Southampton Running Festival 2025 – Hartford Care joins in support the Matt Hampson Foundation

On Sunday, 31st August 2025, our Hartford Team, Daisy Shelley, Lucia Fernandez, and Tetiana Pajadiene, participated in the Southampton Running Festival 2025, completing the 10 km route through Southampton’s gorgeous spaces and sites of interest. This was their first time entering an event like this as a team, providing the perfect opportunity to challenge themselves, work collaboratively and support the Matt Hampson Foundation.

Rising to the Challenge of Southampton Running Festival-

For our runners, preparation for the race began months in advance, scheduling evening and weekend runs together. Training for at least a week to achieve 5K, each time beating their personal best and tracking it on their fitness apps. This helped build the endurance to run further distances.

Lucia Fernandez reflected:

“I returned to running about three months ago, training two or three times a week. I set myself a target of finishing under 1:10, and I managed it by just 12 seconds.”

She also highlighted the sense of community that the festival created –

The day was great; we were nervous at the start, but everyone was so kind and supportive. It was an excellent environment to meet people and enjoy the experience together.”

Southampton Running Festival, more than just a Run –

The event was not only about individual achievements but also about coming together for a greater purpose.

As the team explained:

“We wanted a team challenge that would allow us to spend time together while supporting people who need it.”

“The run sounded fun, and I have never run before as a sport. I wanted the challenge, and to be able to do it for a great cause and with colleagues was really cool.”

Their emotions during the day reflected the journey itself: from the calming anticipation before the race to moments of enthusiasm, nerves, and willpower during it, and finally the sense of accomplishment and pride once they crossed the finish line.

Many summarised it perfectly:

“Before, I felt just relaxed. During the race, a bit of everything: positivity, excitement, nerves. But afterwards, there was this amazing sense of pride in having achieved it.”

Daisy stated on her own experience during the race—

“It was nerve-wracking! Once I was over 5k through, I got a second wind and powered through the rest. Nervous, in pain and tired, but it was so rewarding!”

Supporting The Matt Hampson Foundation –

Another reason why our runner participated in the Southampton Running Festival was for a great cause, our chosen charity for 2025, The Matt Hampson Foundation. All funds raised went to the charity, which supports and inspires young people who have experienced life-changing injuries through sport. Through methods such as physiotherapy, training, mentoring and having a strong community network, the foundation helps those focus on the possibilities they can do, enabling them to take back control of their lives and find a renewed sense of purpose.

A lasting impact—

For Hartford Care, the Southampton Running Festival was more than a race. It sparked the opportunity to unite, strengthen resilience, and give back to a charity that helps others rebuild their confidence and self.

As one of our runners reflected afterwards, “It was tough, but worth every step.”

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