Brighterway Champion: Martyn Smith’s Inspiring Challenge to Give Back to the NHS

Martyn Smith fundraises at Everyone Active in Fleet

Martyn Smith (63) of Fleet, Hampshire, a governor for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is on a mission to give back to the institution that saved his life. He aims to complete 52 marathons (one medley a week) which also equates to 2.5 million steps and swim 250 km between 1st January and 31st December 2025 to raise £25,000 for Brighterway, the NHS charity supporting Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare.

This week, Martyn kicked off his vigorous training regime supported by the lifeguards and management team of Everyone Active in Fleet, Hampshire.

Married with three adult children and two grandchildren in his life, this endeavour is especially poignant and meaningful for the former businessman.

In 2015, Martyn suffered two life-altering strokes, leaving him unable to stand, walk, or even talk. Despite these daunting challenges, he has embarked on an ambitious journey to mark his recovery’s 10th anniversary.

Brightness from Dark Days

Reflecting on his journey, Martyn shares, “I was at my lowest, unable to move, talk, or function. Yet here I am, ten years later, not only walking but setting a goal of completing 52 marathons in 2025 (2.5 million steps and 250 km in the pool). For me, it’s about proving to myself and others that recovery is possible, and that life can go on even after unimaginable setbacks.”

Beyond this initial challenge, Martyn envisages expanding his fundraising efforts to benefit the NHS in the future – he hopes that this may lead to sustainability initiatives that would help the NHS operate more eco-consciously.

Brighterway is proud to champion Martyn’s extraordinary fundraising journey, part of their ongoing mission to enhance NHS services and support both patients and healthcare providers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Brighterway will serve as Martyn’s charitable partner on this journey, supporting his goals and amplifying his impact on the community.

Follow and support Martyn’s fundraising efforts here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/governor-challenge2025

A Journey of Recovery and Giving Back

For Martyn, this challenge is deeply personal. 10 years ago, he faced a severe health crisis, suffering two strokes that left him unable to walk, talk, or even sit up. He recalls, “I remember hearing ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen as they operated to put the stent in – a small detail, but those moments stick with you. I thought, ‘If I make it, I have to live differently, and I have to give back.’ ”

With Brighterway’s support, he hopes to mark this milestone in his recovery by giving back to the NHS, the institution he credits with saving his life. “I owe my recovery to the NHS, and Brighterway’s support is allowing me to pay it forward in a meaningful way,” Martyn shares.

Through his fundraising, Martyn wants to provide Brighterway with resources to support crucial initiatives for patient care and well-being across Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare. He envisages these funds contributing to projects that address real, immediate needs of patients and staff – whether through comfort enhancements for patient areas, staff wellness programs, or equipment that improves patient outcomes.

Brighterway: Empowering the NHS and Inspiring Communities

Brighterway has long focused on making a positive impact on NHS services by funding projects that go beyond what standard NHS budgets can cover. By championing Martyn’s journey, Brighterway sees an opportunity to inspire individuals across Hampshire to support their local NHS services. “When we get more people involved, our impact increases,” Martyn says. “One person can only do so much, but a community can make a real difference.”

Brighterway believes that the health and well-being of both patients and staff can be elevated by fostering a sense of community involvement and encouraging people to engage with the NHS in everyday ways.

Martyn’s efforts align seamlessly with Brighterway’s mission of enhancing NHS experiences and creating brighter, more positive hospital environments. His ambitious fundraising goal is not just about the funds – it’s about sparking a movement within the community, a movement that Brighterway wholeheartedly supports.

“Brighterway has given me the support to make this challenge possible,” says Martyn, “and together, we’re working to create something that will positively impact patients and staff long after my challenge is over.”

An Invitation to the Community: Walking Together for a Healthier Future

Starting on 1st January 2025, Martyn will begin his journey with the goal of completing 25 marathons (2.5 million steps and 250 km of swimming). Together with Brighterway, he invites patients, NHS staff, and the entire Hampshire community to join him in monthly walks and swimming events held at NHS and Everyone Active sites. Each event is designed to be inclusive and open to all—patients, carers, families, and staff.

For Martyn, these events represent more than fitness milestones. “I want to give everyone the chance to be part of this journey,” he says. “When patients and staff walk together, or swim alongside each other, it creates a bond and reminds us why we’re doing this—to support each other and the NHS.”

With Brighterway’s support, Martyn is creating an opportunity for everyone to get involved, whether by walking, cheering, or contributing to the £25,000 fundraising goal.

The funds raised will go directly to Brighterway’s initiatives within Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, providing much-needed resources that enrich patient experiences and support staff well-being. From patient comfort projects to health and wellness resources for NHS staff, Brighterway ensures every donation enhances NHS services in tangible, impactful ways.

Join Martyn and Brighterway in Their Mission

To support Martyn and Brighterway, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/governor-challenge2025 where you can track Martyn’s progress, donate, or sign up to participate. With Brighterway’s support, Martyn’s challenge is more than a personal journey; it’s a rallying call for Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents to strengthen their NHS community and ensure a brighter way forward for everyone.

“Even if they just come along to cheer, or encourage their friends to join, that’s part of this journey,” Martyn says. “Every small step matters, and together, we’re making a difference for the NHS, step by step.”

Together, let’s help Martyn and Brighterway make a lasting impact on the NHS—one step, one swim, and one contribution at a time.

