We – the Charity – have been so lucky with the weather this summer and I hope you have been enjoying it too. The sun shone on our Golf Day, at Grand Canal Challenge, at the Champagne Picnic and for various other fundraising activities which people have been doing to support our two hospitals. 

Those of us who are very old can remember the 1976 drought and this summer has many similarities. But now we just want it to be sunny for our next big landmark event – The Harefield Fun Run & Family Day (though, like most people, especially gardeners and farmers, it would be fine to rain in between). 

Since the Harefield Fun Run & Family Day is now in its 37^th year, many of you will know about it already. Tinged with sadness, as some of our participants wear messages on their clothes which says they are taking part in memory of a loved one, it is also a day of fun and fellowship. Harefield has this remarkable sense of belonging. So many of our patients, their friends and families, feel they know the hospital as well as the people who work there, and there is a strong sense of warmth and gratitude for the treatment the patients receive. Included in this blog are a few pictures of the Fun Run which sum up the day.  

So, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain…. But NOT on Sunday, September 9^th. Registration is now open, so I hope to see you there. The early bird discount is July 31^st – so don’t wait! 

I am so proud of my Fitin15 certificate. This has been a brilliant project for me, and I know it has also been wonderful for our Patients’ Fund.  I have walked far more than my 15 minutes – helped by the wonderful weather, and I feel much fitter. I am also, like many people, deeply grateful to the NHS, so giving my £70 contribution and thank you present made me feel very proud that I was part of the movement. It’s not too late for you to join us – contact me for more details or Lisa Watts on [email protected]   

And finally, a very fond, and temporary farewell to our lovely Alice Eastwood who has left us to have a baby. Many readers will know Alice as she has been our Royal Brompton Fundraiser for several years – steering people through their sponsored challenges, persuading people to take part, talking to patients and donors about their stories and being the face of the Charity at the hub in Royal Brompton. We will miss her deeply as she is very much a part of the Charity family, but we wish her all the very best for her new adventure. 

Find out more about our Fun Run & Family Day here. Or, take a look at some of our recent events and fundraisers.