Back garden run for Barts

With mass participation events cancelled because of the coronavirus, many supporters planning runs have been left disappointed. But these six friends are not letting the virus put a stop to their plans, and decided to run 5ks in their back gardens instead.

Stephen, Gary, Samuel, Jamie, Duncan and Matt decided that they wanted to do their bit for the community. Stephen says, “We felt the NHS are really stretched right now, so if we could add something that could help it would be good.”

They each have their own connections to the hospitals: “Some of us have lost people at Whipps Cross and we wanted to give something back. Duncan works for the NHS and Matt’s mother is a nurse at Whipps Cross, so he wanted to be able to support her.”

NHS staff are amazing for what they do and the local community are here to help.

Stephen, fundraiser

“We picked a garden exercise as we wanted to do something that followed the lockdown guidelines and that anyone could do.” Stephen says, “We also thought that some of our gardens are so small that it would be a real challenge!”

Jamie had originally planned to run the London Marathon this April but due to lockdown restrictions, the Marathon has been delayed until October. He’s enjoying the garden 5k fundraiser as it gives him a chance to turn the situation into something positive and support his local hospitals instead.

Their families and friends have been extremely supportive, helping the team raise over £1,200 already.

Stephen thinks this just goes to show how much people are rallying behind the NHS. “I would like to say to any NHS staff: you’re amazing for what you do and the local community are here to help.”