Janet Acott

David's Run

Fundraising for King's College Hospital Charity
£1,010
raised of £1,000 target
by 22 supporters
In memory of David Acott
We fund equipment, facilities and research to make the best care possible for patients

Story

David had a liver transplant at King's College Hospital in 2012 when he was 15. He joined the King's Children's Transplant Team in 2014 and took part in the British Transplant Games in Bolton. 

Sheringham parkrun was at the heart of David's return to physical fitness and sport following his transplant. Without the encouragement he received there, he would not have gone on to compete at the British Transplant Games, or return to taking part in all the sports he loved.

On the 3rd Nov 2012 when Sheringham parkrun was putting on its first event, David had been out of hospital for a month, recovering from his lifesaving liver transplant. Having found out about Sheringham parkrun, we decided that it would be something to aim for as he made his way back to some level of fitness.

We spent November gradually increasing his strength and stamina and on 1 December 2012, we turned up for our first parkrun. We were both anxious but set off at a jog. After about 1km the wisdom of such a challenge set in, as David started to struggle. However, with the incredible support we received on our way round from the wonderful volunteers, we made it!

From then on, we came regularly and David actually won the Monthly Prize for December.

Gradually, being a teenager and having a Saturday job got in the way and David stopped parkrunning. Despite stopping, without Sheringham parkrun, David would not have gone on to achieve what he did. It gave him the confidence to believe that he could do whatever he set his mind to, that having had a liver transplant was not a disability. He ran, he swam, he cycled, he played football, he played badminton, he competed in the Pinewood Triathlon and the British Transplant Games.

All of this was possible because of Sheringham parkrun and for that I am forever grateful.

When David tragically lost his life following a short battle with cancer on 11th March 2015, Event Director, Karl Read, suggested a parkrun in his memory on the Saturday nearest that date. Our first 'David's Run' took place in 2016 and was wonderfully supported by friends, family and parkrunners, with participants wearing football shirts in recognition of David's love of the 'beautiful game'.

This year will be the fifth David's Run. We would like to use this event to raise some funds once again for the King's Children's Transplant Team, of which David was a member. We appreciate that parkrun is a free event but hope you will give something either here, or on the day.

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Thank you again for visiting our justgiving page which is raising funds for the King's Children's Transplant Team, reference BTG D2338





About the charity

We are dedicated to life-changing care at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. King’s provides specialist and local health services to over one million people in South-East London and Kent, as well as critical care. Our work makes innovation, as well as world class treatment, possible.

Donation summary

Total raised
£1,010.00
+ £82.50 Gift Aid
Online donations
£1,010.00
Offline donations
£0.00

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