Annual Santa Fun Run raises £17,500 for local hospital services

Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s 16th annual Santa Fun Run, held on Sunday, (30 November) in Colchester Castle Park, brought together around 350 festive runners, raising an impressive £17,500 to support patients, staff and services across East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT). 

 

Participants of all ages joined the 2.5km and 5km routes, spreading festive cheer while raising vital funds for hospital projects including the new Time Garden Appeal for Ipswich Hospital, the Cancer Wellbeing Centres and many more great causes. 

 

Among those taking part was Martin Hucker, who ran in memory of his husband Graham Read, a much-loved OCS staff member at ESNEFT. Martin was joined by friends, family and many of Graham’s former colleagues, who came together to honour his memory. 

 

Martin and his group (left) have personally raised over £1147, contributing to the event total through their JustGiving page. Martin shared, “Running through Castle Park today with so many people who cared about Graham was incredibly moving. We wanted to do something positive in his memory, and knowing that our fundraising will support great causes like the Time Garden and the Cancer Wellbeing Centre, which Graham and I found so important in our journey.” 

 

Gavin Lamb, the charity’s corporate and events fundraising manager, said: 

“We are absolutely thrilled with the continued support for our Santa Fun Run. To welcome so many runners wanting to show how much they value their local NHS means a great deal to us. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone that supported us including the participants, suppliers, our sponsor Sodexo, and volunteers who made this event possible. Their support and commitment has been truly inspiring. Together, they have made a significant difference to the lives of patients, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity."