Run to Heal: Help me pay medical bills for 50-100 kids.

My name is Edidiong, and I am a nurse working for Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. I have always been passionate about helping children and families in need, particularly those who cannot afford the medical care they desperately require.

This passion has inspired me to take on an incredible challenge: my first-ever 5K run on 7th December 2024 alongside 'Mental Elf Fun Run South Yorkshire 2024 ', followed by two 5K runs in January and February 2025, and then—because apparently three 5Ks weren’t enough—I’m going to attempt a 10K run in March 2025. Yes, you read that right—a 10K! For someone who previously thought running was only necessary when being chased, this is a big leap. But it’s all for a cause close to my heart: raising £3,000 to £5,000 to support children at the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria, who are unable to pay for essential medical treatment.

Why This Cause Matters to Me:

This mission is deeply personal to me because I am originally from Ikot Ekpene, a small but vibrant community in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Known as the “Raffia City” for its rich cultural heritage in raffia weaving and crafts, Ikot Ekpene is a town with immense potential. However, like many rural areas in Nigeria, it struggles with poverty, limited access to healthcare, and a fragile local economy heavily reliant on agriculture and small-scale trade.

For many families in Ikot Ekpene, daily life is a constant challenge. Parents often work tirelessly to provide for their children, but with low wages and high unemployment rates, medical emergencies become insurmountable financial burdens. A recent report by UNICEF highlights that over 55% of Nigerian children live in multidimensional poverty, lacking access to healthcare, education, and clean water. This reality is even more pronounced in rural areas like Ikot Ekpene, where healthcare facilities are often underfunded and overcrowded.

During my father’s final days in the hospital, I witnessed firsthand the immense struggles of families in my hometown. While my family was fortunate to afford his treatment, I saw parents selling their last belongings—farmland, tools, or even homes—to try and pay for their children’s medical care. Despite these efforts, many children went without treatment. I vividly recall seeing children in need of oxygen left untreated because their parents could not pay for it, leading to preventable deaths.

This is the heartbreaking reality for many families in Ikot Ekpene. The General Hospital, which has served the community for over a century, remains a critical lifeline but is overwhelmed by demand and constrained by limited resources. Without intervention, these families face impossible choices that no parent should have to make.

This fundraiser is my way of giving back to the community that raised me. It’s a way to honour my father’s memory and to ensure that no child is left to suffer because their family cannot afford basic medical care. Together, we can provide hope and healing to these children, easing their parents’ burdens and giving them a chance to grow, learn, and thrive.

How Your Support Will Help:

The funds raised will directly contribute to:

- Paying off hospital bills for children detained in the hospital.

- Purchasing oxygen cylinders and other lifesaving equipment.

- Covering essential medications and treatment costs.

Your generosity will help alleviate suffering, give hope, and ensure these children receive the care they need to survive.

How You Can Get Involved:

My Goal:

I aim to raise £3,000 to £5,000 by March 2025, but I can’t do it without your help. Together, we can put smiles on the faces of these children and bring relief to their families.

Thank You:

Your kindness and support mean the world to me. May God bless you richly for your generosity and compassion. Together, we can make a difference, one step—and one child—at a time.

Thank you for joining me on this journey of hope and healing!

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:4