Support Martyn’s fundraising efforts by donating via: https://www.justgiving.com/page/governor-challenge2025

Updated staff room at Elmwood Ward, Parklands Hospital

Thanks to a grant from NHS Charities together received earlier in the year, Brighterway allocated funds to update a staff room at Elmwood Ward, Parklands Hospital.

Elmwood Ward is a 14-bed ward providing care for older people who have organic mental health needs and are unable to look after themselves or be looked after at home. Some patients have early onset dementia.

Following a meeting with the ward manager, it was highlighted that the staff required new items in their staff room to enhance and improve well-being. With a lot of the staff doing long days and having an hour lunch break, it was pivotal that there was an area they could go to relax during that time.

updated staff room

Items included a new toaster, chairs, kettle, coffee machine, mugs and plates.

Julie Bowles, Activity Co-ordinator for Elmwood commented ‘The staff in the ward are very happy with the new facilities that enable them to relax in comfy chairs and make nice food in their breaks.’

Brighterway have also provided further funding to buy shelving units for the ward. Allowing staff to access activity items quicker and easier, giving them more time to spend with the patients and removing the need to lift up boxes.

If you would like to donate towards Brighterway’s future projects, please click here.

A thank you to young carers

Brighterway are proud to be working alongside No Limits to provide Christmas stockings to young carers.

No Limits is an award-winning, local, independent charity that was founded in 1993 by a group of young people and local organisations who realised that young people needed somewhere to go for information, advice and counselling. In 27 years, It’s gone on to support thousands of young people in Southampton and across Hampshire through their advice centre, specialist projects and drop in sessions for schools / colleges.

The charity also provide respite and support to 50 young carers. Prior to Covid-19, they were holding regular meetings, 1:1 chats and various group activities such as bowling and Paultons Park. However, as a result of the pandemic a lot of the face to face and group activities have been moved over to Skype.

Brighterway had been successful in obtaining a grant from NHS charities together, and this has enabled the charity to support local community organisations that focus on combating isolation and loneliness.

The £2,000 donation will allow No Limits to buy the young carers a Christmas gift. Carers can often feel alone and isolated, this will be a way of lifting their spirits and saying thank you for all the time they give in the year caring for others, often being their own parents or family members. It’s vital to maintain contact with them and let them know that people do care, even though the group activities have stopped.

Alice Mooney, Service Manager at No Limits, said “2020 has been a really difficult year for children and young people; we’ve seen a huge rise in the number of young people facing loneliness, anxiety and mental health issues.

We know from research conducted by Action for Children last year, half of Young Carers miss out on Christmas social activities due to their caring role, this year it’s further exacerbated by the Covid-19 restrictions.

For many of the Young Carers we support, they don’t get the opportunity to fully experience the magic of Christmas, which is why we’re so grateful to Brighterway for bringing some Christmas joy to the Young Carers we support.”

Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Training

Brighterway recently provided funding for 3 members of the Specialist Palliative Care Team to attend a virtual study day.

Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) is a complication for palliative patients with cancer diagnoses and considered an oncological emergency. Recognising the signs and symptoms of MSCC along with how to manage it is crucial in ensuring patients have the best possible outcome and optimal quality of life for the remainder of their life.

Kerry Newman, Specialist Physiotherapist in Palliative care, attended the training ‘The course itself was incredibly useful for us in the Specialist Palliative Care Team as it provided both up to date knowledge about MSCC but also about how other teams communicate across services.

Following the course, we’ve provided a training update to the rest of our team with a second planned in January. We’ve also reached out to QA Hospital in Portsmouth to create a better link between Trusts, as many of our patients with this condition are referred there.

The course has given us a better insight into what should be included in the patient information leaflets and have ordered some that are more suitable based on what we learnt from the training day. Along with learning resources for our own team that were provided from the course.

Overall, this day has provided us with an update of MSCC, a review of the current guidelines available for assessment purposes, a method for us to improve our assessment skills and enabled us to establish better links with other trusts locally.

Thank you to Brighterway for funding this opportunity to support the development of our team.’

Southampton OPMH team morale and well-being check in

Back in April, Brighterway were successful in receiving a £35,000 grant from NHS Charities Together. The money has been allocated to go towards projects that support the health and well-being of staff at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in the ongoing pandemic.

Southampton Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) team were one of the teams to benefit from the grant. The team of doctors, nurses and administrators are currently working on a two week rota between home and the office to help adhere to social distancing.

Throughout the pandemic, feelings of anxiety and isolation from working from home have been highlighted within the team. The senior management team wanted to find a way to combat those feelings and decided on ‘staff morale and well-being check in’ sessions.

The lunch-time sessions were designed to give staff time to catch up with colleagues, relax and take some time out for themselves.

Thanks to the grant from NHS Charities together, Brighterway have been able to allocate money to provide food and drink at the sessions, ranging from chocolate to tea.

Sammie Duer, team leader for Southampton OPMH commented ‘The staff have been so supportive of one another during such a difficult time and always put their patients first. It’s a nice way to show staff they are valued, appreciated and all their hard work has been acknowledged.

It is important to preserve staffs wellbeing and mental health, so doing sessions like this will really help and give them something to enjoy’

Brighterway were recently successful in receiving a further £50,000 from NHS Charities together to help staff and patients during the second lockdown. If you would like to contribute to our COVID-19 appeal, please visit our Justgiving page.