Runners raising money for St Richard’s

A CONTINGENT of runners from St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester lined up for the Great South Run yesterday.
Five staff and supporters are raising funds for Optiflow machines, to help patients breathe more easilyFive staff and supporters are raising funds for Optiflow machines, to help patients breathe more easily
Five staff and supporters are raising funds for Optiflow machines, to help patients breathe more easily

The group of five staff and supporters had been training hard for the event in Southsea, in order to help patients breath more easily.

They were raising funds for Optiflow machines, which deliver oxygen therapy more effectively and comfortably for patients in intensive care, or to those who have respiratory problems needing hospital treatment.

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Nikki Broomfield, her dad Ken, and colleagues Amy Keates, Nicky Montague and Teresa Gerardine hoped to raise £2,000 towards the new equipment.

Clare Nicholson and her father, whose life was saved at St Richard's HospitalClare Nicholson and her father, whose life was saved at St Richard's Hospital
Clare Nicholson and her father, whose life was saved at St Richard's Hospital

Two other runners were taking part to put something back into the hospital, novice runner Clare Nicholson from London and Sophie Mantell.

Jane Ramage, chairman of the Friends, said: “All are linking their efforts to the Friends of Chichester Hospitals, whose friendly hospital shop and donations of vital equipment make a real difference for many patients and their families at a difficult time.

“As a charity run entirely by volunteers, we really appreciate the time and effort the runners are putting into this – training hard in their spare time, and challenging themselves so that they can help others.

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“Every pound raised really does help the Friends to make a difference for patients and staff. Their enthusiasm and commitment is really inspiring.”

Clare was running ten miles to raise funds because St Richard’s Hospital saved her father’s life.

“Looking at my pale, tired Dad, lying on his side was a very sad thing to see,” she said.

“He had just come home from the Chichester hospital where they had removed a tennis ball sized amount of tissue from his colon. This round piece of tissue included a cancerous tumour.

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“Six months later he was tested for the likelihood of getting cancer again and the doctors have said that he’s no more likely to get cancer than anyone else his age.

“My Dad chose Friends of Chichester Hospitals as the staff worked tirelessly to help him and others in similar situations. We would like to give back a little to the people who saved my Dad’s life and make their working life in the Chichester hospital a little easier. Hospitals are badly underfunded and need our support.”

Sophie was inspired to sign up by the care and support given to Paul du Preez, the father of a close friend, before he died in January from lung cancer.

“I am doing the run as a thank you to the Friends of St Richard’s, who supported Paul, Katinka, Nicole and Alex through Paul’s illness.

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“At his funeral, instead of flowers, it was asked that we donated to the Friends. By doing the run, I will raise much more than I could have given as a personal donation.”

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