On the 14^th May 2020, Lucy Young, from Brighouse turned 57 and decided to take on a unique fundraising challenge to celebrate her birthday, to complete 57 reps of exercise each day for a whole year.

Lucy, a doting mum and grandma already leads a very fit and healthy lifestyle, and before lockdown enjoyed cross fit at her local community gym, CrossFit HX5.

To mark her 57^th year, Lucy wanted to take on an endurance challenge to raise funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity and give something back to her local NHS hospitals.

Lucy was inspired to fundraise after seeing first-hand the amazing support her family friend’s daughter Kayleigh was given on ward 52 at Leeds Children’s Hospital when she was just 13 years old.

Kayleigh was rushed into hospital with meningitis and doctors discovered an abscess on her brain. Thanks to the efforts of the staff on the ward, Kayleigh’s life was saved and she could return home to her family after five weeks. Kayleigh, 29, now works as a Sister on the same ward where she was cared for 16 years ago.

Lucy says, “I’ve always wanted to give something back to the ward that saved Kayleigh’s life and with everything that happened in 2020 I knew that the staff would need my support more than ever. I’ve never fundraised before and at first I was scared I’d taken on too much, although this challenge is physically tough one but it’s nothing compared to the emotional turmoil that Kayleigh and her family went through.”

The dedicated fundraiser has taken to social media to share her daily efforts with friends and family, from 57 burpees, to deadlifts, squats, push ups and more!

To mark the halfway point of her challenge on the 14^th November 2020, Lucy encouraged friends and family to join in and try and complete 57 reps in their own home.

Kayleigh said, “Lucy and her family were so supportive at a really scary time for me and my family, and we’re still so close now. My own experience in hospital inspired me to work at my local hospital and I want to help other children and their families going through the same traumatic time my family did. I joined in with the challenge to mark the halfway point and just one day was hard enough for me – what she’s doing is incredible!”

Lucy now has 99 days left to go of her challenge and has so far raised a phenomenal £1,255 for Leeds Hospitals Charity to support ward 52 at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

You can support Lucy by donating to her fundraising page here