What an incredible experience it was to take part in the Chicago Marathon alongside 14 other Laniado runners, all united by a shared goal: raising vital funds for Laniado Hospital’s new sheltered Emergency Department.

As CEO of Laniado Hospital UK, I was immensely proud to join our team on the streets of Chicago on 11 October. Every runner had their own personal reasons for taking on this challenge, but we were all driven by the same purpose – helping Laniado continue its life-saving work and ensuring patients can receive the care they need in a safe, protected environment.

The months of training, fundraising and preparation were finally worth it as we crossed the start line and made our way through the incredible atmosphere of the Chicago Marathon. The encouragement from the crowds was unforgettable, and knowing that we were running for such an important cause gave every mile a deeper meaning.

Our goal is to raise £50,000 towards the new Emergency Department, helping provide a safer environment for patients and medical teams when they need it most.

I want to thank our 14 fellow runners, everyone who supported us, and every person who donated so generously. Your kindness gives this challenge its true meaning.

Together, we are running for something bigger than ourselves.

If you’d like to make a donation on my fundraising page you can do so here: https://www.charityextra.com/hub/laniadouk/simonrunschicago