Meet the ‘Gutsy Runners’, a team of dedicated nurses from the Intestinal Failure Unit Salford, part of the Northern Care Alliance in the UK. They took on the challenge of the Great Manchester Run on 18th May 2025 to raise both funds and awareness for Intestinal Failure, a rare and complex condition. Intestinal failure can be challenging and unfamiliar, and is often overlooked by clinicians, as it requires highly specialised care to diagnose and manage. The nurses see the impact this condition has on patients and their families, and they wanted to do more to make a difference. The team is fully behind the ‘Leading Intestinal Failure Equality’ initiative and, by wearing ‘LIFE’ t-shirts, felt the run would help raise disease awareness.
Lead Nurse Cathy Cawley & Leanne Williamson, Ward Manager of the Intestinal Failure Unit, said: ‘By running the Great Manchester Run, we wanted to show solidarity and raise awareness to help patients feel seen, supported and to give hope’. The team’s efforts raised just over £1,000 which will go towards improving support services for patients and increasing public understanding of the illness. The team’s commitment exemplifies the spirit of the nursing profession: compassionate, tireless, and driven. By turning every footstep into a statement, Gutsy runners are not only advocating for better care but also giving a powerful voice to those affected by rare and complex conditions.
