I have chosen to run the half marathon at the ABP Southampton Marathon Festival to support the work of Southampton Hospitals Charity.

Southampton Hospitals Charity works to improve the care and services provided by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. The charity makes grants to support with improving patient care, clinical outcomes, the hospital environment, and pioneering research.

From funding state-of-the-art equipment in the Children’s Hospital, to running arts programmes for dementia patients, Southampton Hospitals Charity works to improve outcomes for thousands of patients every year.

This cause is also personal to me. Since moving to Southampton, I have experienced their fantastic care firsthand, including being looked after and having lab work done through them after a bad tick bite. On top of that, my partner and the friends I have made whilst living here, have all worked alongside the Trust during their medical studies so I have seen up close how dedicated the team is and how important extra funding is for the hospital. I was actually set to raise money for them earlier this year but another dislocated knee put a stop to that. Now that I am back on my feet and running again, I am looking forward to finally getting the opportunity to cross the line for the charity.

Any donations would be very gratefully received. Thank you so much for your support.

£5 could buy a meal for a carer staying in the hospital with their loved one

£25 could buy a sensory kit for a dementia patient

£50 could help fund a vein finder for chemotherapy patients

£250 could help fund diagnostic equipment to improve outcomes and reduce wait times

£1000 could help fund lifesaving equipment in the intensive care unit