Our family fun day at Kia Oval starts with a blast

The first ever Evelina London 5K run at the Kia Oval saw nearly 100 people take part to help fundraise for our children’s hospital.

The 5K run launched the Evelina London family fun day that was hosted by the Kia Oval on Saturday 13 September.

The run started with a warm-up led by Surrey Cricket Club’s mascot, Caesar the Lion, before he blasted the horn for participants to start the 5K circuit.

Cricketer Tim Linley joined patients, families and members of staff as they sprinted, strolled or scooted seven laps around the Oval grounds.

Hebe Barber, 10, has been a patient at Evelina London for eight years. She says: “I’ve been training with my mum for the 5K because I want to raise money for Evelina London – they are amazing. I also raised £600 from a sponsored 62-length swim.”

Patients past and present came from all over the south east of England to have fun and show their support and appreciation for Evelina London.

“I’m here because Evelina London saved my daughter’s life” said mum Charmaine Kember, from Gillingham in Kent.

Her daughter Annabelle Verney, 5, was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), which causes swelling to the brain, after being transferred to Evelina London from her local hospital.

Hundreds of families at the fun day also enjoyed activities including a ‘scootathon’, arts and crafts tables, Vauxhall City Farm, go karts, cricket net sessions, tours of the Kia Oval, and much more.

The event has so far raised £8,000 with money still to come in.

Together We Can, our fundraising team, organised the event and is already planning bigger and better event for next year.