Sponsor money raised by the seventh Santa Fun Run in Telford Town Park has now been collected in and a total of £2,000 has been shared between the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Guide Dogs UK.
The festive run was organised by the Friends of Telford Town Park on 8 December 2013 and was the biggest ever attracting almost 200 runners, joggers and walkers on the day all dressed as Father Christmas.
This is the seventh year of the Santa Fun Run and it has grown every year. For the first time, the Friends linked up with volunteers from Park Run Telford, (www.parkrun.org.uk/telford) who marshalled a 5km route adding to the existing 2km route and registration and payment of sponsorship money was made available for the first time online.
To date the event has raised more than £14,000 for these two very good causes and we would like to thank everyone who took part and all of the local companies – Asda, and Waitrose who supported the event by providing mince pies and Closer to The Edge (Park rope course operator) who donated experience vouchers for the raffle.
Emma Long, RNIB Regional Community Fundraising Manager, Midlands & Anglia said: Thank you so much to the Friends of Telford Town Park for supporting RNIB for another year and for raising £1,000. Their continued support is very much appreciated by our service users, volunteers and staff at RNIB. Congratulations to all of the participants who took part in the run and thank you for raising much needed sponsorship to help blind and partially sighted people. Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.
On hearing news about the cheque, local guide dog owner Eleanor Roberts said “people say a dog is a man’s best friend. I say a guide dog is a visually impaired person’s soul mate. Without people raising funds like this I would not have my current guide dog Woody and the freedom that he gives me. I can’t thank people enough for their support.”
Cheques for £1,000 each were presented to Rachel Evans, local volunteer with RNIB and Rowland Brown from Guide Dogs UK on 19 March.
The 2014 Santa Fun Run event will be taking place on Sunday 7 December. Registration will be available online from August onwards.
Left to right – Janice Williams, Friends Public Relations Manager, Rachel Evans, RNIB local volunteer. Front Rowland Brown and Daniel, Guide Dogs UK.
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