Sunday 8^th March marks International Women’s Day, a celebration of women’s social, economic and political achievements from across the globe. Every year, this day is a powerful showcase of the progress being made towards gender equality and spotlights the vital work that still needs to be done.

As this year’s theme is ‘Give to Gain’, Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) Charity, which raises funds for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s family of ten hospitals, is celebrating some of our wonderful fundraisers who, supported by family, friends and colleagues, have helped us to make a huge difference.

These three inspiring fundraisers have chosen to support our hospitals in a way that gives back to the communities and patients who rely on our essential NHS services every single day.

Lindsay Gansler’s Story

This International Women’s Day, Lindsay Gansler, 48, from Heywood, is turning personal tragedy into powerful fundraising in memory of her late husband, Phil.

In October 2016, Phil suffered a completely unexpected heart attack whilst he was at work. He had shown no prior signs of heart disease or any indicative illnesses. Phil was taken to the hospital close to work where he had a cardiac arrest and was blue-lighted to Wythenshawe Hospital, where specialist teams fought to save his life.

Phil was placed on an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) machine in the Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit, a life-support machine that takes over the function of the lungs and heart, becoming one of the first people in the UK to be placed on ECMO while receiving CPR.  Wythenshawe Hospital is one of only five specialist centres that offers ECMO in England.

Phil remained in critical care for eight days but sadly, never regained consciousness and died at the age of 43.

Lindsay said: “For eight days, I lived by Phil’s bedside with his two sons and close family attending daily. The staff were extraordinary and cared for Phil with such dignity, they looked after us too. Staff members answered all our questions and concerns; they supported us through every moment.

“You grieve not just for the person you’ve lost, but for the future you thought you would have. We can’t bring Phil back, as much as we’d love to. But we can honour him.”

Funds raised at Phil’s funeral were donated to the Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit at Wythenshawe Hospital. Since then, the family along with friends, have taken on Tough Mudder challenges, Muddy Maniacs obstacle course, quiz nights and community events, even raising £1,600 in a single evening.

Last month, Lindsay’s sons ran a marathon between Phil’s workplace in Holmes Chapel to Macclesfield Hospital and then on to Wythenshawe Hospital, a symbolic route reflecting the journey Phil took on that day. The event raised just over £1,400, and the fundraising total to date exceeds £4,600, with MFT Charity one of four selected charities to receive the funds.

To mark the ten-year anniversary of Phil’s death, the family will also be partaking in a charity golf day at Rossendale Golf Club in May, a sponsored swim across Lake Windermere in June and a trek of the National Three Peaks in August, before culminating their biggest and most ambitious fundraiser yet with a Black-Tie Charity Dinner at The Village Hotel in Bury, Manchester this October.

Led by Lindsay, the event is aiming to raise between £5,000 and £10,000. Funds will be split between MFT Charity and three other charities.

Lindsay added: “It’s a bitter-sweet feeling, as so much has changed for us since Phil died, it’s a different focus on life. He’d be proud of us and what we’ve been through, we’ve all worked hard to get to where we are.

“Every event, every challenge, every pound we raise is a way to honour Phil and the care he received. Supporting the hospital means supporting other families in their hardest moments and funding the resources that make lifesaving care possible.”

Those interested can register for the Black-Tie event by emailing fundraisingforphil@gmail.com

Kate Todd’s Story

This April, 33-year-old Kate Todd, from Brisbane, Australia, will take on the world-famous London Marathon in support of MFT Charity , aiming to raise at least £10,000 towards our MediCinema Appeal.

Though based halfway across the world, Kate is running not only to support children and families in Manchester hospitals but also to show solidarity with her colleagues at Cardinal Global Logistics, who are based in Manchester and deeply connected to the local community.

Fronted by Andrew and Rachael Flintoff, the MediCinema Appeal will transform an unused lecture theatre at Manchester Royal Infirmary into a fully accessible, 50-seat MediCinema. Once complete, the cinema will benefit patients in both Manchester Royal Infirmary and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

When operational, the MediCinema is expected to screen up to 260 films each year. Supported by trained MediCinema nurses and volunteers, screenings will offer patients moments of normality, escape, and time away from the ward with loved ones, during long or frequent hospital stays.

A mum-of-two to Lucy, 5 and Cooper, 3, Kate balances her family life with work and an intense training schedule that sees her run between 70 and 110 kilometres each week. Kate wakes up at 4am most mornings, allowing her time to complete speed sessions and long-distance runs before the school day begins.

