Epic 61-mile run to support the Evelina Children's Hospital

Thursday 4 October 2012


David Dean

Non-executive director at Guy’s and St Thomas’, David Dean, is attempting to run a staggering 61 miles – the equivalent of nearly two and a half marathons. He is planning to raise funds for a state-of-the-art tandem mass spectrometer to benefit patients at the Evelina Children’s Hospital.

The tandem mass spectrometer is next generation state-of-the-art clinical diagnostic equipment used to quickly diagnose a range of inherited diseases and critical organ failure in children and new born babies. The equipment can screen for diseases that few other centres can screen for, including metabolic, neurological, kidney, liver, heart and haematological. It will also enable the hospital to run national screening programmes for children locally and further afield.

This amazing feat will see David running between 19 hospitals located within London’s north and south circular roads as part of the Trust’s 2012 Challenge.

More than 2,500 staff are taking part in the 2012 Challenge and each team must compete in five categories based on the Olympic themes: getting healthy, fundraising, volunteering, changing the way we work, and creating positive memories of 2012. Staff have gone to huge efforts for the challenge, from one member of staff walking 45 miles to work and a team trekking Mount Kilimanjaro.

“I’m aiming to finish the run in 12 hours,” said David. “I’m now in the middle of a training programme that means I have to run more than 50 miles a week. It will be very difficult, but raising money to make a difference to the lives of our young patients is very inspiring. Our staff provide amazing care and the money raised for this equipment will make a huge difference to children and their families by diagnosing diseases early so our patients can receive the right treatment for their condition.”

David will be running on Monday 8 October. To cheer him on, members of staff will run with him towards the end of the route.

Evelina Children’s Hospital is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’, and cares for around 100,000 children every year, from birth to adulthood. It offers a range of specialist services including children’s brain surgery and heart surgery.

Visit David’s fundraising page.

David will be running between the following hospitals: Guy's, King’s College, Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Woolwich, Newham General, The Royal London, Homerton, Whipps Cross, North Middlesex, The Whittington, Royal Free, Central Middlesex, Hammersmith, Charing Cross, Chelsea and Westminster, St Mary's, University College, Barts, St Thomas' and the Evelina Children’s Hospital.

Last updated: March 2022

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