Interim Chief Executive Andy Heeps and Chief Finance Officer Karen Geoghegan were guests of the Brighton Marathon yesterday, where they saw first-hand the work our teams of volunteers do to make sure the event can go ahead.
Colleagues from across the Trust join with medical school and St John’s Ambulance volunteers, to from a 300 strong event medical team that help care for ill and injured runners across the day.
Over 9,000 people took part in the run, which also saw research projects being piloted that will increase safety in mass participation events in the future and inform plans for the marathon at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The streets of the city were packed and the huge crowds and spring sunshine created a strong sense of fun and community spirit.
It was the first time Andy and Karen had experienced the Brighton Marathon.
Andy said: “It was a privilege to attend the Brighton Marathon. It was my first ever experience of the event, and what an incredible event it was.
“Of course without the many, many medical volunteers that we provide, along with others from the medical school and St John Ambulance, this event would not go ahead.
“It was so good to see all the work they do together to create a set-up which means that people can get treatment straight off the course and they don’t need to use our hospitals.”
He added: “Rob Galloway and his team have helped transform the event into what it is today, and it was really positive to feel the great community vibe.
“It is really important that UHSussex plays its part within the local community and we get so much back from it as well. I would like to thank everyone who made it happen. ”
Karen added: “The partnership working is amazing, how everyone comes together to create such a slick operation.
“It is quite phenomenal. It is brilliant. Everyone should be really, really proud.”