Ambulance service worker's triathlon for charity
A WELSH Ambulance Service worker is taking on this year’s Llanrwst Sprint Triathlon to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Tanyia Astbury, 44, an Emergency Medical Technician based in Dobshill, Flintshire, will be swimming 400m, cycling 24km and running 5km this Sunday.
Taniya’s son Benjamin was born at 28 weeks in April 2014, Tanyia and her husband Steve spent 11 months with Benjamin in hospital, with the Ronald McDonald House Charities providing the couple with free accommodation for the duration of his hospital stay.
Tanyia said: “Benjamin was born via an emergency C-section at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, weighing only one pound and three ounces.
“We were quickly transferred to Liverpool Women’s Hospital for six months before being transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for five months.
“During that time, Benjamin spent a lot of time in the Intensive Therapy Unit and had five cardiac arrests, multiple bowel issues and operations.
“If it wasn’t for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, I’m not sure how we would have afforded to be with Benjamin every step of the way.
“They were a complete lifesaver.
“They gave us a room and later upgraded us to a flat because Benjamin was there for so long.
“They even made us Christmas dinner.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities provide a free and welcoming place to stay, available to families with children being treated at partnered NHS hospitals.
Tanyia continued: “Benjamin is doing really well now and has made massive strides.
“He does suffer with epilepsy and is non-verbal, but he can now walk on his own.
“For us, he has made major progress and is such a happy boy, which is all we wanted.
“The Ronald McDonald House Charities were just such a good support, as travelling from Wales to Liverpool would have been horrendous for us.
“There were times we would get called in the middle of the night because he had an arrest, so with their help we were literally able to run across to the hospital.
“I’m so happy I can fundraise for them, as any kind of money we can raise can hopefully help someone else in need.
“Since having Benjamin, both my husband and I set challenges, so we have something to focus on and I thought why not do a triathlon.
“This will be my first and although I could swim, my front crawl was horrendous, so I’ve had to re-teach myself that with the help of my husband as he’s done triathlons before.
“I’m really nervous but am looking forward to it.”
On the day, Tanyia will be joined by Steve, Benjamin and a few friends, including Benjamin’s Aunty Karen Neville the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Operations Manager in Llanrwst and Laurence Neville Quality and Infection Control Manager for the Trust.
You can sponsor Tanyia and help support the Ronald McDonald House Charities via her JustGiving page here.
Editor’s Notes
For more information, please call Communications Officer Beth Eales on 07870 383209 or email Beth.Eales@wales.nhs.uk