A trio of hospital workers took part in a mud splat run to launch a £55,000 fundraising campaign for a hi-tech piece of eye equipment at a hospital.
Ipswich Hospital eye department workers Victoria Mills, Joshua Merritt and Anna Ratcliffe took part in the Splat Quack Go event on Sunday, September 16.
They took part in the event at Hollesley, near Woodbridge to launch the Eye Appeal, set up to fund additional specialist equipment and resources for one of the busiest in the hospital.
The initial target is to raise £55,000 for a non-invasive imaging machine called an OCT.
Consultant ophthalmologist, Vasileois Kostakis, said: “This is a really clever machine. It has the potential to detect, diagnose and monitor eye diseases earlier. It’s also portable making it particularly beneficial to infants, children, wheelchair users and those who are bed bound.
“At the moment these groups of people cannot easily access our other imaging equipment and therefore don’t benefit from it.
“The difference it will make to our patients will be invaluable.”
To launch the appeal who all work in the eye department, took part in the mud run.
Ms Mills said: “To launch our new Eye Appeal, three of us who work within the eye department decided to take part in the brand new Suffolk Mud Run.
“Albeit grubby and a real test of endurance, we had so much fun completing it and all for a fantastic cause.”
Mr Merritt added: “We decided to participate in the muddiest mud run because we need to fund this ourselves so we had to go all out.
“It took us two and half hours but we got a nice cup of coffee. I would definitely do this again, it’s for such a great cause.”
Head orthoptist Dawn Elwell said: “They did brilliantly and have got our appeal off to a memorable start.
“It was great to see them cross the finish line together and so far they have raised £1,387 for the appeal.
“There’s clearly still a long way to go but as we spread the word and people become aware of who we are and what we are trying to achieve, we are confident the appeal will soon gain momentum.”
To find out more about The Eye Appeal or to donate visit www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/eye-appeal
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