Six members of staff from Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, tackled the Great North Run this year, and have raised £3,090 for the town’s St Teresa’s Hospice. They were further delighted when Circle Health Group, which manages the hospital, boosted the total to more than £6,000 by matching what they raised.
Debbie Dobbs, Executive Director of Woodlands Hospital, said: “The current climate is immensely challenging for hospices right now, and when we asked the staff to choose our charity of the year, practically everybody wanted to support St Teresa’s. We’re so grateful to them for the incredible work they do, and to Circle Health Group for match funding what we raise for our local charities.”
The team also gave a special shout-out to Surgical Assistant Angela Clement – who posted the team’s fastest time – and Physiotherapy Assistant Mathew Bancroft, who didn’t originally intend to take part but stepped in when another Woodlands runner suffered an injury.
Victoria Raitt, Corporate Partnership Officer for St Teresa’s Hospice, said: “This is a wonderful gift to receive from the Woodlands Hospital team and Circle Health Group. The Great North Run is an iconic event, and the money raised by those who rise to its challenge has an outstanding impact on our hospice’s ability to deliver vital services to our communities. From all of us at St Teresa’s Hospice, thank you.”
As well as running the Great North Run, Woodlands Hospital staff have also raised money with Easter events, raffles, tombolas, and selling teddies in the hospital reception, with plans to carry on raising money through Christmas.
Mark Pinsent, Woodlands Hospital Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “This has been an incredible team effort – not just by those of us who ran, but across the wider staff team who have supported, sponsored, and encouraged us.“I thought I was retired from running, but visiting the hospice and seeing first-hand the amazing service they provide really got me back in the game, and I’m still running now.”
