Charity runs away with support from local MP and Lord Mayor.
One charity’s efforts to recruit over 400 entrants for a local fun run have received a major boost thanks to a well attended launch reception.
The League of Friends For The John Taylor Hospice has won the Cookes Furniture Team Trophy 4 times for raising the most money in a good cause in the Great Midlands Fun Run in Sutton Coldfield.
In an attempt to win for a fifth time and raise funds for patients with life threatening illnesses, they are hoping to attract over 400 adults and children, wheelchair entrants and dogs to wal k, jog or run the event on Sunday 31st May.
To launch this massive recruitment effort,the Charity held a reception at St Barnabas Church Centre in High Street, Erdington attended by over 70 people including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Shafique Shah, local MP Jack Dromey, the director of The Great Midlands Fun Run, Tracey Spare, event ambassador Jane Sutton – mother of teenage fundraiser Stephen Sutton – and Erdington Councillor Bob Beauchamp, together with representatives of companies and family groups planning to take part.
Mr Dromey has offered to take part for a third time, having raised £1,500 in sponsorship in 2014. This time however he announced that is aiming to increase this to £2,500. He spoke of care given to both of his parents in hospices and praised the work of front line staff. Lord Mayor also pledged to raise a city council group to back the League of Friends when his term of office expires this year.
It is hoped that a team from Jaguar Landrover in Solihull will also be joining the League of Friends team for the first time.
Ray Woods, who co-ordinates the charity’s entry for this event said, “We were delighted to see so many old and new friends there. In 2014 we were supported by over 200 entrants, so to aim for 400 is a big ask. The announcements from Jack Dromey MP and the Lord Mayor Councillor Shah were a huge boost however for our morale however and I know that in turn this has encouraged companies and families to work even harder to boost numbers.
“We supply free tee shirts, running vests and even dog vests! For companies and those family groups who may wish to remember a loved one, we also co-brand shirts with their own team name.” mWe would love to hear from anyone interested in joining us on yet another fun day. it is very important however that they register their entry as soon as possible as places are filling up rapidly.”
Entry forms are available at the Resource Centre in Grange Road, Erdington Tel: 0121 350 8556 or entries can be made online at www.greatmidlandsfunrun.com by selecting the ‘League of Friends For John Taylor Hospice’ as their good cause.
More details of the work of the charity can be found at www.johntaylorhospicelof.org.uk or on their Facebook page at ‘johntaylorhospicelof’
