Family members of loved ones cared for at two East London hospitals will be at the start line of the London Marathon alongside a senior manager and a "mum on a mission".
They are running to raise funds and say thank you through the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity. This Sunday’s (April 26) challenge will see all four taking on the iconic 26.2 miles to give back to the hospitals that have made a difference in their lives.
Father-of-two Ollie Durham is running in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Queen’s Hospital, where his eldest son Oscar spent 73 days after being born at just 27 weeks.
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Mr Durham 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 will also be running to give back after her grandfather had lifesaving cancer surgery in 2020 – allowing him to attend her wedding this year.
Ms Brewster 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."
She added: "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."
Also running is Barbara Kasumu, interim chief executive officer of the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity.
Ms Kasumu is taking on the marathon having not completed a 5K just one year ago. 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."
Rounding out the group is Gemma Blackabee, personal assistant to the chief nurse and a long-time member of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals.
Ms Blackabee has worked for the 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 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."
Her sons Archie, 13, Teddy, five, and Alfie, two, will be at the sidelines to cheer her on, along with partner Rob. Together, the runners are raising thousands for the charity to help improve care and support at both King George and Queen’s hospitals.
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