NHS South East London Colleagues Complete Half Marathon in Memory of Friend and Co-Worker

Russell and Colette ran to celebrate the life of a former NHS worker who passed away from throat cancer

A group from South East London and Kent took on the Big Half annual road running event in central London.  NHS workers Russell Cartwright, Head of Communications, Engagement and Behaviour Change in Greenwich, and Colette Meehan, who worked as AD of Integrated Commissioning in Greenwich until recently, both completed the run in memory of their former ICB colleague and beloved friend Robert Shaw who passed away from throat cancer earlier this year.

Russell and Colette raised money for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, of which Robert was an ambassador. The charity’s mission is to improve head and neck cancer patient quality of life and outcomes in the UK. It does this by enabling greater understanding, knowledge and awareness of head and neck cancers.

Joining the pair of NHS runners were Colette’s daughter Lauren, sister Paulette and niece Shannon. So far, the group have raised over £3,500 for Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK.

Russell said: “Robert was a lovely guy. He was passionate about Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK and about helping to spread awareness of head and neck cancers so it was great to do this in his memory. 13.1 miles is a long way on a really hot day! Despite that I loved it, there was a real buzz approaching the finish line in Greenwich with a big crowd cheering. I am really pleased we have done Robert proud and raised so much money for a brilliant charity. It has made all the months of training worthwhile.”    

Michelle Vickers, Chief Awareness Officer at Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK says: “We are delighted that Robert’s former colleagues, Russell and Colette, signed up to complete the Big Half in Robert’s memory whilst raising funds for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK. Robert was a committed and dedicated ambassador for the charity and was on a journey to raise as much awareness as possible. We’re thrilled that his friends and former colleagues want to continue that journey in his honour.”

Russell and Collette’s Just Giving Page is still open for donations. If you wish to donate please visit here.

 Information about Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK can be found here.

 To read Robert’s story please visit here.