Runners Raise over £1000 for Grace!

Two running novices have already pledged to enter the Coventry half-marathon again next year after completing the course to raise funds for the neonatal unit which cared for their friend’s “miracle” baby.

Suzanne Rogers and Clare Whelan completed the 2011 run in 2 hours 35 minutes and 2 hours 34 minutes respectively to collect £1,440 for the Grace Research Fund.

The duo chose the local charity after the care received by the premature baby of their friend Kerrie McCarthy and her fiancé, Paddy.

Jude, who was born at 32 weeks and cared for in Birmingham before being transferred to the University Hospital in Coventry on June 15.

The family, who live in Courthouse Green, Coventry, were able to bring Jude home on July 7 following the care he received in the neo-natal unit and he is steadily going from strength to strength.

Suzanne, who lives in Ash Green, and Clare, who lives in Chapelfields, have been friends with Kerrie for over ten years.

“We wanted to raise money for the Grace Research Fund after the fantastic care Jude and his parents received,” Suzanne said.

“Jude was born prematurely and the care he received from the hospitals in Birmingham and Coventry was simply first-class.

“He is home now and he is doing brilliantly – he is just perfect. We call him a miracle."

“We decided to put on our trainers and ask our friends, families and colleagues to sponsor us to take part in the Coventry half-marathon for the first time.

“We were aiming for a time of 2 hours 15 minutes but we were not expecting the heat which made it a lot more difficult.

“We’re going to keep on running and we’re going to enter in 2012 and hopefully finish in a better time.

“We are more than happy to raise money for the Grace Research Fund again because it is a great cause since it helps so many premature babies.”

Dr Andy Coe, Consultant Paediatrician at University Hospital, said the charity was grateful to fundraisers like Suzanne and Clare.

He said: “I greatly admire the efforts of Suzanne and Clare taking part in the half-marathon – my knees wouldn’t stand it!”

“The Grace Research Fund relies on the generosity and goodwill of people like Suzanne and Clare to continue the great work that we do.

“We know that times are tough for everyone but they beat their £1,000 fundraising target in tremendous style and we thank everyone who has supported them and in turn, helped babies like Jude.”

PICTURE CAPTION: Back, from the left, Suzanne Rogers and Clare Whelan. Front, Dr Andy Coe and Kerrie McCarthy with her son, Jude, at the neo-natal unit at the University Hospital in Coventry

Everyone at GRF is incredibly grateful to Clare, Suzanne and their supporters!!! There is still time to show your support for our fantastic runners at:

http://www.justgiving.com/clareandsuzanneforgrace

Well done Clare and Suzanne!