Charity bed push

Derek Buckley, 2 students, Stuart Potter lecturer and student

A local man is pushing his bed all the way to Southport.

On Saturday 20 July, Derek Buckley will be undertaking a charity bed push with the aim of raising money for the two hospices that looked after his father.

The bed push starts at 7.00am and it will be travelling through Heywood, Bury, Bolton, Wigan, Skelmersdale, Burscough, and Ormskirk. They aim to be arriving at Southport the following day at about 8.00pm.

Derek’s father died of cancer in 2010 after staying first in the Springhill Hospice and then being transferred to Queenscourt Hospice to be closer to his family. Derek wants to give something back because of the way in which both hospices treated his father.

Derek says the compassion the hospices showed to his father made him feel more comfortable: “They often went the extra mile for him. 

“The Government fund 20% for each hospice so they rely heavily on private funding, I’m aiming to raise over £9,000 so more beds are made available in both hospices.

“To function properly at the moment they need £500 a day for each bed.”

The bed, donated by Poundstretchers in Rochdale courtesy of Kelly Bracegirdle, has been adapted by Derek's co-students and tutors at Hopwood Hall College. 

The Thank You Bed Push Team is made up of family members, friends, companies and various other individuals who have selflessly given their time and help.