My WiSH is supported by three London Marathon runners
My WiSH Charity is excited to have not one, but three fundraisers running the 2024 London Marathon, helping them raise vital funds to support patients and staff across the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
The NHS charity never buys marathon places as Sue Smith, head of fundraising, explains. “Charity places for the London Marathon can be purchased by charities but this can be at a huge cost. We would then need to ask the fundraiser to raise a minimum amount, approximately £1000, to cover the fee that we would have to pay to the organisers. To ask someone to raise that, with nothing benefiting the actual cause they want to support, is something we feel really uncomfortable with.”
Sue continued: “We are so pleased to have three people running this year for us, all who are lucky enough to secure a place through the ballot. The money they raise will be able to fully support the cause they each choose”.
Emergency department consultant, Dr Will Dean, was due to run last year but unfortunately sustained an injury. He is back this year and is raring to go as he supports the charity and continues his fundraising. Will said, “By running the London Marathon in support of My WiSH, I aim to amplify the impact of their invaluable work at West Suffolk Hospital.
As an Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care consultant, I witness daily the profound difference these contributions make for both patients and staff. Every donation directly enhances the healthcare experience, ensuring that everyone visiting the trust receives the highest level of care and support”. To support Will please go to his Just Giving page, www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Will-dean1.
The charity’s second runner is Steve Saunders. This is Steve’s second marathon and he hopes to smash his time of 5:33. Steve is running as part of the charity’s Grow Your Dough event which sees fundraisers receive a £50 starter donation, thanks to sponsors, Knights Lowe Accountants with the aim of providing an activity assistant for ward G4 to help and support the elderly patients who they care for. Each team then has three months to increase this to as much as possible using the starter donation in whatever way will help their fundraising with Steve using his £50 to pay for his entry.
Steve said “I really wanted to be part of this event as this new role is so important. I’m excited to run again and hope I can raise some money and make a difference”. To help Steve go to www.justgiving.com/page/steve-saundersgyd
The charity’s third runner is Richard Collyer. Richard is fundraising to thank the maternity team for the care shown to his son, Ed’s, partner, Fran, and his granddaughter, Emilia (Mimi), when she was born on the 6th of March. Mimi suffered a series of seizures and was very quickly diagnosed with a severe bleed on the brain.
Richard said, “Mimi is now out of hospital and doing extremely well. I have a place in this year’s London Marathon. I was not intending to run for a charity, but suddenly this has become very personal.
“The care that Mimi received at the West Suffolk Hospital was incredible. The staff in the maternity ward have all been incredibly kind, compassionate and caring but most of all outstandingly professional. Their timely interventions and diagnosis have been a major contribution to Mimi’s care and ongoing recovery. They are a credit to the hospital and indeed the National Health Service.
“As race day approaches I am getting more and more nervous but confident that thoughts of Mimi will inspire me and get me round the course.”
You can support Richard here Richard Collyer is fundraising for My Wish Charity (justgiving.com)
Sue finished by wishing everyone luck for the 21st April and added: “Keep a lookout for our runners in their purple tops and, if you are down in London on the day and see them, please give them a massive cheer.”