Last weekend, two teams from the John Radcliffe Hospital went head-to-head as they took on the Endure 24 Challenge in Reading.

Endure 24 is the UK's largest 24-hour relay race - yes, that's right, 24 hours!

The two brave teams were made up of staff from our local Oxford hospitals, well known for throwing themselves into extreme challenges and long-standing supporters of Oxford Hospitals Charity.

Mud, hills and heavy rain - taking on the Endure24, was always going to be a challenge, but for two amazing hospital teams, it was about far more than that.

Team Critical Miles was made up of Florian, one of the Divisional Directors of Nursing, Rachel, Paediatric Acute Team Lead Physiotherapist, and friend Paul. The team were raising money for the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU), helping to fund specialist equipment, enhanced support and improved facilities for critically ill children and their families.

Speaking to Florian after the challenge, he said: “The course was more challenging than we thought and made worse by the wind and rain. However, the kind messages from donors, PCCU service users and our friends and family made all the difference to get us through.

“During the race we became each other's nutritionist, performance coach, counsellor, therapist, motivator and questionable sense checker. An experience we will never forget for all the roller coaster of emotions it entailed.”

Rachel added: “The tough course tested us from the very first lap. We got through it together with encouragement and just enough snacks and positivity to carry us through the tougher moments, and on the hardest laps, the simple reminder “if you think about quitting, think about why you started” kept us focused, and our reason never changed.

“With the support and encouragement from everyone around us, we were able to keep going and cover an incredible 105 miles.

“We are so grateful to everyone who backed us along the way and to all who donated so generously, helping us raise nearly £7,000 for Children’s Critical Care.”

The brilliantly named "Wait for Me Willis" team was made up of Kumi, Catherine, Natalie and Hannah from the Neuroscience Unit at the JR, Helen, a community physiotherapist, Angelica from the Oxford Centre for Enablement and friend Liam, who all ran for the Neuroscience Unit and Oxford Major Trauma Centre.

They ran to support patients whose lives have been transformed by neurological illness or injury, and the dedicated staff who care for them every day. 

Both teams pushed themselves against the clock to complete as many 8km laps as possible over a full day and night, training for months for this epic challenge, and there were a few team members who battled injury. 

Claire Hughes, Events Officer, said, "We are incredibly proud of both teams for taking on such a demanding challenge in support of Oxford Hospitals Charity. Running hundreds of miles between them in the mud and the rain,  while raising money for hospital departments close to their hearts.”

If you would like to donate to Team Critical Miles click here

If you would like to donate to Team Wait for me Willis click here