Over 50 runners take to the streets for Potters 'Arf Marathon

A record number of runners took to the streets of the Potteries on Sunday 11 June to run the famous Potters 'Arf Marathon and raise thousands of pounds for UHNM Charity. 

Former patients along with their friends and families joined members of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) staff and other healthcare professionals to tackle the 13.1-mile course in glorious sunshine to help us improve the patient care and experience at UHNM.

Runners tackled the course individually or as part of relay teams, and there was also a dedicated walker's and children's race. 

Lisa Thomson, Director of Communications and Charity at UHNM said: “We were thrilled again to be taking an active role in the great Potters ‘Arf with UHNM Charity named as one of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s chosen charities. We’re delighted so many people took to the streets of the Potteries and help raise much-needed funds to bring the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment to our hospitals.”

Fundraiser Laurence Shave said:  “I was excited and nervous ahead of the race. I’d done my training but wasn’t expecting the heat! My daughter Nancy was taken seriously ill on Boxing Day- she had a number of lung complications and all the staff at Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke worked tirelessly for two weeks to keep her alive so she could have the specialist treatment she needed before making a full recovery.”

Fundraiser Joseph Mayer added: “The Potters ‘Arf is a fantastic event with huge support from the local community and today has been a great day. I wanted to run for UHNM Charity because it’s an amazing charity that contributes significantly towards the Cardiology Department at UHNM where I work. I hope to run again next year and beat my time today.”