There’s no stopping this walking wonder as 75-year-old Perla Gabuya from Bournemouth continues to turn steps to pounds for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity.

So far, Perla has raised more than £2,775.50 by completing her 5-mile charity walk in Hyde Park on Saturday 21 October. And not stopping there, she’s already planning to take on another charity walk on 14th September 2024. This walk will raise money for purchasing an additional CT scanner for the new BEACH building at Bournemouth Hospital.

By having an additional scanner, we'll be able to help:-

• reduce unnecessary overnight admissions so that patients can be discharged sooner.

• reduce ED waiting times, improving the experience for patients.

• preserve the dignity of acutely unwell patients by minimising transfers between departments.

• optimise the efficiency of our porters and nurses by freeing up valuable time previously spent on patient transfers.

• minimise delays and cancellations as an additional CT scanner could absorb excess demand if another scanner within the hospital is undergoing routine maintenance

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As a Mental Health Nurse in the community for over 25 years, she found her love for the NHS and for giving back but when did Perla’s passion for walking begin?

Sadly, in 2015, Perla was diagnosed with breast cancer and went on to have a mastectomy. Four years later she also had a craniotomy as her doctors found a tumour in her right ear. This led Perla to lose her hearing in her right ear.

While receiving treatment, she was determined to get herself well enough to go home to continue with her recovery. To do this she set herself the challenge each day to get up and walk just one step further than the day before. It started with just taking steps from her bed to the bathroom, to the end of the ward and so on.

It was from this moment on that her love for walking began.

Since then, Perla took a trek in the Amazon Jungle, hiked Machu Pichu, and crossed Bolivia by foot with her husband.

Perla said: “I love the NHS and I want to give back. It’s in your heart when you’re a nurse – you just want to help others! So, I thought what better way to celebrate my 75th birthday this year, than to walk for my local hospitals which coincidentally is the 75th birthday of the NHS.”

“After always helping people, I know I can do more to support more nurses like me and more patients like me! I want to do something unforgettable and hope as many people will support me as much as possible.”

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Perlas next walk on the 14th September, will be helping University Hospitals Dorset new BEACH building. All funds raised will help fundraise for an additional CT scanner.