We wrote a blog for Run Reigate, (original link here).
Andrew Bickerdike leads SASH Charity, the charity for East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, and all the services provided by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
An event like Run Reigate is an amazing coming together of the local community and the world of running (with all its benefits to physical and mental health), as well as of countless individual stories and motivations. People taking on a personal challenge, while often also raising money for causes they care deeply about. It’s humbling, joyful, and inspiring.
We are lucky to have some fantastic charities in this area and feel privileged to be represented alongside some of them at this event.
Our role is to help your hospital go further. Your donations make things possible for patients and staff here at East Surrey Hospital (as well as Crawley, Horsham, Caterham and elsewhere) which the NHS would not be expected to fund. For example, creating a new dementia-friendly courtyard for our older patients (and anybody using the hospital) to enjoy earlier this year, a family fun day for children and young people with epilepsy, or helping nurses share their research here at East Surrey Hospital with national and international colleagues at a conference in Berlin.
We are incredibly grateful and humbled that our work inspires the support and donations that make these things possible. In turn, our patients and our supporters inspire all of us to want to go further.
That’s why on race day we will officially launch a new fundraising appeal, inspired by a girl from Bletchingley (now three and fit and well) who spent the first 110 days of her life in the hospital’s neonatal unit. With your help, we can make our neonatal unit go further for other babies and their families. Come to our gazebo in the event village and find out more.
The individuals who have chosen to run for SASH speak movingly about why they want to support their hospital. Just take a look at Michelle’s story, Heather’s story, or Rob’s story as examples. If you’re feeling inspired and want to join Michelle, Heather, Rob and others in running for SASH Charity, please visit www.sashcharity.org to register, or contact us at sash.charity@nhs.net, or 07966 235171
We think it’s wonderful when people come together to take part in an event like Run Reigate. And to see so many local good causes as a part of the motivation is genuinely inspiring.
You can find SASH Charity on:
- Twitter @sashcharity
- Instagram @sashcharity
- Facebook @sashnhscharity
#RunAsOne #RunReigate2019