Hesley Group Resident Jack Raises Over £3,100 for Great Ormond Street Hospital After Completing Multiple 5K Runs
A resident supported by Hesley Group has raised more than £3,100 for Great Ormond Street Hospital after completing multiple 5K runs with the encouragement of his care team.
Jack, who lives at Meadow View, one of Hesley Group’s specialist residential services, has always enjoyed physical activity. When staff spotted a local 5K run in the community, they suggested the challenge to Jack, and he immediately said yes.
With the support of his care team, Jack began training and gradually built up his stamina and confidence. In 2024, he proudly completed his first ever 5K race. Inspired by the experience, he soon set himself a new goal, to run again while raising money for the hospital that helped change his life.
As a child and teenager, Jack lived with an undiagnosed inflammatory bowel disease that caused significant pain and uncertainty. After years of searching for answers, specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital helped diagnose and treat his condition, dramatically improving his health and wellbeing.
Wanting to give something back, Jack and his family decided to dedicate his fundraising efforts to the hospital.
In 2025, Jack completed two further 5K races. The first, a local summer event, saw him finish in under 30 minutes while raising £2,740 for charity. Later in the year, he took part in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park 5K alongside his brother Matt and Meadow View’s Assistant General Manager, Mandy, achieving another personal best of around 28 minutes. By the end of the challenge, Jack had raised an impressive £3,117 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Jack’s parents said: “We are so incredibly proud of Jack and what he has achieved despite the significant challenges he faces. His ongoing development and quality of life have benefited so much from the day-to-day care he receives as a resident with the Hesley Group. The staff are supportive, caring, and encourage him to fulfil his potential in so many ways – he couldn’t be living in a better place.”
Virginia Perkins, CEO of Hesley Group, said: “Jack’s achievement is a fantastic example of what can be possible with the right support and encouragement. Our colleagues at Meadow View have played an important role in helping him build the confidence, skills and resilience needed to take on this challenge, and it’s been wonderful to see his development.
“We are incredibly proud of everything Jack has accomplished, not only in completing these runs but in raising such an impressive amount for a cause that means so much to him. We’re excited to see what he takes on next.”
Jack’s fundraising formed part of Hesley Group’s “£50k for 50 Years” campaign, which raised £50,630 for charities and causes important to the people it supports to mark the organisations 50th anniversary.
Jack is already looking ahead to his next challenge – with plans to take part in another 5K at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and possibly even a 10K in the future.
