Volunteers needed to support Purple Elephant Bath Half runners

Volunteer ‘cheerers’ and ‘goody bag-givers’ are needed to join Frome-based charity Purple Elephant in supporting their sponsored runners at this year’s Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 16th March.

With 10 individuals running to raise money for this popular family support charity, Purple Elephant is looking for a lively group of people to cheer the volunteer athletes on from the sidelines as they take part in the event, then offer them congratulations and hand out goody bags afterwards.   

Service manager Sue Willis said, “Runners always tell us how the cheering and encouragement of the crowd makes all the difference to keeping on going.  So that’s all we’re looking for, really cheery people in full voice, ready to help our runners over the finish line.  We can arrange lift-shares into the race site for those who are local too.”

Team Purple Elephant’s ten runners, raising money this year, include a builder who specialises in adaption work to assist disabled people to remain in their own homes, a video and events business owner, a pre-and post-natal fitness instructor and a Bath University PhD student.

With varying levels of running experience, ranging from those who have run full marathons to those doing this for the very first time, they are all determined to make the distance, come what may.   

Solo parent and first-timer Sarah, said, “It’s hard finding time to train but I’ll push through and will have a very hot bath and take some Nurofen after the big event!”   

Regular parkrun enthusiast Andrew, shared his motivation to keep the speed up. He said, “Some of my favourite runs are the ones with our dog Flora, who, let’s be honest, is the fastest of us all.”

With just days to go before the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 16th March, Purple Elephant charity is asking the public to take a moment to donate to the team’s sponsorship fundraising page. The simplest way to do this is online, via the home page of their website www.purpleelephant.org.uk

Those who would like to volunteer to be there in person cheering the runners on are asked to email Purple Elephant Family Support on info@purpleelephant.org.uk  for details and timings.