Medical students from the University of Birmingham’s Medical Society have teamed up with doctors on the front line as part of a sports competition that has seen over £25,000 raised for charitable causes.
The inter-team competition brought together current students, many of whom are currently supporting the NHS on the frontline, along with ex-members of the society who are now fully qualified doctors. Competing individually and often in between shifts, the aim was to run, cycle, swim and even canoe as far as possible in one week, with results for each team member collected and shared on a leader board over the week.
In total 450 athletes from six of the societies largest sports teams took part, collectively travelling over 37,000km over seven days. The money raised will be donated to a number of charities, chosen by each of the clubs, including NHS Charities Together, Birmingham Mind, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Refuge and The CALMzone.
James Jobling, Charity and Welfare Rep for the University of Birmingham Medical School Football Team, one of the organisers of the competition said: “We set this competition up to encourage everyone to be active and encourage a sense of teamwork in a time where we are all practicing separation. The competitive aspect meant that club members, regardless of age or seniority, motivated and supported one another to push themselves throughout the week.
For more information please contact Sophie Belcher, Communications Manager, University of Birmingham, on +44 (0)7815607157. Alternatively, contact the Press Office out of hours on +44 (0)7789 921165.