ELF supporters out in force at the Exeter Santa Run

The Exeter Santa Run, organised by Exeter City Community Trust, is always one of our favourite fundraising events and the sight of Exeter High Street filled with Santas of all ages signals for ELF the start of the festive season.

This year, we had over twenty supporters taking part in aid of ELF, our highest ever number. Our Santa Runners composed of current and former patients treated at the Haematology Centre, their friends and family, plus members of the Yarty ward and Research nursing teams from the RD&E hospital. Cheered on by a group of (very vocal!) ELF supporters at the finish line, it was a joy to see everyone complete their 5k and 2.5k challenges with big smiles on their faces.

Mary Hall, joined by her daughter Jessie, completed the course in her festively-decorated mobility scooter, to big cheers at the finish line. Mary said "We did it! The scooter held out and it was a lovely atmosphere. ELF has supported me twice following a lymphoma diagnosis in 2018 and then a relapse in 2021, which resulted in me receiving a stem cell transplant last year. ELF helped me and my family through a very difficult time."

Also completing the Santa Run was a very well known face to everyone at ELF; Sophia who was carried around the course by her dad, Jason. After being diagnosed with leukaemia at just 18 months old, Sophia and her family were introduced to ELF by a nurse on Bramble Ward and we have supported the family with our services ever since. There wasn't a dry eye in the team as Sophia, who only recently learnt how to walk as a result of her chemotherapy treatments, crossed the finish line on her own two feet.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Exeter Santa Run in aid of ELF. Collectively, the group has raised £2,200 in sponsorship, an amazing figure which will go a long way to support families affected by blood cancer in Devon this Christmas.