Celebrity doctor leads the way as Swansea Bay NHS@75 parkrun proves a big hit
Celebrity TV doctor Hussain Al-Zubaidi joined Swansea Bay runners to help mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS with a special parkrun event.
Dr Al-Zubaidi, who has a regular health advice slot on Channel Four’s ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch’, was in the area to taking part in a trails running event and decided to don his trainers to support the special 5k adult run on Saturday.
And in the event, the keen triathlete, who is also the Royal College of General Practitioners lead on lifestyle and physical activity, crossed the finishing line in first place.
Pictured: Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi with Swansea Bay Health Charity staff Jonathan Evans (left) and Cathy Stevens (right)
“There was an excellent turn-out, with many runners wearing NHS blue to help us celebrate the NHS’ 75th birthday, which is what this weekend’s parkrun events were all about,” said event organiser Mark Faulkner.
“It was also great to have a celebrity guest runner in Dr Al-Zubaidi, who showed the way by crossing the line first and also did a short speech for us to congratulate and encourage everyone who took part.”
The parkrun course is a ‘there and back’ trip along the Promenade from St Helen’s to Blackpill.
Swansea Bay's Health Charity, which supports lots of great initiatives for our health board, were in attendance to raise funds and runners, volunteers and spectators were also invited to make a £2 donation.
The charity also staged a raffle while there were also NHS 75th birthday cakes on sale for runners who had worked up an appetite.
“It was fantastic to play our part in the birthday celebration and raise the profile of our health board charity,” said fundraising officer Cathy Stevens.
- If this story has inspired you to raise funds for your local NHS, then the Swansea Bay Health Charity would love to hear from you.
Swansea Bay Health Charity (registered charity number 1122805) is the official charity of Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Swansea Bay Health Charity (registered charity number 1122805) is the official charity of Swansea Bay University Health Board.
It plays a vital role in raising money for projects and activities that support patients, while it also supports a range of projects to improve the working conditions and support available to staff.
Nearly all wards and departments have their own fund, which all come under the Swansea Bay Health Charity umbrella. So if someone wants to give something back for the care they or a loved one has received, the charity ensures the funds raised will go directly there.
The charity does not replace NHS funding but uses generations donations received from patients, their families, staff and local communities to provide above and beyond what they NHS can provide.
Email the charity team at: swanseabay.healthcharity@wales.nhs.uk.
To find out more, follow this link to the Swansea Bay Health Charity website.
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