THE countdown is on for staff at Gobowen’s specialist orthopaedic hospital who are running the London Marathon later in 2022, in aid of a charity fund.

This year, 11 staff from the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital have signed up for the annual 26-mile race around the capital.

Joining The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital staff members will be 16 members of the community who have all pledged to raise a minimum of £1,500 for the RJAH Charity to support the funding of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

Rebecca and Spinal Injuries nurse Catherine are teaming up to raise the much-needed funds together.

Catherine said: “This will be an enormous challenge for us both as we do not run regularly so lots of training required.

"Any support however big or small would be hugely appreciated by both of us.”

Rebecca added: “I am running for the is charity because I have seen the benefits that it brings to our patients and have often relied on them to enable patient experience to be outstanding.

“This is a huge challenge for me, it’s really requiring a lot of discipline and effort more than I could ever imagine.

"My two priorities are to reach the end of the 26 miles and to try to support and encourage those running around me on the day.”

Nicky Drury who works in theatres at the Oswestry-based hospital is running in memory of her nan.

Nicky said: “I’m running it in memory of my beautiful nan that passed away on the day of the marathon in 2021.

"It will be by far the biggest challenge I have ever faced, but training is going well, and I am determined to do it.”

Recovery nurse Catherine Roberts is also running in memory of someone, her father, entering the marathon under her maiden name Gleave in his memory.

Catherine said: “I know this is going to be a really tough challenge, so I am running in memory of my dad.

"When it gets hard, I will look at the name on my vest, I won't give up and I will make it to the end.”

Victoria Sugden, charity director, said: “The London Marathon is the biggest fundraiser on the calendar and all runners play a massive part in enabling us to provide the best possible support to patients and staff at RJAH.”