The London Marathon will take place on Sunday 26^th April following the traditional 26.2-mile course from Blackheath to The Mall. Iconic landmarks on the route include the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace.

The race will be Kate’s fourth marathon, having previously completed the Gold Coast Marathon in 2016 and then again in 2025 as well as the Queenstown Marathon in 2022. She is also set to run the Sydney Marathon later this year, making 2026 her biggest running challenge yet.

Adding to the excitement, Kate has also been selected for PUMA’s highly competitive Project3 programme, a global initiative giving 300 runners across the 2026 Boston and London Marathons the chance to experience life as an elite athlete.

Kate said: “It’s such an incredible opportunity. For me, what makes London truly special is raising money for charity. If I am going to run an international marathon, I want it to have purpose.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to run the London Marathon, and with support from my employer, Seabridge Logistics, and our UK business partners at Cardinal Global Logistics, I’m thrilled to turn that dream into a way to raise money for an incredible charity.

“I feel grateful that my body shows up for me, because not everyone has that opportunity. Raising money for children’s causes has always been close to my heart and knowing the funds will support hospitals in Manchester as well as families who rely on those services gives every kilometre more meaning.”

Speaking on advice she would give to women interested in taking up running, Kate said: “You’re a runner, no matter what pace you run. If you have the confidence to do this, nothing beats the feeling of crossing the finish line especially at one of these amazing races.

“It feels like the whole world is cheering you on for the last few minutes. Knowing why you’re running, who you’re doing it for and focusing on that is the key to staying motivated all the way to the finish line.”

Supporters can follow Kate’s inspiring journey and training updates on Instagram at @Kate.kate.runs, where she is documenting the road to race day.

Jill Nixon’s Story

Among MFT Charity’s inspiring fundraisers is Jill Nixon, who is preparing to trek along the Great Wall of China to raise money for young patients across the Trust.

Jill Nixon, 57, from Didsbury, is Operations Manager for Radiology across the Trust’s hospitals. Known for her active lifestyle, including earning a brown belt in kickboxing, Jill will travel to China in May to take on the nine-day challenge, pushing herself far beyond her comfort zone in support of our MediCinema Appeal.

Jill has already raised a total of £3,715 for her walk across China and hopes to reach a rounded goal of £3,900 before setting off.

Having supported charitable causes for many years, Jill wanted to do something meaningful for those closer to home.

Jill said: “I’ve always done charity work throughout my life and I wanted to do something for children within our area. Doing it for the Trust felt really important to me because I can see first-hand the difference MFT Charity makes.”

In 2022, Jill previously took on another major fundraising challenge when she trekked across the Sahara Desert with a group of 12 participants, raising a total of £3,122 for our Charity.

The week-long Sahara trek pushed Jill physically and mentally. Despite being very active, the expedition brought challenges she had never faced before, from intense heat and sleeping in a tent for the first time to travelling long distances and stepping far outside her comfort zone.

Jill said: “You’re constantly walking with different people and you really gel. Everyone naturally took on different roles, filling water packs, helping with equipment, making sure people were okay. You look after each other and push each other along.”

One of the most memorable moments came when the group climbed the highest sand dune during the night to watch the sunrise.

Jill added: “We had to bear crawl up the sand dune, but when we got to the top and watched the sun rise it was incredible. After the Sahara I felt like I’d pressed a reset button.

“The experience created a powerful sense of camaraderie between the group; I was fortunate enough to meet people from various walks of life. During those low points, it made all the difference to have a community of like-minded people to support you, we pushed each other along.

“We really bonded and remain in regular contact today.”

As she prepares for the Great Wall challenge, Jill hopes her story will inspire other women to take on their own fundraising challenges.

Jill said: “You absolutely need to do it. Forget your fears because everyone is in the same boat and you support each other. The experience is incredible and you’re doing it for such a good cause.”

Jo Thomas, Relationship Officer at MFT Charity said: “International Women’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible women who fundraise for our hospitals and the fantastic difference this makes to patients every single day.

“We’re extremely grateful for Lindsay, Kate and Jill’s determination and commitment to fundraising for our hospitals. No stone has been left unturned as they’ve harnessed the kindness and support of family, friends and their communities, and we wish them the very best for their upcoming challenges.”