Watch as we find out about the charity fire walk for R Charity

A sponsored fire walk is taking place at Liverpool ONE on Tuesday from 5.30pm to raise money for R Charity and the new Royal Liverpool Hospital. We met one of the team from R Charity to find out how you can get involved and face the coals for a good cause. Plus read on to find out about the Mersey Mum who will be taking on the challenge to say thankyou to the Royal for the care they gave her.

Everyone is invited to take part or spectate as fearless fundraisers walk over 550 degrees hot coals for the new Royal.

Participants will arrive at 5.30pm and will be given an hour’s training to mentally prepare them for the walk, which starts at approximately 6pm. Fundraisers are expected to walk over coals at 7pm.

To find out more about this year’s firewalk, call 0151 706 3150 or visit www.facebook.com/rcharitylpool.

Meet the Mersey mum who will walk on fire to say thanks to NHS staff

A mum who spent almost two months in intensive care is walking over hot coals to show her gratitude to staff at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

40-year-old Victoria Threadgold will take part in R Charity’s firewalk to raise funds for the Critical Care Unit in the new Royal, after receiving life-saving treatment two years ago.

In August 2014, Victoria, a technical claims handler and mum of two from Allerton, started to feel unwell one day in work.

Victoria with husband Laurence and two children Jack and Lottie.

Victoria didn’t know it, but her bowel had burst. She was brought into the Royal over the weekend and following admission she was rushed for emergency treatment.

Victoria said: “I’ve been a patient at the Royal since 2008. I have Crohn’s disease, however I looked quite well for someone with a long-term condition.

“I remember coming into the hospital and everything else that happened up until about 10pm on the Saturday evening, but after that I took a turn for the worse.”

Victoria underwent surgery in the early hours to remove part of her bowel, but following her surgery, Victoria developed sepsis – a life-threatening blood condition that without immediate treatment, can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

She said: “The doctor said to my husband that we had to see if I made it through the night. It must have been a shock for him to see me go from being fit and well to life-threateningly ill within the space of 48 hours.”

Victoria was moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal, where she received specialist care from staff to help her recover.

Victoria spent 52 days in the Royal receiving treatment that saved her life. In this time Victoria’s weight dropped to as low as 6st 10lbs and required round the clock care – something she is extremely grateful for.

She said: “I think I’ve used every NHS service possible, from my regular Crohn’s treatment to the emergency care I received during what was a difficult and worrying time for my family.

“I owe a lot to the staff who saved my life. It was a long, long process, but I’m lucky to have made it through.

“My family told me just how dedicated the staff were during my time in intensive care.

“I’ve bumped into some of the nurses and consultants who looked after me. They ask how I’m getting on, which is really nice considering how many people they must treat.”

Victoria left hospital in October 2014 after almost two months of treatment and has since celebrated her 40^th birthday with family and friends, including her four-year-old son Jack and 10-year-old daughter Lottie.

She said: “We had a big party which was brilliant. Going through what I went through makes you realise how important the people who are around you are. But it’s something I wouldn’t have been around to see if things had gone differently.”

Following her recovery, Victoria wanted a way to show her appreciation to all the staff who cared for her and helped with her recovery.

She said: “I want to do my bit as my way of giving back to the staff. I saw the opportunity to sign up to a fire walk around bonfire night and thought I’d give it a go.

“I’ve told a few people about it and they think I’m mad! It’s a challenge, but I just want to say thank you.”

Victoria will take part in R Charity’s firewalk at Liverpool ONE on Tuesday 1 November to raise money for the Critical Care Unit in the new Royal, as part of their £10million Appeal.

You can donate to Victoria’s firewalk challenge at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Victoria-Threadgold.

To find out more about this year’s firewalk, call 0151 706 3150 or visit www.facebook.com/rcharitylpool.