TEN local people will run the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 17th March to raise funds for the local family and children support charity, Purple Elephant.
The charity says, “All ten runners have been facing the cold, wet weather to prepare themselves for the big day, including NHS worker, Angela Bishop, who is squeezing in her runs between busy shift work and looking after two boisterous children. Angela was accompanied at training by her dogs until recently, when it seems they decided during a 15km run last week that the distance was too far! However, Angela is continuing the regime minus her pets and tells us she is still running because, she said, ‘Although it was a very tough run indeed in the rain, the rainbow after was worth it!’
“Anyone looking to support individual runners Adam Way, Joe Barry, Sarah Fivash, Angela Bishop, Malissa Thompson, Neil Willis, Radek Evans, Sam Smith, David Smith or Aaron Hooper in the Bath Half, can donate to their individual fundraisers via the link on Purple Elephant’s Facebook page. To offer your support to all these amazing people and wish them well on their run as they raise money for Purple Elephant, a donation for all runners can be given via the ‘Donate to Support Us’ button on the homepage of our website www.PurpleElephant.org.uk
“In addition to donations, the charity is actively seeking annual corporate sponsors, such as those currently supporting it to provide both practical help and joy for Frome folk. So far this year, the sponsors include Tall Trees Kindergarten for the Small Steps early years early intervention service. Now in their second year of working with Purple Elephant, the kindergarten’s purpose and common interest in the importance of looking after children and providing a great start in life for all, is of course, a natural fit for the charity.
“Now gifting for a wonderful fourth year, locally-based Dennis Maps, one of the world’s leading map printers, continues to be a vital and valued all-service sponsor, for which Purple Elephant is most grateful.
“The charity wishes to express how valuable the support of local people, organisations and businesses is. Nationally grant funding is harder to access than at any time in the past decade so sponsoring in all its forms is vital to enable charities, such as Purple Elephant, to support families, some of whom have referred to their services as a ‘lifeline’.
“Families currently supported by the charity include those experiencing domestic abuse, those impacted by living in temporary accommodation, frequently lacking even basic facilities, as well as many parents and carers dealing with the complexities and associated challenges of children with additional needs and disabilities.”
If you would like to sponsor a Bath Half runner, are part of a group who would like to fundraise and donate to Purple Elephant or if you work for a company looking to become a highly-valued business sponsor, the charity would love you to get in touch via their social media or their website www.PurpleElephant.org.uk
