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Gearing up to tackle an epic ultra marathon to boost funds for a local charity supporting intensive care patients and their families is Peterborough nurse Asher Cooper.

Asher, who works as a nursing associate in the Emergency Department at Peterborough City Hospital, will be taking on the 50km Boudicca Way Ultra Marathon in Norwich next month.

As well as setting herself a personal goal, Asher is also hoping to raise as much money as possible for the new Peterborough branch of the national ICU Steps charity – following her family’s own trauma of having a loved one in intensive care.

 

Asher said: “My Dad fell ill in December and unfortunately ended up peri-arresting. He was admitted to ITU and intubated. Having the consultants sit me, my mum and my brother down and tell us to say our goodbyes was the most heart breaking thing I’ve ever gone through.

“To help cope, and to stop myself staring at four walls, I started running. I’d signed up for the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April, and training became my way of managing everything emotionally while Dad was in intensive care.”

Thankfully, Asher’s Dad, retired paramedic Alan Cooper, is now recovering well at home.

 

The Cooper Family, Asher, mum Angela (a retired nurse), dad Alan and dog Poppy

Asher added: “Without the team in ITU Peterborough, my dad wouldn’t be here today. I’m incredibly grateful, and proud to be supporting ICU Steps and raising awareness of just how much this kind of support can mean for families like mine.

“I ended up falling in love with running and now I’ve decided to push myself even further with this ultra marathon - and doing it for such an amazing charity is what keeps me going.”

ICU Steps is a charity run by ICU survivors and their families - supported by North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust staff - to connect with people who are recovering from time spent in intensive care. 

The Peterborough group will be one of the first in the region, set up by SLT lead for Critical Care Olivia Hallam, ICU rehab sister Ros Rippon, a former patient, Gareth Price, and his wife Carole.

Olivia explained: “We hope this group will be a real asset to the community. ICU steps Peterborough is an informal get-together for Critical Care patients, families and friends that is organised by a group of patients, relatives and staff and welcomes anyone who has been through Critical Care whether as a patient, relative or friend.

“The group is about patients helping other patients though their recovery by sharing past and current experiences. Any funds raised are used to pay for the operational costs of the group, including venue hire, insurance, tea and coffee etc.”

Asher has just a few more weeks of training before the event on July 19 – and is focussed on a balance of long runs, rest and careful diet: “I am out almost everyday, whether that be walking or running. My job means I am always on my feet which isn’t a problem, but being able to do it for that long takes a lot of training and commitment.”

If you would like to support Asher, please visit her fundraising page: https://gofund.me/a7efba2f