Wow, what a year it's been.

Little did we know in early March 2020 just how much an upcoming Coronavirus pandemic would completely turn all our worlds completely upside down.

Over the last twelve months we all know that special somebody in our lives who has  fallen ill and in their greatest hour of need required help from the most selfless workforce our country has ever known.

Every NHS worker from the nurses, doctors, surgeons, consultants, receptionists, administrative staff, care workers, cleaners, and many more have all put their lives on the line for us, worked ridiculously long hours, and I cannot even begin to contemplate the trauma that will have been experienced. Never has so much been given by so few for so many, certainly within our lifetimes.

I was so inspired by the scenes of Captain Tom walking up and down his garden, his fundraising efforts, and so moved by his tragic passing that I wanted to be able to do something for the NHS services where I live, specifically the North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust.

I have, perhaps foolishly, given myself a personal target of running 2000 miles by the end of 2021. That's 40 miles a week which takes into account  a 2 week break should I catch COVID-19 and need to self isolate or become too ill to use the treadmill. I am not an experienced long distance runner but I am working hard to keep to my targets and make sure my government sanctioned daily exercise is put to good use. Hopefully between us all we can find £1 for every mile I run.

Without talking Teesside down, all of us who live here in the North East  know that we have complex health needs and some areas unfortunately obtain some of the country's largest health inequalities and widest life expectancy gaps that this crisis will have no doubt have impacted further.

As much as I have enjoyed clapping for our heroes, with your help and generosity we can give so much more back to the beating heart of our nation.

Every penny spent at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Charitable Fund is used to enhance patient care by buying the latest cutting edge equipment and facilities to make patient experiences more comfortable and ensure all staff are properly supported.

I know times are very hard, and the economy is in difficult shape but if you have a spare bit of money you can afford to part with, no matter how small, it would mean the world to me.

Take care and stay safe,

Ben Lamb.