On Saturday (8 July) hundreds of people gathered in a sea of blue for the QEH takeover of Sandringham parkrun as the NHS turns 75.
More than 300 people laced up their running shoes to take on the celebratory run to mark 75 years of the National Health Service. Members of Team QEH, their friends and family, and the community came out in full force to witness the weeklong celebrations conclude with a bang.
CEO Alice Webster started the race which saw more than 300 people run, jog and walk the 5K route, with many sporting NHS blue and eye-catching outfits.
Alice said: “It was a brilliant event which I was honoured to be part of. We saw people in NHS blue, fancy dress and even a three-month-old take part. Today saw the NHS come together with our local community to celebrate the NHS. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Claire Whalley, Finance Business Partner at QEH and a Sandringham parkrun director added: “It was fantastic to organise today’s event which I regularly run. I am proud to have brought together my passion for running with the NHS birthday celebrations. It really has been a very special day for me and all of those here. It will be a parkrun I’ll always remember.”
Three generations of one family took on the race including Eleanor Payne, Occupational Therapist, her mum Stephanie Payne, Therapy Assistant and Vaccinator, and three-month-old daughter Poppy. Eleanor said: “It’s my first run since having Poppy. The atmosphere here is so nice and it’s great to hear the supporters cheering us on. Fantastic to have such a good turn out from TeamQEH.”
Meriden Cabales, Critical Care junior sister, who ran the race said: “It was a fantastic event, I was proud to run with my colleagues and my NHS family.”
Miguel Vaz Guedes, Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, who also took part said; “It feels great to have been part of this parkrun today and run across the finish line with my colleagues around me.”
Ends.
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