Petersfield, Hampshire – Imogen Scott-Plummer, Senior Physiotherapist on Cedar Ward at Petersfield Community Hospital, and Kate
Craig, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, are leading a team of NHS employees in the Great South Run this October to raise crucial funds for Brighterway, a charity dedicated to supporting NHS patients and staff.
Brighterway is committed to enhancing patient care at Southern Health by raising funds to provide support beyond what NHS budgets can provide.
Imogen’s 15-strong team, comprised of colleagues from various Petersfield Hospital departments, aims to raise money for Brighterway to support their Rehabilitation Together initiative. In addition to the Great South Run, they’re also participating in a 5 km charity
run the day before the big race – so people are encouraged to support their sterling efforts via their running a JustGiving page.
About Rehabilitation Together
Rehabilitation Together is Petersfield Hospital’s current priority fundraising initiative – it’s a key driver for ensuring they can afford vital new equipment and patient resources. This includes additional therapy that exceeds what the NHS is able to provide, iPads for patients to be able to complete their exercises, and proprietary equipment that will dramatically enhance the level of care they can deliver.
As Imogen says, “Rehabilitation Together is about coming together as one team to ensure excellence in rehabilitation.”
A Personal Commitment to Giving Back
Imogen, 50, and Kate, 42, both have deep ties to the Hampshire community. Having lived in the area for over a decade, Imogen in particular has been actively involved in various local initiatives, with Kate’s role more recently involving her with local health initiatives.
Imogen started running just two years ago, inspired by her interest in triathlons and a desire to support mental health and wellness charities. Her previous fundraising efforts include a 50K ultramarathon in Finland, where she raised money for two charities, Rock to Recovery and Mind. For Imogen, the connection to running is not just physical but deeply personal
– it’s about making a tangible difference in people’s lives, particularly patients she serves at Petersfield Hospital.
Imogen completed a Finnish 50 km ultramarathon to fundraise for Mind
and Rock to Recovery
Kate’s motivation for participating comes from her experience with her grandfather’s hospital journey. “He was in and out of hospital, and I always wondered how much more he could have benefited if he had access to the type of rehabilitation services we provide here,” Kate said, reflecting on her personal reasons for supporting Brighterway.
Why Brighterway?
Brighterway plays an instrumental role in enhancing patient care by funding items and activities that fall outside of the NHS’s standard provision – something that’s highly meaningful and relevant to Imogen, Kate, and their colleagues.
Over the years, Brighterway has supplied equipment like RETA, a dementia support system, and provided resources for exercise classes – innovations that significantly improve the patient experience. Imogen emphasises that their efforts, like those for additional therapy equipment such as exercise balls and stairs, aim to enhance the rehabilitation process for
patients on the Cedar Ward and beyond.
“We’re working to plug the gap between what the NHS can provide and what we know could further improve our patients’ quality of life. This means acquiring equipment that might not be available under the standard NHS budget,” she says. “We want to ensure that the care we provide is as comprehensive and cutting-edge as possible.”
Training for a Cause
Preparation for the Great South Run has been a team-building experience at Petersfield Hospital. Imogen, Kate, and their colleagues have engaged in various training regimens, each at their own pace. Imogen, a seasoned runner, has been incorporating plyometrics into her routine, focusing on building the endurance needed for the 10-mile race, while Kate has
been training to hopefully beat her personal best of 32 minutes for a 5K run.
Despite their different fitness levels, both runners agree that the day is more about camaraderie and mutual support than competition. Imogen highlights the team spirit that has developed within the hospital: “It’s been inspiring to see how many people, including some who have never run before, are joining in.”
Great South Run and Brighterway’s Impact
The Great South Run, a 10-mile race held annually in Portsmouth, is one of the UK’s premier road races, attracting elite athletes, charity runners, and local participants alike. The event is not only a significant athletic challenge but also a platform for participants to raise millions of pounds for charitable causes.
Brighterway, the charity benefiting from the hospital team’s efforts, supports Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust by providing funds for therapeutic equipment, gardens and greenspaces, wellbeing activities, and enhanced care experiences. Previous fundraising efforts by the Petersfield Hospital team include abseiling down Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower, where Imogen, Kate, and their colleague Angela Roberts raised money for
garden furniture for Cedar Ward’s patients.
Kate completing the daring Spinnaker Tower charity abseil for
Brighterway in June 2024
Imogen and the Brighterway Spinnaker Tower team, June 2024
Support from Family and Community
On race day, the team will have the full support of their families and the local community. “Everyone has been incredibly supportive,” Kate shares. “Our colleague Ollie will even be FaceTiming his family in the Philippines during the race, which is just amazing.” Many of their family members will be there in person, cheering them on as they cross the finish line, celebrating not only the physical accomplishment but the funds raised for a cause that means so much to them.
Looking Forward
The Petersfield Hospital team is excited for race day and the opportunity to give back to the community. “For me, it’s not about being the fastest. I’ll be happy to be at the back, ensuring everyone crosses the finish line,” says Imogen, reflecting on the spirit of inclusion and teamwork that this event has fostered.
The team is calling on the local community to support their efforts by donating to their fundraising link, which can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/petersfield-hospital-team. With the funds raised, they hope to continue making a difference in the lives of the patients they care for, ensuring Petersfield Hospital remains a beacon of excellent care in the community.
To interview Kate or Imogen please email meredyth@charliecharlieone.co.uk To donate to Imogen and Kate’s fundraising efforts, visit their JustGiving page here.
