I’m Charlie, Vice President Sport at the University of Southampton Students’ Union, and I’m delighted to be joining Charlie, the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, to take on the Southampton Half Marathon in support of the new Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI). As two people who share a name and a commitment to the University’s future, we’re coming together as Team Charlie to raise vital funds for an initiative with the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives.

The IMI will bring together world-leading researchers, clinicians and innovators to accelerate breakthroughs in some of the biggest health challenges facing society, including cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection, and respiratory and allergic illnesses. By helping turn cutting-edge research into real-world advances in healthcare, the IMI has the potential to transform lives here in Southampton and across the UK.

Whether you’re a student, a member of staff, an alumnus or simply someone who believes in the power of medical research, we would be incredibly grateful for your support. Every donation, big or small, will help the IMI push the boundaries of what’s possible in medicine. So please get behind team Charlie as we take on 13 miles for a fantastic cause — because if we’re going to put ourselves through the half marathon, we might as well make every mile count!