FIVE members of staff from Dudley's hospitals will be putting on their running shoes to take part in the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon this weekend.

The five, who all work at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, will be among 50,000 runners taking part in the event on Sunday October 3.

They are raising money for the Trust’s charity, which aims to improve the experience of patients at Russells Hall Hospital and in the community by providing comfort and facilities above and beyond those provided by the NHS.

Claire Macdiarmid, matron for maternity inpatients, is one of the runners taking part.

No stranger to marathons or fundraising, she raised nearly £3,500 in support of the charity’s Baby Bereavement Suite Appeal in 2019.

By taking part in this event, she said she hopes to raise funds to help "make the experience of all women giving birth the best it can be”.

Lead pharmacist for stroke and elderly care Andrew Lee, an experienced middle-distance runner, is also taking part.

He said: “I enjoy keeping fit and running a whole marathon has always been something I have wanted to do. When the opportunity came about, I did not think twice and put myself forward.”

Fellow lead pharmacist, Rajeev Kumar, is a keen football player and cyclist but has always wanted to run a marathon.

He said: “I have seen first-hand the hard work and determination of my colleagues, particularly through the pandemic, and decided I wanted to show my appreciation by fundraising in support of them.”

Sue Hammond works in the clinical governance team at the Dudley Group, and is taking on her first running event. She said: “I am always up for a challenge, and the marathon is a perfect opportunity for me to push myself.”

District nurse Matthew Welch, who has worked for the Trust for 11 years, is the final runner from the trust set to take on the challenge.

He decided to apply for a marathon place after a significant fitness journey during the past few years and he said: “What better way to celebrate this fitter and healthier me that to run a marathon for the Trust charity!”

Nithee Kotecha, fundraising and community development lead for Dudley Group NHS Charity, said: “We were delighted to be awarded five places for the virtual marathon and I know the five people taking part will do us proud.

"They are all eager to raise as much money for the charity as they can, because they see what a difference it makes to the experience of our patients at what can sometimes be the most difficult time of their lives.”

The virtual marathon is taking place alongside the London Marathon, with runners having to complete a 26.2 mile run on that day.

It has to be done outside, so no treadmills, and the distance is tracked via an app.

Dudley councillor Steve Waltho is also taking on the virtual marathon for the Dudley Group NHS Charity and will be running laps around Himley Hall to complete the total 26.2 miles, watched on by family and friends.

To find out more visit facebook.com/events/202461744895945.