I’ll be running the London Marathon & Brighton Half* to support the Evelina London Children’s Charity

(*making a fool of myself all in the name of charity, more on that below…)

I’m delighted to share that I’ll be running the London Marathon in support of the Evelina Children’s Charity, which supports the Evelina London Children’s Hospital as the second largest provider of children’s services in London.

The Evelina is the children’s arm of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and provides comprehensive health services and care from birth through childhood to children in London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The Evelina Children’s Charity supports the children, families and staff of the Evelina through:

- Providing compassionate care, funding the play team to make the hospital experience feel that little bit more normal, including multi-sensory units and bedside magic.

- Innovating technologies to support families of those who are in care, giving remote access to their little ones to keep them close when not physically by the bedside.

- Supporting the team at the Evelina, providing wellbeing zones where the team can rest and recharge after (or during!) a tough shift, as well as providing comprehensive support packages.

- Exploring new approaches to delivering care, for example investing in virtual reality technology to investigate how the most complex of heart problems can be treated.

Why the Evelina Children’s Charity?

The Evelina is a critical establishment for the NHS delivering its services to children in London and across the South East, and such it requires no justification. However, it’s also where my amazing wife Lucy works as a nurse in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Hearing every other day about how the work of her and her colleagues changes the lives of babies, children and their families (all while I’m sitting behind a desk with my calculator!) has made me want to be able to give something to show support for a great organisation.

But Rich, you love running?

It’s true, I do. Which is why to put me through my paces I’ll be running the Brighton Half Marathon in February, in fancy dress!

As a dinosaur? A bowling pin? You decide! The closer to my £2,500 target I get by the start of February, the more ridiculous it’ll be. But as well as your donation, please give me your suggestions of what you’d like to see me dressed as, and I’ll confirm nearer the time.