It’s the London Marathon this Sunday (26 April) and among those taking on the challenge are four runners, including staff and those running in thanks for the care loved ones received, raising money for the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity.

Father-of-two Ollie Durham (below with his family) is running to thank the staff at our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), based at Queen’s Hospital, where eldest son Oscar spent 73 days after being born at just 27 weeks.

Ollie said:

He’s a thriving, amazing four-year-old now. Along with our other son Teddy, who was born with a bleed on the brain and cared for at the same hospital, they are the toughest people I know.

The staff on NICU are amazing and I’ll never be able to thank them enough for saving both our sons. I can’t wait to give back to the hospital team who supported my boys and our family.

Chloe Brewster (above) is also completing the marathon to give back after her grandfather had lifesaving cancer surgery in 2020 – allowing him to attend her wedding this year.

She said:

My grandad received exceptional oncology care and by running this marathon, I hope to give something back and ensure other families receive the same outstanding care and support we always have. My grandad is now cancer free and looking forward to attending my wedding, for that I’ll be forever grateful.

These hospitals have also supported my entire family in some way – from broken bones to babies, blood tests and consultant visits – and they continue to do this for so many families. Every step I take will be a thank you to those who made such a difference to us when it mattered most.

Barbara Kasumu, our charity’s own Interim CEO, (above) is also donning her trainers to take part – despite having not even completed a 5k run this time last year.

She said:

I would definitely have laughed at the idea of running for anything (including the

 bus!) this time last year. Now here I am taking on this mammoth challenge.

I’m doing it because every day I witness the incredible difference our charity makes to patients, families and staff. We’ve funded refurbishments of children’s wards, created calm spaces for families receiving difficult news and provided life-saving equipment like the £1.67 million Da Vinci Robot. The patients facing long stays away from home, and the nurses and doctors who go above and beyond every day are my motivation.

 

Completing our line-up, who between them are raising thousands for our charity, is Gemma Blackabee, PA to our Chief Nurse, (above) who has been at our Trust for 15 years and gave birth to all three of her sons at Queen’s Hospital.

She said:

I’m not an athlete – just a mum on a mission! It started off as a joke in the office, I was doing a bit of running on the treadmill, nothing to this extreme, and someone said I should apply for a marathon place.

Next thing I knew I was running a marathon! I was really shocked to get a space, and a bit scared. I started training as soon as I found out and I’ve done the Brentwood Half Marathon in March which was a bit of an eye-opener of what to expect, so that has helped me prepare.

I decided to run for our charity as I’ve been at our Trust a long time, had my children here, and I wanted to give back in a way that’s bold, meaningful…and slightly bonkers.

Gemma’s boys Archie, 13, Teddy, five, and two-year-old Alfie, will be at the sidelines to cheer her on, along with partner Rob.

Find out more about our charity.