Runners Training for Theo's 10k

Runners Training for Theo's 10k

21 March 2009

A brave school boy from Chesterfield is lacing up his running shoes for The Children’s Hospital Charity’s annual 3k fun run - sponsored by Dransfield Properties.

Ben Murray, aged 7, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2005, is showing his support for the hospital and its charity by running the 3k fun run with his mum, Joanne.

Ben, who is currently in remission from leukaemia, wants to raise as much money as possible for the hospital where he has spent the past three years undergoing treatment.

 This year The Children’s Hospital Charity has teamed up with the City of Sheffield Athletics Club to host an even bigger, better 10k run and 3k fun run. The 10k race is a merger between ‘Theo’s 10k’ and the ‘Rother Valley 10k’. Both races and the fun run have proved very popular in previous years, and have attracted thousands of entrants. 

Already 1,250  runners have signed up for ‘Theo’s Rother Valley 10k’, which is taking place on Sunday 5 April 2009 at 12.00pm at Rother Valley Country Park. The 3k fun run starts at 11.00am.

 Joanne Murray, Ben’s mum, said:  “Ben and I wanted to do the fun run because the hospital has supported us over the last three years and as a family we just wanted to give something back. The hospital does so much for the children in its care and by supporting the run we want to help them continue their amazing work.”

 Simon Athey, senior fundraiser at The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are delighted that Ben and his mum are supporting our event and the charity. Ben is a really brave little boy and I hope he inspires more people to get involved with our 3k and 10k races.

 “The event is a perfect opportunity for runners of all abilities and ages to raise much needed funds for the hospital, get fit and have fun.”

Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: "We are delighted with the number of runners that are signed up and the Dransfield Team are all looking forward to taking part and raising as much money as possible for this fantastic cause."

 Last year Theo’s 10k and 3k raised £56,000 for the charity. The money has helped to provide ‘Patient Interactive Systems’ for children at the hospital. The systems allow hospital teachers and play specialists to work with the children and keep them up to speed with their school work.

 The systems also offer Sky TV, radio, telephone and internet access - which will not only enable patients to communicate easily with their families and friends but also assist in their social development.

 Those interested in joining Ben and his mum at ‘Theo’s Rother Valley 10k’ or at the 3k fun run, can enter online at www.theos10k.com  or contact The Children’s Hospital Charity Office on 0114 2717203.

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Notes to Editors:

The Children’s Hospital Charity

The charity exists to support and enhance the services of Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust and its reputation as a centre of excellence for the care, prevention and cure of childhood illnesses.

The money raised through our fundraising activities is invested in four key areas:

• Supporting medical research into the diagnosis and treatments of children’s illness and by assisting in the dissemination and applications of such research
• Assisting in the development of new facilities to extend the range of treatment and services being co-ordinated by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Providing specialist medical equipment to enhance the care programme of the

Trust

• Improving the environment for our patients, their families and visitors

For more information about The Children’s Hospital Charity please visit: www.tchcharity.org.uk

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust is one of only four dedicated children's hospital trusts in the UK providing integrated, highly specialist health care for children and young people in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond.

The Trust was rated as the best children’s NHS hospital trust in the country in the Healthcare Commission Annual Report 2008 and retained its ‘Excellent’ score in both the Quality of Service and Use of Resources categories.

Key services provided by the Trust include: neurosurgery, oncology, endocrinology, specialist orthopaedics, neonatal surgery, metabolic disease, respiratory diseases, intensive care, cystic fibrosis and neurology, A&E services, acute paediatrics, orthopaedics, child development, community paediatrics and services for children with neuro-disability and Child & Adolescent Mental Health services.

The Trust’s main hospital site is located on Western Bank, Sheffield. Other sites across the city are: Beighton Community Hospital, Centenary House, Flockton House, Oakwood Young People's Centre, Ryegate Children's Centre, Shirle Hill Hospital and St Peter's Close.

For more information about Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust visit: www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk.

For further information please contact: Jennifer Wilson, PR, Marketing and Communications Manager at The Children’s Hospital Charity on 0114 2260706 or email Jennifer.Wilson@sch.nhs.uk

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk