14 April 2023

Femi, one of the UHS board of directors, running London Marathon

My name is Femi Macaulay, and I’ve worked on the board of directors for University Hospital Southampton (UHS) since January 2022 as an Associate Non-Executive Director (NED). Through this role I help set the strategy, driving change within the hospital.

My background is in financial services, but through this NED position, I can contribute to making a difference in the health and wellbeing of thousands of people.

Now aged 61, I’ve been a long-distance runner for over 30 years and have competed in over 50 races of marathon distance and longer.

It is something I became very passionate about since my mum died. I needed some way to channel my grief and getting into running was the perfect way to do this. It has been life changing.

I was fortunate enough this year to secure a place for the London Marathon, which is a 26.2 mile race. I have run it before, though that was 27 years ago! My goal is to run it faster than four hours which will be a real challenge for me.

I am raising money through Southampton Hospitals Charity for Southampton Children’s Hospital, specifically the G3 Orthopaedic Ward. I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the ward, and as a parent of two children, I can put myself in the parent’s position.

Seeing the children face their treatment so courageously has really inspired me to raise money for our hospital charity so that we can enhance the hospital environment for our young patients and make a real impact. It was the natural choice for my London Marathon journey.

Being able to inspire and promote a health and wellbeing culture within UHS where we all thrive is so important to me. If I hit the wall at around the 20-mile mark, I have a reason to keep going!

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