On the 27th July 2025 I will be participating in the Tough Mudder Yorkshire 15k event. I will be raising money for Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Charity in memory of my late Grandad George who passed on Christmas Day 2024.

George Hartley, who was 75, was battling pneumonia the week prior to his passing. We were informed that he would have been released from hospital on the 29th December which at the time was good but frustrating as it meant he would be in there for Christmas, however looking back we would do anything for him to come out of hospital healthy.

In the early hours of the morning on Christmas Day, my Grandma was informed that my Grandad had a panic attack and had been moved on to a ventilator whilst in a coma. The nurses ensured to my Grandma and Dad that this could benefit my Grandad as it means he can get all the medication he needs while being in a relaxed state. So with that news we started celebrating our Christmas Day as best as we could until the afternoon as my Grandad suffered a heart attack. Following that news, myself, my dad and grandma rushed to hospital where we were informed by the nurses that it looked like my Grandad would not survive this and that we should sit around him in what looked to be his final moments. We sat there by his side all afternoon and evening waiting for a miracle and despite my Grandad fighting hard, he did not get any better. The main issue was that he had fibrosis which we were unaware about and had not been treated for which made it even more difficult along with the heart attack he suffered. We were then told by the doctors that he was not going to get any better and asked if we were comfortable with them to slow down the medication and as hard as decision it was, we said yes.

In his final moments my Grandma went up to him and told my Grandad to stop fighting. No longer than a minute after my grandma said this, the doctors came in to say that he had passed away.

George was a friendly and great man but he was also an amazing Grandad who will be missed hugely by all his friends and family.

The money raised for this will be going to Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Charity. This is because we know how hard of job they have and especially during the festive period. All the doctors and nurses that helped treat George from when he first went into the hospital right until the end were very helpful and the tried their very best to make my Grandad better. Especially on Christmas Day they were keeping us up to date on all the actions they were taking and trying to help us stay positive, even though it may also be a struggle for them being away from family and loved ones during the festive period.

More information about LANCASHIRE TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHARITY: The Charity aims to enhance the services provided by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through raising funds and investing in world class research, treatment and outstanding care.