HOLY CROSS Hospital has thanked fund-raisers, runners and supporters after receiving a cheque for £2,600 from the proceeds of the popular Boxing Day Run across the Devil’s Punchbowl.

“A huge thank you to Matt Dellar who organises the Boxing Day Run each year, the many runners who braved the chilly December weather and all the supporters, volunteers and sponsors who helped make it happen,” said Dr Ross White, chief executive of Holy Cross Hospital.

“Putting on an event like that while the nation was still struggling with the difficulties of life in a pandemic was a big undertaking. Matt and his team did a sensational job in making sure the event went safely and that everyone enjoyed themselves. A massive thank you and well done from all of us at Holy Cross.”

Like many health and care settings, Covid has presented extra costs and challenges to Holy Cross Hospital and made fundraising increasingly difficult. The Boxing Day Run, an annual fund-raiser for the hospital, could not take place in 2020 as England was in a lockdown, and while Matt was hopeful the event would resume in 2021, Covid was still raging over winter.

“Omicron did its best to interfere with Christmas but it did not stop our hundreds of runners coming out on Boxing Day to run the 3.5-mile cross country route – lots of whom stopped to enjoy a pint of ale en-route,” said Matt.

“Thank you to everyone who came along. If you weren’t able to join us last year, do come along in 2022 when we will do it all again.”

Holy Cross Hospital depends on charitable fundraising to complement its care and therapeutic services. It will use the money raised from the Boxing Day Run to contribute towards sensory room equipment, which will help patients to develop skills including tracking, motor skills, the use of switches and assistive technology.