A HOSPITAL chaplain is swapping his Sunday service for a Sunday challenge this week, all in the name of charity.

Chris Girvan is preparing himself for a gruelling 96-mile marathon by walking the famous West Highland Way in Scotland.

The challenge, which starts on Sunday, will take Chris – a chaplain at Clatterbridge Hospital – across a variety of terrain from lowland moors and dense woodland to rolling hills and mountains.

“I have a real passion when it comes to walking. I’ve already completed the 84-miles of Hadrian’s Wall and the vast trek of Offa’s Dyke between Prestatyn and Chepstow but this will be something new for me,” said Chris, who will need to cover around 12 miles each day if he is to make it from Glasgow to Fort William by July 13.

After joining the hospital trust 18 months ago, Chris quickly heard about the Clatterbridge Hospitals League of Friends, an organisation benefiting patients receiving treatment and care at Clatterbridge Hospital and the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

This year, the League of Friends celebrates their 60th anniversary and since its launch in 1954, have raised more than £1 million.

Chris added: “Having seen first-hand some of the amazing work the League of Friends does, this was an ideal charity to choose and help for my walking challenge.

“It’s inspiring to know that this organisation has been raising funds to improve patient facilities for the past 60 years and this is my way of giving something back to them by saying thank you.”

Recent donations have gone towards helping NHS services based at Clatterbridge Hospital including a £50,000 state-of-the-art breast ultrasound scanner, soft play equipment for the Child Development Centre and specially designed uneven floor tiles to help patient rehabilitation at Wirral Limb Centre.

Ken Arnold, chair of the League of Friends, said the money raised by Chris will make a huge difference.

He said: “I would like to thank Chris for recognising the great work we do and wish him the best of luck in his forthcoming challenge.

“This is a very special year for the League of Friends, even more so that we have now raised over £1m since our launch 60 years ago.

“It’s extremely rewarding that the League is able to play a part in helping patients with their treatment and care, and we thank everyone who has donated money to us in the past and for those who continue to donate and raise funds.”

  • If you would like to sponsor Chris, donations are being accepted via the Chaplaincy Office at Clatterbridge Hospital or the Chaplaincy Office at Arrowe Park Hospital.