Ian's Story: Running to thank the NHS for saving my wife and dad
This September, we’ll be welcoming our incredible team of Robin Hood Half Marathon runners, all taking on the 13.1-mile race to raise vital funds for Nottingham’s NHS hospitals. Among them is Ian Woolley, who is lacing up his running shoes for the second year in a row to show his gratitude to the doctors and nurses at City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre, who cared for his loved ones.
Ian shares why he’s taking on the challenge again:
“Running the Robin Hood Half Marathon isn’t just about the race - it’s my way of saying thank you to the amazing NHS staff who have been there for my family when we needed them the most.
“In August 2023, my wife was unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer. She was looked after by the incredible team at City Hospital, going through six rounds of chemotherapy and 19 rounds of radiotherapy. Thankfully, her treatment finished in April 2024, and I’m so happy to say she’s doing really well and on the road to recovery.
“Last year, I ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon to show my appreciation for the staff who cared for her and managed to raise an incredible £1,300 for City Hospital. However, when I thought we'd passed the hardest thing our family would have to face, my dad suffered a stroke on 16th December 2024, just three months after the race. He was rushed to Queen’s Medical Centre, where he spent five weeks in the stroke unit, receiving round-the-clock care from the most dedicated doctors and nurses. Thanks to them, he’s now on the mend.
“The past couple of years have been some of the most difficult of my life. My wife and my dad mean the world to me, and I know that without the support of these hospitals, they wouldn’t be here today. I will never be able to thank them enough, but running this race and raising funds for the hospitals is my way of giving something back.
“The doctors, nurses, and all the staff do a magnificent job looking after patients and their families - they are my heroes. I’m proud to be running again this year, wearing my vest with pride and hoping to raise as much as I can for the hospitals.
"If you’re thinking about signing up for the Robin Hood Half Marathon, my advice is simple - just go for it! Train hard and always remember why you’re running. For me, it’s about supporting our NHS heroes and everything they do, and that’s what helped me cross the finish line last time.”
If you’d like to join Ian and the rest of our Robin Hood Half Marathon team this year, you can sign up today!