Chamber of Commerce members enjoy big day

Two runners from Sutton Coldfield were among the thousands of who took part in the Royal Town Fun Run and raised thousands for charity.

Mark Thomas and Neha Sangar of Sutton-based Gemini Wealth Management completed course – raising more than £4,000 for charity PANS PANDAS UK.

They joined fellow members of Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, including president Phil Arkinstall, vice-president Naeem Arif and committee member Kate Curry were among those taking part, along with employees from BMet College, Ansons Solicitors, Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, Cookes Furniture, Rotospa and the Cancer Support Centre.

Mark and Neha ran the 8.4 mile course in aid of the charity which supports children with the conditions known as PANS and PANDAS.

These conditions cause inflammation in the brain resulting in neuro-psychiatric symptoms such as OCD, tics, eating disorders and anxiety.

More commonly affecting children, these conditions can be isolating and life changing.

PANS PANDAS UK’s mission is to ensure speedy diagnosis and effective treatment for sufferers by educating the medical community as well as offering support to sufferers and their families.

The charity is Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s president Deb Leary’s chosen charity of the year.

Mark’s son Isaac suddenly became severely ill and distressed with PANS PANDAS in February 2020, aged nine.

Since then, Mark and his family have been supported by PPUK who have been on hand to offer advice, support and practical help.

PPUK are also actively ensuring that knowledge and awareness is improved – something Mark feels passionately about due to Isaac’s condition being misdiagnosed in the first 12 months due to a lack of awareness in the medical community.

Mark said: “I am so happy that we’ve managed to raise so much money for this amazing cause which is so close to my heart.

“I never thought we would raise anywhere near as much, but everybody who has heard Isaac’s story has been moved to do all they can, which is truly humbling.

“I’m not a natural runner, so the 8.4 mile course was tough, but the support from all those around me, as well as Isaac’s bravery in dealing with this awful illness, spurred me on.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to my employer, Gemini Wealth Management, who have been both extremely considerate as well as generous in helping me with this.

“Gemini have made PPUK one of their two charity partners in 2023 as they have been so moved by Isaac’s story.”

The Chamber of Commerce event was sponsored by The Vesey Private Hospital, Rotospa, Cookes Furniture, Curry Design Stidio, Darren Langley Web Design and supported by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council.

Describing the Chamber’s day, Phil Arkinstall said: “The atmosphere across Sutton Coldfield was fantastic, the weather didn’t disappoint and thousands of people came together for the 40^th running of the event, cheered on by thousands of local people who helped raised a huge amount of money for local charities throughout the Royal Town and further afield.

“It was also hugely encouraging to see the number of local businesses supporting the event through their employees running for good causes, attending to cheer on the participants or using the event to promote their businesses.”

Many of the Chamber runners were raising money for the UK Sepsis Trust, the Sutton Coldfield-based charity.