Fundraising
Doctors in Distress is incredibly grateful to everyone who fundraises for the charity.
We could not continue our lifesaving work without your support. We are almost entirely reliant on your donations and do not receive any Government funding.
Please consider donating today by clicking here Doctors in Distress – JustGiving
If you’d like to organise an event or work for an organisation who’d like to support us and need some support, please send an email to contact@doctors-in-distress.org.uk
Past Fundraising Activities:
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, a senior business analyst with VitalHub UK, embarked on an epic trek to Everest Base Camp, at a staggering 18,240ft, to raise funds.
This tough challenge began on 7 April and Joseph, and his partner’s father Pete, walked for around 7-8 hours per day, covering 80-100 miles in total.
VHUK chose Doctors in Distress as one of their charity partners of the year.
The money raised by Joseph, around £500, will be divided between Doctors in Distress and Dementia UK. Thank you for your support!
Raykal Sim
Doctor Raykal Sim ran the London Marathon on 27 April to raise money for our charity.
Raykal said she began running to help with her mental health after struggling with anxiety and depression since becoming a doctor.
She said: “Without the help I received during my own difficult times, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
She raised a brilliant £780. Thank you!
Emma Whiting
Emma, a resident doctor, took part in the Manchester Marathon on 27th April to raise funds for our charity.
Emma said: “Working in healthcare can be really tough. As a resident doctor, I’ve experienced first-hand how pressures at work can quickly impact your whole wellbeing.
“I’m passionate about making sure nobody has to deal with this alone, and Doctors in Distress is doing a fantastic job of supporting us.”
Pippa Woolner
GP Pippa and her son walked 20km along the North Norfolk coast on 17 April to support our Every Minute Of Every Day appeal.
Pippa said she wanted to fundraise for our charity as she is passionate about supporting those who care for us when we are sick.
She said: “I want to support Doctors in Distress is because I find it so shocking that every 3 weeks in this country we lose a doctor to suicide and feel that more needs to be done to support our healthcare workforce. Working in the NHS is a huge privilege, but it can also take its toll.”
Pippa’s total was around £1200. We are so grateful!
5k A Day
Resident doctor and Doctors in Distress Ambassador, Ed Hutchison, ran at least 5k every day of 2024 in hospital scrubs to raise money for our charity. From September, Ed steadily increased the lengths of his runs and culminated in a marathon on New Year’s Eve. Ed, who lives near Bristol, discovered our charity through Adam Kay’s work and believes we do vital work to protect the mental health of healthcare workers. His challenge raised more than £10,000.
Three Peaks Challenge
In August 2024, Dr Kamal Sidhu and a group of fellow medical professionals took on the Three Peaks Challenge. The NHS Crew, as they were known, walked the UK’s three highest mountains- Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales, to raise funds for Doctors in Distress. Their efforts raised a brilliant £15,000, which helped fund our vital work to protect the mental health of all healthcare workers.
5K in May
In May 2024, Doctors in Distress held its fourth annual fundraiser called 5K in May to support the mental wellbeing of our healthcare workers.
The challenge was to complete a 5k during the month of May and dozens of fundraisers supported us in different ways, either by swimming, cycling, running, walking and even bootcamps.
The theme was ‘One Step Forward’, both in terms of participants taking that one step in their 5k journey and also encouraging healthcare professionals to take that step towards seeking support for their mental health.
We were delighted to raise more than £8,000 which will all go towards funding vital services to prevent suicide and protect the mental health of all healthcare workers.
A Marathon A Month
One of our Trustees, Professor Subodh Dave, ran at least a marathon a month from January 2024 to June 2024, in aid of Doctors in Distress. Subodh is no stranger to these incredible feats, having previously cycled the Channel to Mediterranean in just over a week, and completed the Berlin marathon in under three hours.
He ran more than 1100 miles throughout his epic challenge, which finished in South Africa at the 54-mile Comrades race. The hilly route is the equivalent of running up Snowdon twice, and once back down.
Subodh, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, raised an incredible £11,000.