Therapy Radiographer takes on mud-run for Jessie May

A radiographer is preparing to brave the elements in a 10 mile charity mud-run for Swindon children's hospice Jessie May.

A Therapy Radiographer from Bradford-on-Avon is teaming up with her colleagues at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) to take on a 10 mile hill-climbing mud-run in support of local children’s charity Jessie May.  

Bradford-on-Avon-based Therapy Radiographer Ellie Cradock, 34, is preparing for the gruelling 10 mile Sodbury Slog with her Therapy Radiographer colleagues Emily Duguid, 40, Amy Richardson, 29, Sophie Owen, 27, Sarah Hebert, 35 and Lauren Beckett, 31. The group have signed up to the Sodbury Slog to raise funds for Jessie May, whose nurses provide at-home hospice care to local terminally ill children. 

The infamous race, held on Remembrance Sunday, covers 10 miles of off-road running through muddy obstacles and water-filled ditches, kicking off at Chipping Sodbury Sports Centre.

All six Therapy Radiographers, who treat children with cancer in the Radiotherapy department of BHOC, will put on their running shoes for ‘The Slog’ on Sunday 11 November in support of Jessie May. The team are fundraising via their Virgin Money Giving page at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/TeamRadiotherapy

Ellie, who has been a Therapy Radiographer for seven years, said: “Working in radiotherapy, we see the importance of at-home hospice care for young children as provided by Jessie May. Too often families have to struggle to provide the support needed not only for their terminally ill child, but also for the siblings and all those affected by these difficult diagnoses.

“If running through mud, hills and ditch water can help inspire individuals to part with their hard earned cash, then I'll gladly suffer the frozen toes!.”

Fellow Therapy Radiographer Emily said: “The 10 mile multi-terrain course is sure to provide us with a challenge, however we are determined to succeed to raise funds for this important cause.

“We give treatment to children with cancer in the Radiotherapy department at Bristol however there are a few children who sadly may not survive their illness. Jessie May allows children with life limiting illnesses to be properly cared for in their own homes and also provides their families with valuable support.

“It is our privilege to raise money to help these children and their families. Please support us if you can by making a donation via our Virgin Money Giving page at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/TeamRadiotherapy - every penny is gratefully received.”

The team have already raised £325 for the charity, and are rallying for supporters to donate before and during the event so they can reach their £600 target - £100 per Therapy Radiographer.

Helen Mackie, Community Fundraising Officer at Jessie May, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to have this wonderful team take on the lung-busting, shoe-ruining mud run that is ‘The Slog! in support of Jessie May!

“We are continuously astounded at our supporters’ efforts to fundraise for our charity, and this incredible team of Therapy Radiographers have chosen a particularly hardcore challenge for us. They’re certainly getting messy for Jessie!”

“In this case, it is extremely moving to have support from a group whose work is so close to our own here at Jessie May. Our caseload is growing and we rely heavily on support from fundraisers to help us help local families, who need our nurses’ vital respite support, emotional support, end of life care and bereavement support.

“We hope our amazing ‘Team Radiotherapy’ have an amazing time during The Slog – break a leg – but please also try not to!”

The Sodbury Slog, which attracts around 1,200 runners annually, takes place on Sunday 11 November, starting at Chipping Sodbury Sports Centre, Bowling Road, BS37 6EW. The race is preceded by an exhortation, a two-minute silence, and playing of the Last Post. The race is then started at 11:10am.

To make a donation to Jessie May on the Therapy Radiographers’ fundraising page, visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com