Latest DOrunning news

DOrunning, which hosts free-to-join running sessions in the area started the fundraising campaign in September 2021 when founder Des Oldham felt compelled to take action.

In April 2018, the DOrunning community was rocked by the sudden cardiac arrest of member James Laverty at one of their weekly sessions. James, who was 25 at the time and had no history of such medical conditions, made a full recovery following treatment and the fitting of an internal defibrillator at Nottingham City Hospital.

While James is now doing well, his experience along with similar, high-profile cases including footballer Christian Eriksen and the tragic passing of local teenager, Dylan Rich, served a stark reminder that incidents such as this can happen to anyone, at any time.

With the target set at £5,000 – enough to purchase two fixed defibrillator units and one mobile device, Des and the members of DOrunning got straight into action to raise the funds.

During the six-week campaign, the group ran a total of 459 miles on Nottingham Forest match days – matching the distance from each opponent’s football ground to the City Ground, held bucket collections, a raffle and a fundraising gala at the Boot Room Bar in Pavilion Road.

The group also supported the Notts County Foundation’s Community Day as part of the campaign and make a further donation to their charity.

Thanks to the commitment and efforts of all involved, a final total of £5,509.24 was raised – enough for the group to also provide significant contributions to Defib for Grassroots Football and Football for Defibs.

The two fixed units are now in place, one at the Boot Room Bar near the Nottingham Forest City Ground and the second donated to the Notts County Foundation which is outside the Portland Centre in The Meadows and was kindly installed by Nottingham City Homes. Both locations are popular with activity enthusiast and regularly attract thousands of sports fans on match days.

Once commissioned, the mobile unit will be available for local sports and community groups to book and use free of charge at their events. Arrangements have also been made to offer First Aid and defibrillator training to members of the running club and those living near the new units.

Des Oldham, Founder of DOrunning CIC said: “When we set about this campaign, we knew raising the funds wasn’t going to be easy, but we felt really strongly that we wanted to take action.

“Ever since James suffered a cardiac arrest at the running group I have always wanted to make sure we are in the best possible position should it happen again! Encouraging activity and participation in the way we do, we want to make sure that those in our area have 24 hour access to a facility that could save lives.

“I’m really proud of our collective efforts and it gives me great pleasure to see the units in place, knowing they’re there thanks to the hard work from DOrunning CIC.”

Despite the uncertainties thrown at us in 2021, both collectively and individually, the last 12 months have made for yet another special DOrunning year.

Nothing was more important than the return to group activity at the end of May. Without it, we worked hard to find a way to keep being amazing, but we all know this group really comes into its own when we work together as the #bestrunningclubever.

Re-establishing a base for our Trent Bridge group was of paramount importance. Thankfully, the nature and support we get from The Boot Room Bar is second to none! A strong relationship has formed allowing us to get so much more from simply having a roof over our heads for group sessions.

Whilst providing free and inclusive activity is and always will be our primary objective, and regardless of time spent apart, we have still fulfilled our commitment of being an organisation that really makes a difference to others’ worthy causes and projects.

The following shows exactly how much we have directly impacted our local community:

• raised £5500 through our very own ‘Defib Trent Bridge’ campaign, providing two-fixed  defibs and one mobile for community use
• donated £100 to each to the Forest4Defibs and Defibs2Grassroots local fundraising efforts
• raised £800 for Motor Neurone Disease Association, supporting FothersMission24
• sponsored BBC Radio Nottingham presenter Mark Dennison, to the sum of £100 in his Forest2Wembley cycling/walking effort for Prostate Cancer UK
• match day sponsors for Basford United FC, supporting grassroots sport
• organised several collections for Walkers Homeless charity
• supported the Meadows Action Group with their inaugural community litter pick
• provided a team of volunteers for the 40th Robin Hood Marathon
• performed a volunteer roster takeover at Colwick parkrun

We always like to offer something in return to our members who get involved with these initiatives. This year, we have not always been in a position to do so – further demonstrating the level of generosity and kindness to all who continue to contribute.

Many have benefitted from direct funds passed on, food/clothing collections and additional voluntary support. We can't thank those enough who continue to get behind all or each of the aforementioned projects.

After more than a year since their last in-person meeting, DOrunning and The Boot Room have teamed up to provide a new base for runners in the area.

Throughout the last year, founder Des Oldham has worked tirelessly to maintain the group spirit – including creating daily YouTube content to complement the activity plan offered to members old and new.

The new partnership will see DOrunning – which offers fully inclusive running and walking group sessions – base its Trent Bridge group from The Boot Room which has recently opened its doors on Pavilion Road.

Founded in 2019, DOrunning CIC's aim is to increase activity participation for all. With a strong focus on mental health and addressing wider community issues, the group promotes inclusive and easily accessible running groups breaking down perceived barriers to exercise with their approach.

Founder, Des Oldham explained “At a time when the group was needed most, the pandemic and lockdown restrictions meant we couldn’t deliver our aims through our regular get togethers. Whilst we have done our best to adapt to the new normal and keep spirits high, we feel that now is the right time to allow people to benefit from meeting again in person.

A year on, with summer on its way and by securing such a fantastic venue, the first session back confirmed our timing was right. The evening couldn’t have gone much better. A great turnout, a mixture of regular (pre-pandemic) and new faces made for such an uplifting occasion.

Already, The Boot Room feels like a perfect place to call home. It was so important to me to maintain our Trent Bridge roots – between two stadiums draped in sporting heritage and just yards from the river Trent, we can enjoy what we do in an awe inspiring location. The support of Mark and his team in re-establishig our group has been incredible, together I feel DOrunning and The Boot Room have a very exciting future.”

Mark James, [title] of The Boot Room said: “When Des approached us about staging DOrunning get togethers, I liked the idea but to be honest was a little unsure of what to expect.

However, from the moment they stepped through the door, it was obvious why a having great base is so important to the group. At that point, I just got it! To see such a friendly, positive and polite group of individuals, who love what they do and really enjoy spending time together has been a real pleasure to be a part of.

Here, at the Boot Room, we are extremely happy to have DOrunning and envisage a truly exciting partnership forming. We have both been side tracked in our ventures by Covid but with life set to resume to some normality, the guys are a fantastic addition to being a great venue for all’’

The first session took place on Wednesday 29 May and sessions will continue at 6pm on Wednesday and 9am on Sunday each week. Everyone is welcome and there is no cost. DOrunning’s members span all abilities from walkers to ultra-runners – the friendly group focuses on the social benefits of group activity rather than pace and competition.