Children living with cystic fibrosis (CF) often spend long hours in hospital, undergoing repeated tests and treatments that can become increasingly distressing over time.
Due to the risk of cross-infection, they are unable to mix with other children who have the condition, making hospital visits a lonely experience. Many face a demanding daily routine of chest physiotherapy, complex medication and frequent clinical appointments — from infancy through to their teenage years and into adulthood.
At Leighton Hospital, part of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team sees first-hand the emotional and physical impact this has on children and their families.
Now, the team is taking action.
On 16th and 17th May, they will walk the full 34-mile Sandstone Trail, crossing three counties and tackling challenging terrain, to raise funds through Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity.
Their goal is to fund specialist equipment that goes beyond standard NHS provision — including a child-friendly spirometer (lung function machine) — designed to improve both care and the patient experience.
The new equipment will:
- Provide immediate, more detailed insight into lung health
- Enable more accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment
- Help reduce anxiety by making tests more engaging and child-friendly
- Support a more positive hospital experience overall
The Paediatric CF Team supports children from birth through to their transition to adult services at around age 17, building long-term relationships with patients and their families.
Sarajane Herbert, Therapy Assistant, from the Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team at Leighton Hospital, said:
“We see incredibly brave children every day who face treatments and tests that don’t get any easier with time. Our goal is not only to provide the very best clinical care, but to make their experience less frightening and more supportive.
This equipment will help us better understand each child’s lung health in real time, so we can tailor treatment more precisely — but just as importantly, it will help children feel more comfortable and confident during their visits. That can make a lasting difference to how they cope with their condition.”
Emma Robertson, Head of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, said:
“This is exactly how we make a difference as an NHS charity — by funding equipment that goes beyond what the NHS can provide, improving both the accuracy of diagnosis and the experience of our patients.
We’re incredibly proud to support the Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team and the young people they care for. We wish them the very best of luck with their challenge and will be cheering them on every step of the way.”
In the UK, approximately 1 in every 2,500 babies is born with cystic fibrosis, a life-long condition affecting the lungs and digestive system.
By taking on this challenge, the team hopes to raise vital funds and ensure children living with CF feel less fearful, more supported, and better understood during their hospital journey.