PURPLE Elephant, the local family support charity, has received a financial boost after two local runners raised over £1,200 for the charity at the Bath Half Marathon.
Charity volunteer Radek Evans was joined by Zoe Cole to take part in the race on Sunday 15th October and Radek decided to raise awareness of Purple Elephant by dressing as their mascot, Dumbo! The total raised by both runners is £1,249 at the time of writing.
The charity’s founder, Sue Willis, has thanked Radek and Zoe for their efforts. “We were so proud and impressed when Radek and Zoe first stepped up to take on this challenge – committing themselves to training in order to help our charity,” she said.
“We already thought they were superstars and they made our hearts sing on the big day, but now we are utterly blown away by their success. We can hardly believe how much they have raised! Our thanks go to all who sponsored as well as to our amazing runners.
“We are already taking names of those interested in running for us in March 2024. Please do get in touch if you think being part of the next Bath Half Marathon is for you. Would-be runners can contact us on info@purpleelephant.org.uk.”
Radek says that despite being dressed head-to-toe in as Dumbo he enjoyed the event. “I managed to finish in 2hr.36 mins and considering I stopped to high-five as many people as possible, I am quite proud of the time,” he said. “The day was amazing and it was great seeing the reaction by kids to my costume. There was only 15 of us in costume at the race but I think I was the only one who was completely covered including my head which made it a bit more difficult.”
Radek was born, and lives with, Klinefelter Syndrome, a relatively rare genetic condition which affects both muscle strength and co-ordination, making training for, and ultimately completing, the Bath Half Marathon a very tough ask indeed.
He added, “When I passed a few runners they would say, ‘I can’t believe we are being overtaken by an elephant!’ and I would reply that I needed to pick up speed so Dumbo could fly.
“I’m planning to run again in 2024 – whether that’s in the Dumbo outfit that remains to be seen! I’m trying to get another half marathon in towards the end of the year as I want to raise £1,000 just by myself so I’m hoping that I can raise more money that way. I’m considering running from Westbury to Nunney and back if there isn’t another local half marathon.”
Zoe added, “I moved to Frome in February 2022 and was not anticipating the sheer enthusiasm for community and support the entire town holds. Moving from a bigger city where you have to work hard to find focus groups and family aid, it was refreshing to see how approachable and encouraged these groups were here.
“I feel like Purple Elephant really encapsulates that, and then to be helping families and children who may be facing disadvantages is just admirable and a cause I feel very strongly for. Here’s to a world full of more inclusion and opportunities for vulnerable children and families!”
Money raised for Purple Elephant will help ensure that the charity continues to provide vital services for disadvantaged families in Frome. Established in 2015, originally to run the one, annual Children’s Festival event, this small but very active charity has grown to now run stay-and-play sessions, a child-to-adult befriending services, free holiday activities with hot meals, an early-years parent support advice service and the Frome Toy Library with its pre-school sessions and toy-lending service.
Its work, based in the ethos that all children should have the same opportunities to learn and have fun, and with its focus firmly on a commitment to support social inclusion and integration in the community, means Purple Elephant spend time with a very diverse group of families, some facing the toughest of challenges – so anyone stepping up to fundraise within the community is something very much welcomed by the team.
If you would like to donate, visit https://localgiving.org/fundraising/DumboBathHalf/ for Radek’s page and https://localgiving.org/ fundraising/zoesbathhalf/ for Zoe’s page.