CHFT and Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust (BTHFT) have once again joined up, this time raising money as part of The Circulation Foundation (CF) National Relay 2026, a nationwide charity event where 18 vascular units across the UK carry the CF Baton from hub to hub to raise awareness and funds for vascular health. 

A team of seven CHFT colleagues and six BTHFT colleagues (along with their families) walked 10 miles from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden and back, with the youngest participant being aged 12. Together they raised almost £800 for the charity, which funds and promotes research around vascular disease.

Vascular Consultant, Shirley Jia, became Chief Media Manager for the day - organising regular photo opportunities during the walk and proudly announcing to passers by to support The Circulation Foundation!

The relay started in May in Dundee and has passed through various hospital trusts and vascular centres, such as Edinburgh and Hull. It is due to finish at the Vascular Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Liverpool this November. Participating local hospital teams organise events like charity bike rides, awareness stands, and community fundraisers during their designated hosting weeks. 

CHFT Medical Director and Former Chair of The Circulation Foundation, Neeraj Bhasin, said: "The event brought together medical, specialist nursing, ward, secretarial, and outpatient staff from across BTHFT and CHFT involved in the care of vascular patients. Also, our CHuFT Award-winning former Vascular Ward Manager, Alex, showed his ongoing allegiance to vascular!"