UHP staff and supporters encouraged to join the NHS Blue Wave in Plymouth
There will be a special shade of blue at Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival this May, as staff and supporters from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) create a blue wave at Devon’s biggest day of running.
NHS staff, their families, friends, and the public are being encouraged to run, jog or walk to complete the 5K, 10k or half marathon route, all in the name of supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing. Runners are encouraged to support Plymouth Hospitals Charity who have funded places for members of staff and hope to raise funds for Derriford Hospital and other satellite sites.
Sarah Brampton, Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at UHP has welcomed the initiative and plans to take part on May 11th to show her support, saying: “I am thrilled to be joining the NHS Blue Wave, where I’ll be taking part alongside a wonderful team of colleagues from across the Trust. Together we’ll be taking on one of the distances to show that everyone can get involved in community events like these.”
“We hugely value our staff, as we know patients do, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to promote their health and wellbeing, get involved in the community and celebrate the NHS. I’m looking forward to a special day.”
Up to 12,000 people in total will be taking part in the event which runs through the streets of Plymouth. Starting and finishing on the Plymouth Hoe, the course will be packed with live music, charity cheering points, boost zones and incredible support from thousands of spectators.
NHS Blue Wave entrants will be supported with training plans, motivational tips, a blue tee shirt to wear on event day and access to leisure facilities at the NHS Derriford site.
Corinne Smith, Head of Plymouth Hospitals Charity, the Official NHS Charity for University Hospitals Plymouth, is encouraging staff and supporters to take part for them. “We are thrilled to be part of this incredible event and encourage as many people as possible to join in or join us, to cheer along the way. With people fundraising and supporting the NHS all the funds we raise will go towards making things better for people in hospital”
Suzi Cumberland, Managing Director of event organisers Taurus Events, said, “We are very proud to be supporting NHS staff mental and physical well-being through this initiative, which will see a huge team of runners, joggers and walkers taking part in what’s an iconic and uplifting day in Plymouth. We’ll all be cheering on the blue waves!”
For more information, please contact Plymouth Hospitals Charity at phcharityteam@nhs.net
