Cycling for Natalie: Honouring Her Life, Supporting Those Who Cared For Her

Natalie was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and moved to Cornwall as a baby, growing up alongside her sister, who was just 17 months older. From an early age, Natalie was full of life, always up to mischief yet endlessly loving. At school, her artistic talent shone, leading her to earn a degree in Textiles and Surface Design at Buckinghamshire New University. Despite offers of work in that field, Natalie chose a different path. She returned to Cornwall to work as a healthcare assistant in an operating theatre before following her dream to join the police in Scotland.

Natalie was 25 and nearing the end of her probationary period when, without warning, she fell ill one morning. Within 48 hours, on 5th January 2020, she tragically passed away. Her sudden loss devastated her family, friends, and colleagues. During the most difficult time of their lives, her parents were supported by the incredible team at the Scottish Liver Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and the nurses on Ward 118 – care that they will never forget.

Since then, Natalie’s family has channelled their grief into action, raising money for charities that were close to her heart. They were deeply moved when Police Scotland awarded Natalie a posthumous Divisional Commander’s Award for saving a young man’s life, an incredible reflection of her courage and compassion.

Last year, in that same spirit of courage and compassion, her dad, John, took on an extraordinary challenge: three major cycling events, Etape Loch Ness (April), Etape Caledonia (May), and Tour of the Borders (September), covering a total of 195 miles. On his final cycle in the Borders, John was joined by his friend, Katherine Biggin. John raised an incredible £687.50 for the Scottish Liver Unit to say thank you to the nurses who cared for both Natalie and the family with such dedication.

We never really had the chance to say thank you,” John shared. “Perhaps this gesture will go some way to showing our gratitude while shining a light on the incredible care and dedication of the teams – work that often goes unnoticed yet touches so many lives.”

Natalie spent her life supporting others, first in healthcare and then in the police, and her family wants to continue what she stood for and celebrate what mattered most to her. By taking on these challenges, her dad and the rest of the family hope to honour her memory by giving back to the clinical teams who were there for her and the family when they needed them most and also making a difference for other patients living with liver conditions.

Tumong Edwards, Community and Events Fundraiser at NHS Lothian Charity, praised John’s dedication and commitment:

What a mammoth challenge John has taken on this year. We can’t thank him enough for showing appreciation to our treasured NHS in this way. John’s fundraising will make a difference for others, helping our NHS Lothian colleagues do more for liver patients and their families by funding specialist equipment, or projects and innovations that enhance patient care and comfort. A big thank you to John and his family for this thoughtful tribute in loving memory of Natalie.”

Senior Charge Nurse, Sam Slight, also shared:

Thank you to John for taking on this challenge, we are grateful to him for taking on this challenge to show his appreciation to our team despite the sad circumstances they had to face. We are proud to care for our liver patients and their loved ones and are thankful that fundraising efforts like John’s can help us do more.”