Member Article

Great big push - Grace Research Fund

A mad dash with participants in fancy dress is set to raise thousands of pounds for the Grace Research Fund to coincide with World Prematurity Day.

Nurses and doctors from the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire will be involved in The Great Big Push alongside families and friends of premature babies, who have been helped by staff at local hospitals, and students from the University of Warwick and Coventry University.

The teams will be pushing brightly decorated shopping trollies and buggies for eight miles, leaving the University Hospital at 11am to the finishing line at the University of Warwick’s Cryfield Pavilion on Saturday, November 15.

Teams of four are encouraged to enter and raise money for the Grace Research Fund which funds research into the causes of premature births and the best forms of neonatal care.

Teams can choose to push a small shopping trolley (provided by the organisers), a buggy or any other item that can be pushed without being dangerous and they are encouraged to be as creative as they can with their decorations with previous teams choosing Harry Potter, superheroes and Toy Story themes.

Dr Andy Coe, consultant paediatrician at University Hospital, said he hoped the fun event would inspire people to raise money for the Grace Research Fund.

“The last time we held The Great Big Push we raised £6,000, but we want to improve on those achievements,” he said. “This event is only successful because of the generous and enthusiastic efforts of everyone who takes part.

“The work which the Grace Research Fund supports makes a difference to thousands of lives and The Great Big Push is a fun way of raising money for a charity based in Coventry and Warwickshire.

“Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed team, the team who raises the most money and a wooden spoon will be given to the team who finishes last.”

To register a team (which costs £10 per adult, £5 for students and children aged 15 and under are free), email graceresearchfund@warwick.ac.uk or visit www.graceresearchfund.org The ticket price includes a buffet meal at the University of Warwick Cryfield Pavilion and hot drinks during the route.

Starbucks in Broadgate is providing complimentary hot drinks for all participants, Kendall’s of Earlsdon Delicatessen is offering a £1 drink and snack offers for everyone who takes part, Cannon Park shopping centre is allowing teams to travel through the centre, collecting for the Grace Research Fund along the way, and Coventry City Council has granted an event and collection licence for the event.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .