British Army officer to run from Hinchingbrooke to Addenbrooke's hospitals to reward frontline NHS staff

An army officer will be running from Hinchingbrooke Hospital to Addenbrooke's to reward frontline NHS staff tomorrow (July 4).

Former Chesterton Community College student Rhuben Smith, who is a lieutenant having commissioned into the Army Air Corps from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2019 is temporarily attached to the Wiltshire based Royal Tank Regiment, will be attempting the 50km effort with friend Joel Smith.

Rhuben leads a troop of 16 Royal Armoured Corps soldiers and during the pandemic his team has been manning a Covid-19 mobile testing unit in the South West, most recently operating from the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, Somerset.

“What the NHS have been doing this past month is humbling,” said Rhuden. “If anyone deserves some quality down time, it’s the frontline staff who have been working tirelessly to protect all of us.

“It has been great to be involved in supporting the NHS by providing testing. The work they have done this year is incredible, and it’s been a privilege to play a small part in that.”

“As the country re-opens and others are reunited with friends and family, it has been imperative to form close relationships with members of my team to avoid a sense of isolation as they continue to work away from home. Keeping them focussed on the task in hand and the importance of the work they are doing has been my priority, and they have been amazing.”

The pair hope to raise at least £2,500, and they have invited donors to nominate NHS staff and for every £500 raised they will fund a trip for two to a luxury retreat for chosen nominees, with any remaining funds going to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Joel, who attended Impington Village College, has spent the lockdown in Histon and the two childhood friends have been maintaining punishing individual training programmes in preparation.

“We are very competitive, so while we are running as a team there will definitely be an element of competition to it,” he said.

“I am looking forward to seeing Rhuben for the first time since the crisis started. All of us at home are in complete awe of what he has been doing, on the frontline providing testing. We are really proud of him, ultimate respect. He has been playing less golf than I have, but I am certain he has made time to train.”

To sponsor Rhuben and Joel, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/run-for-retreat

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