UPDATE: 

Well, we’ve done it!! We braved the rain, wind and cold and completed our 5k runs in aid of our tiniest patients at Watford General. When we woke up that Sunday morning it was soooo tempting to draw the curtains closed again and go back to bed – the weather was appalling! But the cause us drew on and we didn't want to disappoint our wonderful supporters and donors and, of course, we were motivated by the thought of a new cardio scanner for our sickest patients.

The course was already awash with mud when we arrived, but our fellow runners had determined smiles on their faces so we threw ourselves into the spirit of the event. We got a boost of pride as the compere talked about our hospitals, our charity and the patients we support as we headed toward the start line.

10am beckoned and the mayor, under her very big brolly, wished us well and off we went! We ran around the gorgeous Verulamium Park lake, feeling an affinity with the ducks, then headed for the sports fields. After then we headed for a grassy hill which was a tad treacherous on the way down – particularly when we went through the trees and dodged the mud slides.

But we made it! There was huge satisfaction as we greeted each other at the finish line – the fastest of us taking 28:57, and the slowest coming in at 35:49 – none too shabby! We then waited to cheer on our colleague, Renton L'heureux, as he completed his 10k in aid of the Carer Support Team.

The overarching memory of the day will not be mud or the puddles but the amazing camaraderie between colleagues with a shared vision – to provide the very best care possible for our youngest patients and their families. Charitable support plays a huge part in that.

A huge thank you to all our family, friends, colleagues and patients who responded so generously to our request for sponsorship. Thank you all for being a part of #TeamWestHerts and sharing our vision!

OUR REQUEST FOR HELP:

We urgently need to raise £25,000 toward a new cardiac scanner for Watford General Hospital to help diagnose heart conditions in babies, whether they are being cared in the special care baby unit, neonatal unit or attending Outpatients. 

There is already one scanner, but it is in constant use and sometimes our youngest patients have to wait while another baby is scanned and the equipment is transferred from one floor to another.  This can cause delay when babies are at their sickest, speed is of the essence, and when parents are at their most anxious.  

Dr Sankara Narayanan, Neonatal Consultant, scans hundreds of sick children each year, and explains:

“Using sound waves, this scanner is a simple and painless way of identifying any problems with the heart, enabling us to detect any holes or narrowed valves, so we can determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each individual poorly child.  We are so grateful for any support from the community to help us buy this lifesaving piece of equipment. Thank you.

"My colleagues and I know just how important this piece of equipment is, that's why we're personally running the Hercules Festival of Sport 5k, putting our best feet forward to support the babies who need our care."

(Forgive the boring small print: West Hertfordshire Hospitals Charity will have regard for your wishes but they will not be treated as binding unless such a restriction is placed.  This ensures that we can direct funds towards the greatest need if circumstances change.  There, that's the formal bit over and done with).