A GP surgery based at Alton Health Centre organised a five-mile sponsored walk to raise funds for kidney patient care.

The Wilson Practice raised £1,123 to two very important organisationwhich it recently gave to Alton-based charity Kidney Care UK (formerly The British Kidney Patient Association) and the Wessex Renal Unit based at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

The walk was inspired by the bravery and fortitude of Amy, daughter of practice receptionist Teresa Alexander, who sadly lost her 27-year battle against kidney disease last autumn.

Presenting the money to the, managing partner Dr Andy Fellows said that the whole practice had been conscious of the challenges Amy had faced since being diagnosed with kidney problems as a little girl. He reflected on her courage and that of her family, and how a sense of humour and a determination to help others had characterised even some of the darkest times.

“We can all learn from Amy’s approach,” he said, “and we felt that a sponsored walk was a great way to allow everyone to reflect in their own way, and enable us all to put a little bit back.”

Before their circuit of Chawton and Farringdon, on one of the first sunny days of the year, the walkers, including Wilson Practice GPs, staff, retired staff and some of Amy’s family and friends, were treated to refreshments from Cassandra’s Cup tea rooms and thanked by Amy’s mum, Teresa, who spoke movingly about the difference the money would make for kidney patients and their families. Amy had been a patient at Queen Alexandra Hospital for many years and it was hoped that the money raised for the Wessex Renal Unit would be put towards equipment that would allow more patients to have kidney dialysis in their own homes.

Teresa also paid tribute to the support, advice and information that the family had received over the years from Kidney Care UK and highlighted the chronic shortage of kidney donors in Britain.  She urged everyone to consider organ donation after death and highlighted the importance of ensuring that, if you join the organ donor register, you also ensure that your family is aware of your wishes.

Mandy Balfour, community and events fundraiser for Kidney Care UK, who received the donation on behalf of the charity, added: “As a charity we receive no government funding so we rely on the kind generosity of supporters like Teresa and everyone from the Wilson Practice. The team has really gone the extra mile and without incredible acts of kindness like this we wouldn’t be able to support thousands of kidney patients throughout the UK, so we wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part.”

The walkers, some with dogs, all enjoyed their very social stroll and many requested that The Walk for Amy should become an annual event.

Practice business director Rosie Lewis said: “The Wilson Practice is very grateful to everyone who took part, and to the generosity of staff, friends and patients in helping reach such an amazing fundraising total.”