Television star and entrepreneur Sara Davies and Emon Choudhury, a former Race Across the World winner, are set to lace up their running shoes and take on the Great North Run to raise vital funds for County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Charity.
Sara, a beloved figure from the popular BBC show “Dragons’ Den,” and Emon will be running the world-renowned half marathon on 8th September to help equip the Trust’s Clinical Simulation Centre at Bishop Auckland with a state-of-the-art Laerdal SimMom manikin.
The SimMom, a high-fidelity training manikin, is an advanced birthing simulator designed to provide realistic training scenarios for medical professionals. With this innovative technology, the Clinical Simulation Centre will be able to offer first-class training and education opportunities, ensuring that healthcare staff across the region are equipped with the skills and confidence they need to deliver exceptional care.
Sara Davies commented on her upcoming challenge: “I’m thrilled to be running the Great North Run for such a worthy cause. The Clinical Simulation Centre at Bishop Auckland is an incredible resource, and I’m honoured to support the County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Charity in their mission to enhance care and patient experience through the training for healthcare professionals. The SimMom manikin will be a game-changer, providing invaluable hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment. I’m proud to contribute to a project that will have such a lasting impact on patient care in our community.”
The funds raised by Sara and Emon’s participation in the Great North Run will go directly towards purchasing the Laerdal SimMom manikin, which will be used to simulate a wide range of birthing scenarios, from routine deliveries to complex emergencies. This will allow medical teams to practice and refine their skills, ensuring that they are fully prepared to handle real-life situations with the highest level of expertise and confidence.
The Clinical Simulation Centre at Bishop Auckland has already established itself as a leading training facility, providing cutting-edge education to healthcare professionals. The addition of the SimMom manikin will further elevate the centre’s capabilities, supporting the Trust’s commitment to delivering high quality and compassionate patient care across County Durham and Darlington.
Pat Chambers, County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust Charity Manager said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sara and Emon for choosing to support our charity through the Great North Run. The funds they raise will make a significant difference in our ability to provide top-quality training for our staff. The SimMom manikin will be a vital addition to our Clinical Simulation Centre, helping us to continue delivering the best possible care to our patients.”
Supporters are encouraged to cheer Sara and Emon on as they take on the Great North Run and where possible to donate to help achieve this important goal. Donations can be made through the official fundraising page at: Our Birthing Mama on JustGiving