Ward’s speedy nurses chase charity goal

A TEAM of nurses from a ward at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary are going the extra mile to raise money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) this year.

The Dumfries-based team includes Toni Mercer, Christine Potts, Davie Sawden, Samantha Smith, Tricia McQuarrie, Keri Van Nuil, James Currie, Chey Carnochan, Claire Reilly and Sandra Murphy.

So far the group – nicknamed ‘F.A.S.T. and Furious’ after the stroke symptom acronym – have already raised nearly £4,500 through a series of events including the Wigton 10k, Santa dashes, the XBorder 10k and the Carlisle

Half Marathon and 10k. Sandra, a staff nurse at the Stroke, Rehab and Frailty Ward, explained: “We decided as a team to raise funds for CHSS because the support the charity provides is invaluable to the work that we do.

“For us, it is not just about raising much-needed funds, but also about promoting healthier lifestyles and healthy connections.”

The speedy squad is now building towards their biggest challenge yet, the Great North Run on September 13, after securing charity places through CHSS.

Members of the group have also taken part in a Hyrox event in March and an It’s a Knockout fundraiser in May.

Elaine Thomson, community events and corporate fundraiser at CHSS, said: “We are so grateful to Sandra and the whole team at the Stroke, Rehab and Frailty Ward for their incredible support throughout the end of 2025 and this year.

“Their fundraising will help CHSS continue to be there for the one in five people across Scotland living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid.

“Every pound raised helps us support people living with our conditions to get the right support, at the right time, and in the right place.”

To support the team’s fund- raising go to: www.justgiving. com/page/teamfastandfurious.