This year’s half marathon is set to be the most successful yet, with many people from all walks of life swapping their slippers for trainers in preparation for the 13.1 mile-long run on the 18th October. To give a glimpse of the huge amount of effort put into training and fundraising for this event, here are the stories of some of the people taking part.

Lorna Bickley is raising money for One Voice, a community singing group for adults with acquired brain injuries, of which she is a Project Manager. As well as being a brilliant way to encourage social interaction, it is key in helping people with acquired brain injuries gain some confidence through singing and meeting others with shared experiences of acquired brain injury. This is the first time that Lorna has done a half marathon, so she knows that running 13.1 miles is going to be a huge challenge!

Umar Hussain is a Project Assistant for Clinical Research at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and is going to be running with other members of the Research and Development team. While some other members of this running team have decided to don scrubs for the 13.1 mile run, Umar has decided to run in QEHB Charity’s mascot, Mr Bear! Umar realises that this is going to be a huge challenge, but is determined to cross the finish line without taking off the bear suit. Good luck to him!

Philip Watson-Jones, Senior Clinical Trials Coordinator at the Research and Development Team, told QEHB Charity why he has decided to take part in the run: “I’m taking part in the Birmingham Half Marathon because I hate running- so what better way to raise money for a good cause than to do something painful? Having worked at the QE for 6 years I’ve been constantly impressed by the amazing work QEHB Charity does and the way they help drive high quality patient care forwards by supporting the world class staff employed at UHBFT.  So, the hard work has begun with the training and the fund raising! I’m running with a great bunch so it won’t be too hard! I am very much looking forward to something cold at the finish line!”

Mark Raven, Senior Physiotherapist at the QE, told us why he is running the half marathon for QEHB Charity: “The Charity has been incredibly generous in the past in supporting the limb reconstruction service and therapy service, so I wanted to give something back; However, I am struggling with training at the moment as I have a one week-old daughter taking up most of my spare time!”

Stefan Edmondson, Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist at the QE, is also going to be swapping pacing the floors of the hospital for the roads of Birmingham.

QEHB Charity wants to wish everyone running on the 18th October the best of luck for the event.

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