Having fun while doing good: medical students hold a dress running for funding

Cardiff University Pediatric Society supports a local children’s charity by raising money through fun runs.

CUPS members just finished the Cardiff Bay run for cancer care.  Photo Cred: CUPS, modified by the author

Medical students in Cardiff University are fundraising for children hospital by hosting a Christmas themed fancy-dress 5k run in Bute Park.

Cardiff University Pediatric Society organized this running campaign to share the Christmas cheer and fundraise for Noah’s ark Children’s Hospital Charity this Saturday.

“This most important reason I join this activity is my nephew, he passed away this year, he was only 3 years old,” said the medical student Isabella.

She said: “He transferred to Noah’s ark in April, they did everything they possibly could to save his life and went above and beyond to ensure we were all supported the whole time.”

CUPS are running for Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2019.  Photo Cred: CUPS, modified by the author

According to Noah’s Ark, there is increased demand for ventilators especially this winter as the hospital sees a marked increase in bronchiolitis cases post-lockdowns. 

“I was scared,” said Isabella. “I was an intern in the hospital during the Covid outbreak, in the middle of building a whole ward full of beds with ventilators were set up in the car park… that’s the moment I realized how important this machine is.”

“The ventilator that we raise money for can use on children aged anywhere between 3 and 4 right up to adult-sized rugby playing teenagers,” said Isabella. “Having the additional ventilators means we can care for as many children as possible without the need for intubation.”

The V60s ventilator for critically ill children. Photo cred: Noah’s Ark Hospital

She said: “I want to raise as much money as we can in Reid’s memory for Noah’s Ark, he would’ve loved this.”