Virtual relay brings in more than £1,000 for Trust
A team of runners from Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) took part in a virtual relay spanning 17 hours and three countries to raise funds for good causes.
Called "Don't pass it on", the event was organised by Norfolk Gazelles running club and took place on 31 May, starting at 6am. Legs were held in Norfolk, Cheshire, Dubai and Australia – where two Gazelles' runners are currently based – with participants carrying "weird and wonderful" batons for their hour-long stint on the road.
The team from NSFT raised around £1,300 for the Trust through the challenge, while other participants have raised money for Nelson's Journey and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity.
Karen Rix (pictured), Deputy Director Contracts, Performance and Information at NSFT, came up with the idea to enter. She said: "Norfolk Gazelles is a great, and really inclusive club, and this is just the sort of thing that they love doing.
"Each year, the Gazelles support charities directly, while individual members also run for their own charities. When the email came round advertising the event, I immediately thought of TeamNSFT and what a fun thing it could be if we could get a full team together.
"Running has helped me over the years to deal with the pressures of daily life and I know lots of people at NSFT feel the same. We had a great response to the call for participants and attracted a number of people who aren't regular runners. That was really great as it's the team spirit that was so important with this event, as well as the donation to charity."
TeamNSFT will be joining the relay again this summer, with money this year going to the Priscilla Bacon Lodge and MIND.