• Paul Coombe's Great South Run
• Putting Christmas 'turkey's to good use

Paul Coombe has every admiration for his cousin Steve Boakes, who is currently waiting for a kidney transplant and dialyzing at home. To show their support for him, Paul and wife Jo ran the Great South Run for sponsorship, raising £450 for the Adult Renal Fund at Guy's and St Thomas’, the largest kidney research unit in the UK.

In what has become traditional heavy rain the couple completed the 10 mile race, crossing the finishing line hand in hand after supporting each other in training and through the pain barrier when Paul's knee started acting up after 7 miles.

Egged on by the incredible crowd and atmosphere Paul said: "It's a wonderful feeling to cross the finishing line knowing that not only have you achieved a personal goal but in doing so you have helped someone, somehow.

"Steve has always shown great strength when dealing with his treatment and has always received excellent support from the staff at Guys Hospital. This run was our way of saying a big thanks to the Hospital but more importantly to say, 'We are so proud of you Steve'."

Bowlers put their Christmas 'turkeys' to good use
Rose D'Costa and her husband Peter have been fundraising for healthcare causes since 1985. They were both awarded MBEs in 1997 for their services to charity.

One of her Christmas Charity Bowling Competition raised sponsorship for the Adult Renal Fund.

10 teams took part, including a group from Waitrose for the first time. The Waitrose team's efforts were generously matched by the supermarket, taking their total to £918. Half of this amount was donated to the adult renal fund and half dedicated to the Children's Renal Unit at the Evelina Children's Hospital.

Gwendolyn Morgan raised most for the evening. Together with raffle money and sponsorship, her £356 brought the total raised for the Adult Renal Unit to £3,000.

Rose and some members of the teams presented their cheques to Professor Stephen Sacks, head of nephrology and transplantation and fundholder of the Adult Renal Fund and Dr Sue Rigden, a consultant paediatric nephrologist who manages the children's renal unit fund.

Rose said: “Many of us know people who are on kidney dialysis. Research into this area is vital, so I was pleased to support the calls. My bowlers did me proud and broke the record of all previous years."

To make a donation or find out how your legacy could help, please use the secure donation form, or contact the Fundraising Team on Tel: 020 7188 1204, e-mail: Fundraising Team.