Fundraiser tackles half marathon after lifesaving weight loss operation
A charity fundraiser who lost an incredible 20 stone in nine months after a lifesaving operation has signed up for the Great Birmingham Run for a second time as a thank-you to the NHS.
NHS worker, David Coppage, aged 31, completed the half marathon last year as a way of saying thank you to the NHS and has already signed up for the May 2025 for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.
David from Rednal, who works on the Diabetes Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, has struggled with his weight since he was child.
With support from his colleagues, he decided to have a gastric sleeve fitted in May 2023 and managed to lose 20 stone within nine months of the operation.
It was an astounding feat as his doctors said it normally takes patients two years to lose 70 per cent of their body weight.
To keep himself focused he signed up to the Birmingham half marathon to raise funds for the diabetes ward.
He said: “I decided to take on the Great Birmingham Run in 2024 to say thank you to the NHS for giving me a new lease of life.
“I was Type 2 Diabetic, but since having weight loss surgery my results have come down and I am no longer diabetic.
“The support I had from my ward manger and colleagues was amazing and that’s why I wanted to raise money for QEHB Charity to support the Diabetes Ward at the QE and I want to do the same again this year.”
The charity has places for the 2025 Great Birmingham Run as well as a variety of fundraising activities and events throughout the year.
Pictured: David before and after his lifesaving operation
