A former patient who embarked upon a running challenge to raise money for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at St Andrew’s has completed her task.

Emma, who was discharged from the Northampton hospital in June 2021, announced at the beginning of January that she intended to run more than 250km in a month to thank St Andrew’s for helping her.

The distance represented how far her parents had to travel each time they went to visit her in hospital.

Emma, 17, said: “I did it! On Monday, January 31, I ran the last 3km of my 250km. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated, has read or viewed this 'journey’.

“I don't really have much else to say apart from thank you for all the support and lovely messages I received, they mean so much to me. I know £500 is not anywhere near enough to significantly change much within a hospital as big as St Andrews, but that was never really the point.

“If I could, I would run 250k every month for the rest of my life to raise enough money to help improve peoples' lives, rather than just a small part of their hospital experience. However, the blisters and bruises I've had from just a month, tell me that that would be unrealistic.”

Emma set out to raise money that could be spent on keeping the young people on the wards occupied at weekends.

She said: “When I was at St Andrew’s we’d all get bored at the weekend when the Occupational Therapy teams weren’t in. It’s hard being away from home and being in hospital, so I thought the money I raise could be used to fund activities the patients may want to do at the weekend, like baking and colouring.”

Dale Goodacre, Head of Nursing for CAMHS, said: “We’re thrilled at Emma’s recovery and so proud to see her doing so well since being discharged from our care. Running 250km in a month is extremely impressive and we would like to take the opportunity to thank her for her time, dedication and running capabilities which has raised us funds which will be spent on weekend activities for our young patients.”

For anyone who would like to donate to Emma’s cause, click here.