Knowsley Santa Walk

Festive fun in aid of a ‘good claus’ came to Knowsley this week, when local residents took to the streets for a 1mile Santa walk.

The residents, dressed in Santa hats, festive costumes and special t-shirts, were all cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital’s community services, and completed the route to raise awareness of both conditions.

The patients were joined on the day by Mayor of Knowsley, Brian O’Hare, who wished the Santas ‘good luck’ and set them on their way around King George V Playing Fields.

Elaine Gossage, Lead Nurse and Community Services Manager at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, said: “All the patients who took part in the walk are either currently completing or have completed a rehabilitation programme for either COPD or CVD. Therefore for so many of our patients to complete the one mile circuit was a tremendous achievement!” 

She added: “For the past 2-3 years, we have been working in partnership with Knowsley CCG to improve access to cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease services for people living in Knowsley.

“Patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and the services that we provide enable them to receive high quality, specialist care close to their home.” 

After the walk, all participants returned to the Knowsley Health and Culture Park for hot drinks, mince pies and raffle prizes, with the money raised being used to further support patient care.