After two years of absence, it was wonderful to see so many of our fantastic supporters back at the Harefield Fun Run and Family Day on Sunday 4 September.

It was a glorious day; the sun was out for all our friends of Harefield Hospital who gathered to take on our brand-new route through the stunning countryside of Harefield. 372 runners and walkers - many of them former patients, their friends, and families - were in high spirits as they set off.

Supporters followed the Grand Union Canal, passing by our friends at the Coy Carp pub, before crossing the canal at Springwell Lock and heading back to the hospital for the final dash towards the finishing line.

Harefield transplant patient Dave Webb said:

Today I completed the Harefield Fun Run thanks to my heart transplant. Four years ago, I was breathless going up stairs. I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for my incredible donor.

The first runner to finish the 4-mile run was Maria Monteagudo who completed the route in less than 33 minutes – which we think is quite impressive.

After crossing the finish line, competitors along with their family and friends soaked up the atmosphere at the Family Day. The grounds of the hospital were filled with stalls including Amy’s Amazing Faces, who brightened up many faces with her incredible face art; RB&Harts, who helped patients tell their stories in an artistic way; Co-op, who ran a penalty shoot and craft tent; Fizzy Bathroom Heaven, who blew bubbles and sold handmade bath bombs; Brixton Amusements, who provided children’s rides as well as many more.

Papa Gee's ice cream provided sweet treats and Stephen Jones amazed us with his close-up magic. There was also incredible entertainment with singing from Nicky Fisher and Singing for Breathing, and a mind-blowing performance from London dance group, Futunity UK.

Juliette O’Loughlin from the Co-op said: 

Fantastic day today supporting the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity. All to raise vital funds for our essential local hospital. 

You can watch a video of the highlights from the day below:

Winners from 2019’s Fun Run were finally able to get their hands on their trophies, handed out by Charity chief executive Richard Bowyer.

Hamsters Cup – awarded to the participant with the most recent transplant

Danielle Claydon who had her transplant on 28^th December 2018

Professor Magdi Yacoub Shield – awarded to the individual who has raised the most money

Teresa Browning who raised £1,289.00

Re-Beat Club Cup – awarded to the team who has raised the most money

Tim’s Titans who raised an amazing £13,330

Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity Cup – awarded to the largest team entry

Anbu’s Army who had 53 members

Sugi Anbalagan from Anbu’s Army said:

It was a lovely day and everyone had great fun. Thank you Harefield Charity team and all the volunteers for the hard work.

The event raised in excess of £25,000 with sponsorship still coming in for the Next Generation Genetics appeal. The funds will go towards providing Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital’s genetics and genomics team with a brand-new sequencer, which will allow them to test more patients for inherited genetic conditions. This will mean patients will get diagnosed sooner and get the treatment they need faster.

Thank you to everyone who came down on the day and made the Fun Run and Family Day a huge success. You can find more photographs from the day in this gallery.

Everyone at the Charity is excited to welcome you back next year for the 40^th anniversary of the Fun Run – save the date – Sunday 10^th September 2023

If you want to donate to the Next Generation Genetics appeal via the Fun Run then follow the link below:

Donate to the Harefield Fun Run

 

A very big thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this day a success.  Bellway Homes – our medal sponsors Grant & Stone for kindly lending us a lorry to use as staging Martin for managing the start and finish line Uxbridge HireBase for providing the generator Co-op for providing entertainment, bananas for each participant and volunteer support throughout the day Steve Smith and the St John Ambulance for providing the First Aid for today along with Critical Care nurse Emanuele Gerlando George Burrell and the Ruislip White Watch of London Fire Brigade  Met Police – community support arm  Sugi and her team of Vinci volunteers who came along and gave up their Friday to help set up To the huge army of volunteers who have helped prior and during the event, a huge thank you. This event would not be possible without your hard work, smiles, and energy. All the participants and supporters for taking part and for all your amazing fundraising efforts, we hope you enjoy the day! To our wonderful supporters who donated prizes for our tombola and wine, or water stands Bookers for their generosity and support of donating the water Georgia Miller and the Uxbridge District Explorer scouts for marshalling the course Mark Hensley and the Uxbridge Army Cadets Peter & Chris at Pen & Ink Graphics for their all help and continuous support Lorraine Blake and family for looking after the water point on the course Nicky Fisher for providing her enthusiasm and warm-up Futunity UK for coming along and blowing us all away Singing for Breathing Shaun and Gary for providing the music and entertainment Waqas for providing and piloting the drone And the amazing site services team