I remember it well

A long, dark February night, snuggled under the favourite blankie, cuddled up on the sofa, one eye on the TV, scrolling through phone messages.

“Jean! Enter the ballot for a place on the Great North Run !”

Without a moment’s thought Jean did just that. The thought process began after the submit button was pressed.

I hadn’t run anything beyond a tap since my last Great North Run in 2021 – well I might have run amok occasionally, but that didn’t count. Since then I have entered a new decade of biblical proportions.

My only hope was not to make the ballot…..

A few weeks later “Congratulations Jean!” etc etc. I was working in SDEC and shared the news with my colleagues who clearly thought I was bonkers. Dr Robin had also answered the call to ballot but had been unsuccessful.

I couldn’t not do it now but to make sure I didn’t wiggle out I pledged to support the Cancer Centre at Milton Keynes Hospital.

More weeks later I reluctantly set out on my first tentative run. Even with stops on a mere 5K I wobbled home feeling as though my lungs were going to burst through my throat. Despite mediocre enthusiasm for training it’s going OK. With 6 weeks to go I’m almost up to the required 20K. The run starts around 1100 on Sunday 8th September and I’m aiming to be finished by teatime the following Tuesday!

Now, for what I find the hardest part of my venture.

I have the greatest difficulty in asking anything of anyone. I am asking you please to sponsor me to raise funds for our Cancer Centre here in Milton Keynes Hospital.

At the beginning of the year I thought I’d try a few Bank Shifts in the unit and have been there ever since. Every shift I am deeply impressed and humbled by the courage, dignity and determination of our patients as they negotiate a barrage of bio/psycho/ social challenges associated with the treatments to enable them to live their best lives for as long as possible.

A staff of many disciples work together with patients and their loved ones to ease the journey in any way possible. Of course, this extends beyond statutory clinical services and includes volunteers serving refreshments and keeping the patient’s company during hours of treatments and the many invaluable services and facilities provided by Macmillan, a charitable organisation. As a charitable organisation, the funding for the great works carried out by Macmillan is dependent on donations.

Please would you sponsor me for my Great North Run so we can raise some cash to support our Cancer Centre serving the Milton Keynes area to continue to provide services and resources to people with cancer and their families.

With the assistance and support of Milton Keynes Hospital Charity I have set up this Just Giving Page so you too can complete a short form, press submit and join me in My Great North Run – no sweat !!

Thank you

Jean Reilly Vaughan