A Keele University Director is running this year’s London Marathon to raise money for the hospital charity that helped her daughter.

Rachel Adams, Director of Human Resources, is running to raise money for University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM) Charity, which supports staff at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford to help them provide the best possible care to people in the local area.

Rachel saw the charity’s work first-hand earlier this year, when her daughter Emma spent five weeks as an inpatient at the Royal Stoke hospital. During her stay she took part in art sessions with a local art specialist funded by the charity, helping to improve her wellbeing and recovery.

Now, Rachel is taking on the Marathon to say thank you to the staff at the hospital and to support the charity in their vital work, and is hoping to raise £1,000 to support them.

She said: “Through my work at Keele and our close links with the NHS and local hospitals, I've been aware of UHNM Charity but it was my personal experience earlier this year that has motivated me to want to fundraise for them.

“My training is on track, but I managed to sustain a back injury which happily has been resolved with some help from the University's physiotherapy clinic, run by staff and students from the School of Allied Health Professionals. I've also been training at the University’s Sports Centre when the weather's been unpleasant and, of course, our campus provides a wonderful environment for running.

“I'm so pleased to be able to support UHNM Charity and am very grateful to friends and colleagues who are able to donate to this very good cause.”

Steve Rushton, UHNM Charity Manager said: “We are delighted that Rachel will be taking on the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon to raise vital funds for children’s services and the arts at UHNM. Through being creative, our Arts Specialist plays an important role encouraging our younger patients to better understand their thoughts and feelings during an inpatient stay or clinic, and Rachel’s fundraising will ensure more of our patients can benefit from this service.”

To donate, visit the fundraising page here.