Runners raise a fortune for L&D

More than £6,000 was raised for the L&D’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which cares for 900 sick or premature babies born each year, with money still coming in.

Scores of runners signed up for this year’s race which started at Vauxhall Recreation Centre and took in the picturesque grounds of Luton Hoo.

Great Britain runner Darren Deed, who is gearing up for his first ever marathon in Amsterdam this weekend, romped to victory for the second year running in a lightening quick time of 30 minutes and 6 seconds, shaving 27 seconds off last year’s time.

Equally impressive was Icknield High School student jamal Lewis’ performance as he finished second in an impressive 35.26 at the tender age of just 14 and more than a minute ahead of third place Martin Davern.

The 5km race was won by Ashley Stewart who completed the course in 19.39 ahead of James Cooper in second and Andrew Durrant in third.

Scores of youngsters, many of them who had been given lifesaving treatment at the L&D’s NICU, received medals as they completed the 2km fun run.

H&P reporter Steve Nolan also took part, finishing 35th in 47.05 – a minute quicker than last year.

Sarah Newby, fundraising manager at the L&D said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Boxfit for organising it all and to our sponsors Indigo Residential, A-Plan Insurance Luton and Bartham Group.

“Very well done to all the runners, especially our NICU children. It was fantastic to see so many of them there crossing the finish line.”

To donate to the NICU Appeal log onto http://www.justgiving.com/nicuappeal.