Nine dedicated supporters of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity crossed the finish line of this year's Great North Run after taking on the iconic 13.1-mile challenge and raising more than £3,000 for patients, families and colleagues across our hospitals.
Among the team were six CHFT colleagues, who joined thousands of runners on the route from Newcastle to South Shields after months of training and preparation.
Representing teams from across the Trust, our CHFT runners were:
- Emma Byrnes, Staff Nurse, Acute Floor
- Lauren Bottomley, Midwife Manager
- Lucy Van De Gevel, Nursing Associate, Acute Floor
- Olivia Jackson, Staff Nurse, Coronary Angiography
- Bryde Priestley, Senior Backend Web Developer (THIS)
- Gemma Puckett, Director of Midwifery and Women’s Services
They were joined by three other fantastic supporters of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity, making a nine-strong team fundraising to support projects that go above and beyond what the NHS can fund.
Their efforts have already raised more than £3,000, with donations still coming in. Every pound raised will help the charity support patient wellbeing, improve hospital environments, fund specialist equipment and enhance experiences for patients, families and colleagues across CHFT.
The Great North Run is one of the UK's most celebrated running events, and taking part is a huge achievement. From early morning training runs to race-day nerves, every member of the team showed incredible determination and commitment to supporting our charity.
A huge congratulations to everyone who took part, and a heartfelt thank you to all those who donated, cheered from the sidelines and supported the runners on their fundraising journey.
On completing the race, Gemma Puckett said: "It was so good, although very hot! The support was amazing, and running to raise money for the maternity bereavement suite kept me going all the way. Well done to all the CHFT runners!"
Bryde Priestley added: "It was very busy and very hot, but I'm so pleased I've done it! Working for the Trust I get to see so much of what the Charity do for colleagues and patients, and having family members use hospital services it felt apt to raise funds for CHFT Charity. What kept me going was thinking about all the people around me running, and who they were running for."
Speaking about wearing her bright orange CHFT Charity-inspired outfit, she added: "If you can't wear a tutu at the world's best half marathon, where can you?!"
There's still time to support the team
Although race day is over, donations are still welcome. If you'd like to support our runners and help them raise even more for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity, you can visit their fundraising pages below: