31 October 2023

Sweeping past spectacular sights including HMS Victory and the Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth Hospitals Charity’s 60 strong team of runners took on the Great South Run on Sunday 15 October to fundraise for wards and departments of their choice.

Thanks to those taking part for the charity - which supports Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) - more than £15,000 has been raised to help patients and staff at sites across PHU.

Various participants representing Portsmouth Hospitals Charity also ran for personal reasons, including Tom Weeks, who was keen to give back to the hospital teams caring for his 82-year-old father, Jim, who received a life-saving kidney transplant last year.

Tom Weeks pictured with his dad Jim (above left) and his mum

46-year-old Tom - who completed the event that takes place just six miles from where Jim received his treatment at Queen Alexandra Hospital - said: “I’m so thankful to the hospital’s renal teams who helped my Dad back to health and it’s amazing that just a year on after his transplant, Dad enjoys a superior life and his energy now is no comparison.

“So, to run today’s event was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed supporting Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, as it’s such a worthwhile cause.”

Additional runners included Head of Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, Kate Sandys, who finished her second Great South Run.

Kate said: “It’s amazing to see so many runners support Portsmouth Hospitals Charity through the Great South Run and help enhance our Trust’s patient care and staff wellbeing.

“I loved taking part, running past so many of our great Portsmouth sites, as well as seeing so many of my fellow runners wearing the charity t-shirts; all making for a fantastic experience on the day.

“So, thank you so much to our runners, those who’ve donated and supported us along the way, including at the Great South Run cheering points.”

If you’re inspired to sign up to take part in the Great South Run for Portsmouth Hospitals Charity in the future, email fundraising@porthosp.nhs.uk.