We were delighted to have 5 people taking part in the Richmond Running Festival on Sunday 6th September . With 3 people who ran the the half marathon, and 2 people who ran the 10k, we are very grateful to those who ran on our behalf and raised much needed funds for various departments at UCLH.

Our extra special thanks goes to Richard Smith (pictured right and below), Deputy Security Advisor at the Trust, who did the half marathon in an impressive 1 hour and 47 minutes.Richard has already raised more than £1,100 for the Macmillan Cancer Centre and is still fundraising to reach his self set target of £1,500.  The money that he raises will go towards the Macmillan Cancer Centre.

We caught up with Richard after the run, and he explained that he had wanted to do something to help the clinical staff and patients that visit UCLH every day. He decided that the best way to do this was to help raise funds and support his colleagues.  When Richard was a teenager a close family friend was diagnosed with skin cancer.  Richard remembers hearing him talk of the help and support that he and his family were given throughout the difficult times.  Sadly he lost his battle against skin cancer, but Richard wanted to do something to help others who find themselves in a similar situation, and is proud to support the work of the cancer centre.  

Richard said 'I am looking forward to my next opportunity to help UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation in another run or event, and raising more much needed funds for UCLH.  I really enjoyed the run, the event seemed to be very well organised and managed, and there was a lot of good support for all the participants.  I would highly recommend it to any future fundraisers as a great day.'

Tabatha Penny (pictured below) and her boyfriend Alex Chaize, ran the 10k in Richmond on Sunday, raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Centre.  Tabatha's father was treated at UCLH last year, and she speaks fondly of how supportive the nurses were throughout that time.

Tabatha said 'I took part in the Richmond 10k to raise funds for UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation as a way to say thank you to the nurses who looked after my dad when he was treated at the UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre.  Their support was amazing and my dad is now on the mend thanks to the specialist care and treatment he received at UCLH. The organisation of the event was seamless, we really enjoyed it. I'd definitely do it next year! Kew gardens were beautiful in the morning sunshine.'

Julie Gray was delighted to complete the half marathon, it was the first half marathon that she has ever taken part in, and she said that she a good time and was delighted to complete the run.  Well done Julie!

It is the support of people like Richard, Tabatha, Alex and Julie, that enables us to continue raising funds for projects and research across UCLH, improving the lives of patients.

A huge thank you to all of those who took part in the run, and best wishes from the team at UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation.