On Sunday 17^th September, Northamptonshire Health Charity, a local NHS charity, painted the town of Northampton orange and white as 65 dedicated runners for the charity participated in the first-ever Amazing Northampton Run. With many of the charity’s runners proudly donning their vibrant orange running shirts, they helped create a sea of orange throughout the town.

Northamptonshire Health Charity is the independent charitable fund supporting Northampton General Hospital, Kettering General Hospital and the community and mental health hospitals and services under Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust. Their runners signed up to the event to raise funds for equipment and projects that enhance patient care and experience across the local NHS hospitals and services they support, above and beyond what is provided by the NHS.

Community Fundraiser, Justine Cheadle coordinated the charity’s runners this year and expressed her gratitude, saying, “This is by far the most runners we’ve ever had take part in the Northampton Half Marathon raising money for us, since we started offering charity places in the event in 2019. We are really grateful to each and every single person who has trained hard, raised money for their chosen wards or departments. It has been amazing!”

Formerly known as the Northampton Half Marathon, the brand-new 13.1-mile route began and ended in Abington Street, taking runners on a scenic tour of the town, passing some of Northampton’s most iconic landmarks.

Over the summer, the charity’s dedicated runners tirelessly trained and fundraised, collectively raising a fantastic £16,347 to benefit a wide-range of departments. Funds will support the critical care units at NGH and KGH, NGH maternity and labour wards, the KGH special care baby unit, cancer services, palliative care, the charity’s major fundraising appeals, and many more besides.

Notable teams among the runners included Team Daisy, who ran in memory of Daisy Chalmers as part of their ongoing fundraising to support Northamptonshire Health Charity’s Daisy Suite Appeal, aiming to improve and enhance facilities at NGH for parents who have lost a baby. Additionally, regular supporters 4Theo put in a team once again, running in memory of Theo Crussell raising money to support the labour wards at NGH.

NHS Heroes also joined the cause, including five members of staff from the KGH Therapy team, a team from the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board and Healthcare Assistance and all-round Northamptonshire Health Charity champion, Mat Wright who was supporting palliative and end-of-life care at NGH.

There was also professional support from KB Sport Therapy, who offered free post-run sports massages to the charity’s runners. Other participants had the opportunity to enjoy these massages in exchange for a donation to the charity.

Justine said, “Thank you so much to everyone for helping to raise such a fantastic amount for our local NHS, the money will make such a big difference to patient care and experience in our hospitals. I’d also like to say a special thank you to the wonderful team at KB Sports Therapy who yet again gave up their time and skills for free to support us at the event. A big shoutout to the Wheatsheaf Dallington for kindly sponsoring the water and chocolate for our runners at the end of the race.”

Looking ahead, charity places will be available for next year’s Amazing Northampton Run. Furthermore, Northamptonshire Health Charity has been named the official charity partner for the Northampton 10K in June 2024, with registration opening soon on their website: https://northamptonshirehealthcharity.co.uk/