999 dash with Tim Farron MP

10.13.14am GMT Wed 26th Mar 2008

Local MP Tim Farron is planning to run and cycle the 24 mile route from the Langdale Valley to Westmorland General Hospital on Saturday 29 March to raise funds for the NHS SOS Campaign against the downgrading of acute services at the hospital. The Campaign group is attempting to raise funds in order to legally challenge the decision to close the heart and stroke units at Westmorland General Hospital.

Mr Farron will begin his bike ride at the Council car park near the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Langdale at midday and aims to arrive at Wheelbase in the Staveley Mill Yard, Staveley at around 1.30pm. He will then begin his run and aims to arrive at the Bird Cage at the top of Finkle Street in Kendal at 3pm where there will be representatives from the NHS SOS Group collecting money. From there Mr Farron will run to Westmorland General Hospital, aiming to arrive before 4pm.

27,000 people signed the petition against the ward closures and it is hoped that many local people will donate money to help the legal challenge to save emergency services at Kendal. People wishing to donate should make cheques payable to Westmorland Heart and Soul, and send them c/o The Treasurer to High House, Chapel Lane, Crook, Kendal, LA8 9HT.

Ahead of the task, Tim Farron said:

"It won't be easy to complete the 24 mile journey from Langdale to the Hospital, but I hope in doing so we can raise a significant amount of money. We chose this route because people living in the Langdales - like many in our area - will face impossibly long journeys to hospital if the services at Kendal close. Our journey will help to draw attention to the fact that so many of our local communities are such a long way from hospital and that lives would be put at risk by making people travel even further. I would urge people to get to the Birdcage on Saturday and donate generously!

"The campaign is as strong as ever but to continue the fight we need the constant support of local people."