Senior charge nurse at the Centre for Clinical Haematology (CCH), Dave Waldron, and Cure Leukaemia staff members Georgia Thomas and Andrew Wilkes are ready to take on the 13.1mile Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run on Sunday.

The team has already raised over £5,000 for Cure Leukaemia with Dave’s JustGiving page currently at over £4,200. Dave has received many donations from patients, families and staff who benefit from the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE) in Birmingham.

Dave said: “I am really looking forward to the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run and I am very proud to be representing Cure Leukaemia. We now work in a fantastic Centre here at the QE which has made a huge impact on the lives of both patients and staff who use it and without Cure Leukaemia this wouldn’t have been possible.

“I am immensely grateful to everyone who has donated already and, given the support I have already have I have now set a fundraising target of £10,000. I know, first hand, that every penny raised for this great charity will directly help save the lives of blood cancer patients. Whilst great progress is being made, we still see too many patients die from this cruel disease and that’s why we will always do what we can to help.”

Fiona MacNab from Lichfield was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in July last year and has been treated at the CCH by Cure Leukaemia co-founder Professor Charlie Craddock CBE. She had this message for Dave and the team:

“I would like to wish every success to Dave and all the Cure Leukaemia running family who are taking part in the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run.

I am sure the race is a great personal challenge as well as also raising valuable funds for the charity, so everyone is a winner!”

Georgia Thomas, is the daughter of ex England, Crystal Palace and Wolves footballer Geoff Thomas, and has been in the role of fundraising co-ordinator since the spring. She said:

“This is my first half marathon and I am really looking forward to the experience. I was very young when my dad was diagnosed with leukaemia so I am eternally thankful to the doctors and nurses that saved his life giving me 15 years with dad that could have been without him.

“I’m very proud to be working and now running for Cure Leukaemia knowing that I am helping other people keep their loved ones alive. I am sure it will be tough but I am determined to finish and I am sure it will be emotional crossing that finish line with dad watching on.”

Andrew Wilkes started as Cure Leukaemia’s Head of Finance in January this year and can’t wait for the event:

“I ran the Great Birmingham 10km earlier this year and really enjoyed it so it seemed the logical progression to then take on the half marathon!

It has been so inspiring to meet patients since starting here and I hope I can hit my £500 fundraising target.”