Community and NHS staff raise over £7k for children’s hospital services with Grand Union Canal walk from Watford to Hemel

On Sunday 18 October 2026, 51 walkers laced up their boots for The Big Little Trail, taking on a scenic 9.5-mile journey along the Grand Union Canal from Watford General Hospital to Hemel Hempstead Hospital. The event was organised by West Herts Hospitals Charity, the official charity of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and raised over £7,000 for paediatric care across the Trust.

Dr Sankara Narayanan, Consultant Neonatologist (pictured third left), completing the route alongside members of his team. | West Herts Hospitals Charity

placeholder image — Dr Sankara Narayanan, Consultant Neonatologist (pictured third left), completing the route alongside members of his team. | West Herts Hospitals Charity

Under bright autumn skies, walkers either followed self-guided routes or joined guided walking groups departing from 8am.

Clinical teams from West Herts Hospitals were well represented on the trail, with Dr Sankara Narayanan, Consultant Neonatologist, completing the route alongside members of his team.

Setting the pace for the day, Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern and Deputy Chief Nurse Melanie Chambers were the first to cross the finish line, completing the route in 2 hours and 34 minutes.

Alison Rosen, Chief Executive of West Herts Hospitals Charity, said:

"The Big Little Trail was such a wonderful day, and I was delighted to take part and walk alongside so many dedicated members of our local community and hospital teams. Raising over £7,000 for our paediatric services is a fantastic achievement. These funds will make a real, lasting difference to our youngest patients and their families across West Herts when they need us most. Thank you to every walker, volunteer, sponsor, and local business who supported our charity."

While core NHS funding covers essential medical care, funds raised through West Herts Hospitals Charity enable clinical teams to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and create welcoming environments beyond standard NHS provision.

West Herts Hospitals Charity Senior Fundraising Officer Alex Murray, his mother Pauline, and members of the neonatal team passing through Cassiobury Park during The Big Little Trail. | West Herts Hospitals Charity

The funds raised from The Big Little Trail will support several key initiatives:

BabyWorks Ultrasound Simulator: Advanced training technology that enables clinical teams to practise complex neonatal and paediatric ultrasound scans in a safe, simulated environment.
Paediatric MRI Entertainment System: Audiovisual distraction technology designed to put young patients at ease during MRI scans, helping reduce the need for sedation.

To make a donation to support children's services at West Herts hospitals, please visit the charity's Big Little Moments appeal page: https://whhc.org.uk/appeals/big-little-moments

The event was delivered in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, with operational support from Sky Blue Events. Headline sponsorship was provided by Sigma Pharmaceuticals plc and Afya Pharmacy, who jointly contributed £2,500 towards event costs.

Local businesses along the route provided hospitality for participants, including Café in the Park and Cedar Café in Cassiobury Park, as well as Marion Eccles at The Red Lion Pub in Nash Mills, who supplied refreshments as part of her community outreach work. Additional provisions were donated by Tesco Extra Watford, Morrisons Watford, the Five a Day fruit stall, and Compass Group UK.

Medals were presented at the finish line by Charity Chair Heather Moulder, supported by the event’s sponsors and a team of Trust volunteers and Staff Charity Champions.