Hospital Project Manager Takes on Great Manchester Run to Support £1.1m MediCinema Appeal

A project manager at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is taking on the Great Manchester Run 10k next month to support our MediCinema Appeal.

Katie Oliver, 32, from Burnage, works as a Senior Capital Works Manager at MFT and has been managing the development of the MediCinema project, funded by MFT Charity, since its early planning stages.

Fronted by Rachael and Andrew Flintoff, our MediCinema Appeal will transform an unused lecture theatre at Manchester Royal Infirmary into a fully accessible, 50-seatin-hospital cinema. Once complete, the cinema will benefit patients in both Manchester Royal Infirmary and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The Appeal has already raised £788,000 towards its £1.1 million target, helping to deliver the cinema at no cost to the NHS while giving patients the chance to experience the magic of the movies during their time in hospital.

Once operational, the MediCinema is expected to screen up to 260 films each year. Supported by trained MediCinema nurses and volunteers, screenings will offer patients moments of normality, escape, and time away from the ward with loved ones, during long or frequent hospital stays.

Inspired by her own parents, who first met in The Savoy Cinema in County Down during the 1980s, Katie is preparing to run the 10K in aid of the Appeal as a cause that is both professionally and personally close to her heart.

Katie said: “My parents met at a cinema in the 1980s when my dad was working as a projectionist and my mum worked on the sweet stall, so I’ve always believed in the power of cinema to bring people together. When the opportunity came up to work on the MediCinema development, I jumped at it.

“I’m a regular runner, but this 10K will be interesting and I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t feeling a bit nervous. I’ve recently undergone surgery and have been recovering from that, but I haven’t let this get in the way of my fundraising.”

Despite this, Katie has already raised just under £1,300, far exceeding her original £50 target, with much of the support coming from colleagues and contractors involved in delivering the MediCinema.

Despite this, Katie has already raised just under £1,300, far exceeding her original £50 target, with much of the support coming from colleagues and contractors involved in delivering the MediCinema.

Katie added: “The support has been incredible and so many of the people I’ve been working with on the project have donated, which makes it even more meaningful.

“It means so much to me to be able to contribute towards the MediCinema Appeal. I can’t wait to see patients walk into the space for the first time. It’s going to completely change what people expect from a hospital environment – I think it’s going to blow people away!”.

Katie hopes the space will help to de-stigmatise hospital experiences for both children and adults, providing families with a sense of normality and time together during long hospital stays.

Speaking on her vision for the MediCinema, Katie said: “I really believe this will make a difference to patients across Manchester. It’s about creating moments of joy and escape when people need it most, helping hospital stays to feel less intimidating.”

Antonia Merrick, Events Manager at MFT Charity says: “The Great Manchester Run is one of our favourite times of year and it’s a lovely opportunity for people to come together in the name of fundraising and run through Manchester City Centre.

“It’s especially inspiring to see people like Katie, who has played such a key role in the MediCinema development, helping to bring it to life for patients across Manchester sooner. Every pound raised moves us closer to opening the cinema doors and creating something truly special for patients and families.”