We’re just loving all of the creative and different ways people are getting on board to help spread the Legs Matter message.
Here’s a group of district nurses donning some rather beautiful socks (and doing the splits!) to help create awareness and raise funds for their local Primary Care Treatment Centre.
The full story – fundraising for a new doppler
Llandudno’s District Nurses and Primary Care Treatment Team will be scaling Snowdon next month to raise funds for additional equipment to detect blood pressure problems in patients’ legs. A 12-strong team will be climbing in stripy socks to show their support for the Legs Matter Campaign, a national initiative to raise awareness on issues related to leg health.
The District Nurses and Primary Care Treatment Team, both based at Llys Dyfrig next to Llandudno Hospital, hope to raise £1,500 for a state-of-the-art doppler to help spot leg-related problems with their patients.
The equipment tests and compares blood pressure in patients’ arms and legs, identifying difficulties with circulation.
Jessica Williams, Llandudno District Nurses Team Manager, said:
“We’re hoping it’ll be a straightforward walk up Snowdon, and putting our legs to good use seemed an appropriate way to support the Legs Matter campaign.”
“Every day, thousands of people’s quality of life is reduced by the lack of support and advice on the prevention of lower leg and foot conditions.
“We really want people to know looking after their legs can have significant health benefits. Seeking support and treatment for things like varicose veins or ongoing swelling have a real impact in reducing the risk of more serious conditions later in life.
“One of the recurring problems we see with patients in our care is a deterioration in the circulation system, which often shows itself in conditions which affect the legs. This is why we want to invest in some new equipment to help spot potentially serious problems at an early stage.
“The new Doppler takes between 3 and 10 minutes to analyse a patient, compared to 30 minutes or more for our previous machine, so it would save us a significant amount of time.”
“There are a number of benefits with circulation-related issues the new equipment will help, in particular people who are diabetic, people who experience swelling in their legs, or who have vascular disease.”
Llandudno Districy nurses are in full support of the @LegsMatter campaign! We will improve the care we provide to our patients with lower limb conditions! @NicholaHughes6 @SharonComrie1 pic.twitter.com/GlGNAy9t10
— Jessica Showler-Coulson (@Jessica79651804) August 17, 2018
You can read more about their fundraising efforts by visiting the team’s JustGiving page. (Please note, any donations will be going straight to the Llandudno District Nurses and Primary Care Treatment Centre for their new doppler machine. Legs Matter takes no percentage of any of the funds raised. We are funded by our coalition, the Urgo Foundation and our corporate partners.)
About the Legs Matter campaign
The campaign aims to improve healthcare workers’ understanding and treatment of lower leg and foot conditions, and raise awareness on how taking care of their legs can have a positive impact on people’s overall quality of life.
By looking out for signs such as swelling, dry skin, varicose veins or general pain, including knocks or sores that are not healing, people can identify potentially serious problems at an early stage.
Thanks everyone for your support!
Free action pack anyone?
Our campaign is fully supported by NHS England. And you’ll see the nurses in the Tweet below holding some of our very own, rather snazzy posters. We’ve put together a handy pack containing everything you need to promote the Legs Matter campaign in your local clinic, GP’s surgery, pharmacy, community centre or workspace.
Want to get involved?
Everyone has a part to play in making Legs Matter. We want you to take charge of your own leg and foot health.
