Grandad who broke pelvis runs marathon to give back to NHS
A hospital porter who learned to walk again after a life‑changing accident is tackling the Manchester Marathon to raise funds for Southend Hospital.
Tony Smith, 62, from Leigh-on-Sea, works at Southend Hospital and learnt to walk again after breaking his pelvis 16 years ago in a car accident.
Having caught the running bug once he was back on his feet, the dad of three and grandad of six has since completed several long-distance running events including both the London and Manchester marathons.
Tony, who has worked at the hospital for three years, will run this year’s Manchester Marathon on Sunday 19 April to raise money for the Renal Home Therapies Team, which supports patients to manage dialysis at home.
Funds raised will help develop a new training and support suite for dialysis patients.
Tony explains how the accident in 2010 gave him a new perspective on life and left him determined to give something back to the NHS. He said:
I had quite a few operations at the Royal London Hospital and University College Hospital which included putting a titanium plate in my pelvis.
Once I had learned to walk again, I started going to Gunners Park at Shoebury and soon I was jogging and then doing the Park Run.
Having had a lot of hospital care I really wanted to give something back, so I wanted to become a sort of ambassador really. I’m raising funds to ensure more patients have access to the equipment, training and emotional support needed for dialysis at home.
Well known as a porter and also a keen runner, Tony is being supported in his fundraising by the North Thameside Ladies Auxiliary (NTLA) Group.
NTLA President Charley Horne said: “Our community’s support and donations will make a valuable difference to the lives of patients and staff at our hospitals. We are proud to support the work of Southend Hospital, helping enhance services above and beyond what the NHS alone can provide.”
Every donation, big or small, helps patients find freedom through home care - supporting the work of Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity and the renal teams dedicated to transforming lives.
If you would like to support Tony on his marathon journey, you can visit his fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/samantha-macdonald-1.