery and works alongside you to restore you to as full a life as possible following a diagnosis of coronary heart disease.

East Cheshire NHS Charity goes above and beyond standard Government funding to make your local NHS that extra special. From supporting staff health and wellbeing to providing toys to brighten up our young patients' days to making long stay patients feel more at home – their mission is to make a visible difference. They raise funds to support Macclesfield District General Hospital, Knutsford Community Hospital, Congleton War Memorial Hospital and a range of community services.

If you'd like to take part in an event to support your local NHS Charity visit, this link or get in touch with the fundraising team on [email protected].