Paula takes on the Keswick Three Peaks Challenge for #AllForJoe

Meet Paula Goldswain, one of our incredible triage clinicians here at DHU – and someone who’s proving that stepping outside your comfort zone can make a real difference.

Paula, alongside her colleague and good friend Angie Forrest, is lacing up her hiking boots for the Keswick Mountain Festival this May. On Saturday 17th May, the pair will be taking on the Keswick Three Peaks Challenge, conquering Cat Bells, Walla Crag and Latrigg mountains in a demanding 18-mile trek.

“It’s a massive challenge for both of us,” Paula said. “Angie only has one lung, but she still runs, and I don’t do any keep fit at all! But we’re training hard and staying focused on the reason we’re doing it.”

That reason is a very personal one. Paula is raising money and awareness for #AllForJoe, a charity set up in memory of her 16-year-old nephew Joe, who sadly died by suicide last year.

“Joe was amazing,” Paula shared. “He had a rare form of dwarfism, was a brilliant swimmer training for the Paralympics, and played for a disability football team. But despite everything he achieved, he still faced huge challenges physically – and socially.”

Joe had undergone bilateral hip rebuilds and had weekly blood transfusions, open heart surgery, brain surgery, and had to learn to walk and swim again. But he never let any of it stop him. Sadly, the accumulation of health problems became too much, and Joe took his life.

“He was kind, strong and so full of life. The hardest part is that we never saw it coming.”

Now, his parents Vicki and Steve have created #AllForJoe to help other young people with disabilities follow their passions – especially when financial barriers stand in the way.

“They want to give others the chance Joe had by offering support for equipment, travel, accommodation and more,” said Paula. “Not everyone can afford to take their kids all over the country to chase their dreams. This charity is about making sure those young people aren’t excluded.”

Paula and Angie are now in training and recently took on Cat Bells as part of their prep – smashing out over 10 miles in one day!

“We’re really hoping for good weather on the 17th! But even if it pours, we’re doing it for Joe – and that’s what matters most.”

If you’d like to support Paula and Angie, you can donate or find out more about the charity via the hashtag #AllForJoe.