Dentist goes the distance for church-funded dental clinic in Gaza

A dentist is hoping to extract money from sponsors this weekend in a run to help patients in Gaza.

Hannah Hutchison, who works at a practice in Abergavenny, has set herself the challenge of raising money for a mobile dental clinic in Gaza by running the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday.

The clinic is funded by the Church in Wales and brings medical care to 70,000 people living in remote and deprived areas.

The clinic is in need of another £26,000 to stay on the road this year.

Hannah was inspired to run for the clinic when she heard about it in a Christmas service at St Mary's Priory, in Abergavenny, last year.

She said, “My interest was roused by my profession, and the feeling that however stressful my days can be, working in such a situation as Gaza is infinitely more difficult.

"It was an obvious choice to raise money for as I began to prepare to enter the Cardiff Half Marathon.

“I have already had much support from patients, friends and family, but hope to raise much more for such a good cause.”

Taking on a half marathon has been challenging for the busy mum, who has been splitting her weeks between regular training, three days of work at the Gateway Dental Practice, looking after her children, running a Brownie group and preparing for her Grade 7 piano exam.

Although the marathon will be all over on Sunday, Hannah is hoping to keep up the fitness regime.

“This will be the first (and last!) time I run this distance - the challenge was to do one before my 40th birthday!" she says.

"The training has been hard - both physically and mentally. I hope that I will be able to maintain my improved level of fitness, though, so I will continue to run about five miles three times a week or so.”

The Archdeacon of Margam, Philip Morris, who coordinates the fund for the mobile dental clinic, said, “We are delighted that Hannah is running to help patients in Gaza and we’ll be egging her on all the way.

“The mobile dental clinic, with the Welsh dragon clearly displayed on its doors, travels around the streets of Gaza city and makes a real difference to thousands of people who otherwise would have no access to dental care.

"It is a unique Welsh charity as it depends totally on the continued support of the Church in Wales.”

Anyone who wants to sponsor Hannah, should send a cheque payable to the Church in Wales Jubilee Fund and send it to the Hannah Hutchison Run, Treasurer, Church in Wales, 39 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, CF11 9XF, or tel 02920 348228