Arthur Rank Hospice has crossed the start line in their run up to the Ely Festive 5K and the Charity is appealing for help from the town’s residents and businesses. This year, the fun run takes on a revised 5km route around the historic city as participants put their best - often fancy dressed feet forward - to raise money for the Cambridgeshire Hospice’s vital end of life care services.
The Charity is appealing for volunteers who are available to help at the Sunday 22 November event, between 10am and 1pm. Twenty five to 30 individuals are needed to help with tasks such as setting up gazebos before the fun run starts, handing out medals and water, or marshalling the route. Could you help point Rudolf or a clan of snowmen in the right direction?!
Additionally they are keen to secure one or two of the town’s businesses or organisations to donate mulled wine and/or mince pies: the weather has not always been kind, so something warm to look forward to, is always appreciated by runners and supporters on the day!
The 5K fun run welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and is chip-timed, starting next to the Farmers Market in the Market Square at 11am, with participants completing the route by latest 1pm. There will be prizes for fastest male and female runner, the best fancy dress and the fastest team, with those taking part receiving a Santa’s hat and a finisher’s medal.
Donna Talbot, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, adds: “This is such a great event to be involved in and, the team – including all our volunteers – are always smiling, and often laughing out loud at the brilliant efforts put in by the fun runners. We have had some fantastic outfits including last year’s piece of Christmas cake, alongside Rudolf and his sleigh, which broke half way round and had to be carried to the finish by half a dozen snowmen! We love it when the businesses and residents of Ely to get involved, so please get in touch if you think you can help in any way.”
The event is family orientated, with a pushchair-friendly route and it is rumoured that Santa Claus will make his annual appearance too, as long as you can spot him among the sea of Santa hats!
If you would like to take part in the run itself, the pre-event registration cost is £11 for adults and £8 for children. Registration on the day increases the £15 for adults and children alike.
Online registration is open until 20 November here http://www.arhc.org.uk/Ef5k-register.asp with postal forms available by calling 01223 723115 (to be returned to the Hospice by 18 November).
Further details about Ely Festive 5K here: http://www.arhc.org.uk/ely-festive-5k.asp
You can follow the latest news and ‘join’ the event with other runners by clicking the Facebook Event page here
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