Race Day fundraiser at Capstone Farm Country Park to celebrate Oliver Fisher Special Baby Care Trust’s milestone birthdays

A charity which cares for more than 1,200 poorly new-born babies every year is holding a bumper fundraiser to celebrate two milestone birthdays - and some special people will be taking part.

The Oliver Fisher Special Baby Care Trust moved into Medway Maritime Hospital 25 years ago and the charity started at the now-closed All Saints’ Hospital in Chatham 40 years ago.

To commemorate the anniversaries a Race Day is being held at Capstone Farm Country Park on Sunday, May 12, inviting young and old alike to dust off their running shoes.

Proceeds will go towards buying cutting-edge life-saving equipment for the wards which treat sick and premature tiny patients from all over the south east.

The 5k and 10k runs, which used to be an annual event, last took place in 2018 because of dwindling numbers and lockdown cancellations.

But it’s making its comeback and is one of several events planned to boost funds for the charity throughout this year.

It kicks off at 9.30am with a 2k family run around the park followed at 10am by the two other longer races. There will also be a teddy bears’ picnic near the park’s education hut.

“No parent wants to visit the Oliver Fisher unit, but when they do they soon realise it’s the place where miracles happen…”

The fun day is being sponsored by Sanjay Raval of the City Wall Wine Bar in Rochester and Nice Work, a marathon events company.

Among the runners with a special reason for taking part is Alexa Goodger, from Walderslade, who had life-saving treatment at the unit when she was born at 31 weeks .

She said: "Running this race is super personal to me and happens to fall the day before my 34th birthday.

"It’s safe to say without Oliver Fisher SCBU I wouldn’t be here celebrating any birthdays, which is why I would like to raise as much money as possible for the ward I owe my life to."

And it will be far from easy, as Alexa is 28 weeks pregnant with her fourth baby girl.

"I couldn’t not participate," she added. "I am determined to finish it even if I have to walk parts."

To suppport Alexa, click here.

Also taking part is six-year-old Maggie, a former patient, who was born prematurely at 32 weeks weighing just 2lbs 10oz.

Maggie, whose mum is Hannah Grout, the Trust’s PR officer, will be running alongside her granddad and older cousins.

Hannah said: “No parent wants to visit the Oliver Fisher unit, but when they do they soon realise it’s the place where miracles happen.”

While it receives standard funding from the NHS, it’s the charity which tops it up with the purchase of specialised equipment.

It also supports not only poorly and premature babies but also their families, helping out with travel arrangements.

It has provided funds to refurbish areas for parents and a bereavement room.

It recently spent £4,000 on 10 cots and also bought two double cots, so for the first time twins and triplets can be accommodated together.

The charity, first registered in 1985, got its name from Dr Oliver Fisher, a pioneering consultant who worked in paediatrics at All Saints and also at the old St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Rochester.

The neonatal unit provides intensive care, high dependency, and special and transitional care services and is attached to the hospital’s main delivery suite.

It cares for babies from the Medway and surrounding south east Thames region, including Dartford, Gravesend, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

It also accepts referrals from outside Kent.

The Trust’s chairman Dr Auung Soe leads a team of nine consultants and a specialist matron.

For more on the races on May 12, click here.

The park will open for arrivals from 9am.